Hey all,
I'm just wondering the difference between these two switches. I am new to boating and have always wondered what was what and which One to use when?? Also do either of these switches pump in water to help fill up the livewell? Thanks in advance for the insight.
Aerator pumps water into the livewells. Hydro air is just a bubbler.
I run the aerator to fill the well. Then put it on timer so it dumps some new water in once in a while. Water doesn't get very warm here. I run the hydro air when the boat is on the trailer.
Mountain Home ChamP 181
Run hydro at all times and timer on the aerator for fresh water!
The newer Champs do not have a timer that you can set. It is automatic when either switch is set to the auto position.
If water temps are not too high, I run the aerator on manual to fill and switch to auto while fishing. I run Hydro on auto if lake temps are hot and when on trailer.
Have a 187 champion with the Hydo air pump not working. Question do I have to remove the gas tank to remove access pannel to get to the pump?
The panel is hard to remove because it is between the gas tank and the wall in front of the tank, but it can be removed without removing the tank. On my 1998 187, it's an aluminum plate and has a couple holes in it for the wiring to the battery charger. I pryed the panel up over the lip of the back hatch. It will come up and is removable, but you need to be careful. Then you can access the hydro and aerator pumps.Originally Posted by Fishing 44
And while you are at it replumb it so next time you raise the back deck lid you can look straight down and see those pumps. That's the way my 197 was and it makes it much easier to keep an eye on them.
Fishing 44 welcome to the forum. I used to live in Topeka. Lots of good folks and info here.
GETFISHED !!!
Welcome Fishing 44! Glad you joined us. What year is your 187? Great boat, for sure!!!
I encountered the same issue like many others. My solution was to take a saw zaw and open up the wiring holes for the battery charger and was able to get to the pumps.
1998 ChampioN 203
1998 Mercury 225 EFI
NO, NO, NO!!!! Hydro simply bubbles (aerates) water in the well. Aerator brings water in and out. SO...if you run hydro and aerator at same time, all you are doing is sending freshly bubbled (aerated) water into the lake! Use Hydro when on trailer waiting for weigh-in...or when water temps are too high and you don't want to bring in more hot water (via "Aerate") from the lake.Run hydro at all times and timer on the aerator for fresh water!
I am not sure why these folks decided to label these functions as "Aerator" and "Hydro". Misleading. Should read "recirc" instead of aerate and "aerate" instead of hydro.
Hi Lea, do you know where I might find a brochure on a 1996 186. I can not read the labeling on the two rheostats switches so I don't know which is which. Thanks for your help
Hello Lea, I have a 2003 dc 187 that I need to remove gas tank in order to gain access to livewells so I can install a pumpout. I am unable to fit tank out of rear deck compartment. Was the gas tank installed before the cap was put on. Thank you for any suggestions
186basschamp and txsriggd, your posts are sort of lost in a thread about other odds and ends, so not sure if the guys who can help will see them.
186bc, I don't know what a rheostat is, but I hope a 186 owner will be along to help. The brochure does not give that info. An owner's manual might, but I don't know who has one. BBC member, Wags, owns a 186 and might help
txs, Welcome to BBC!!! the tank can be removed, but it won't be easy. Some guys have been talking about tank removal in other threads. Your answer might be there.
If you both don't get your answers from this thread, begin NEW threads with your subject line identifying what you need help with....
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