Poly2096 Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Hi all. I have read all topics on this and there is too much info so just a quick qn. I am building my own bait tank that is removable from the boat each time (it’s not my boat) and my question to you is should I get a separate battery for the tank (say a small 12v battery) or should I connect it to the boats battery? We have a 4.5m poly with single battery setup. Also does anyone know a good solution for incorporating an on/off switch into the electrics for the live bait tank so that I can switch it on/off whenever I want without having to disconnect from battery. Thnks a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigma Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 5 minutes ago, Poly2096 said: Hi all. I have read all topics on this and there is too much info so just a quick qn. I am building my own bait tank that is removable from the boat each time (it’s not my boat) and my question to you is should I get a separate battery for the tank (say a small 12v battery) or should I connect it to the boats battery? We have a 4.5m poly with single battery setup. Also does anyone know a good solution for incorporating an on/off switch into the electrics for the live bait tank so that I can switch it on/off whenever I want without having to disconnect from battery. Thnks a lot Hi Poly2096, First of all, you didn't tell us if you have a dual or single battery system on the boat? Do you have a dashboard (will this be a permanent thing although its removable) where you could install a switch. Cheers Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Depends on how much power it draws. What motor/pump are you using? heres mine https://imgur.com/a/5kEjTG4 i hook up to battery directly via a ctek plug. I’ve added a 2 mode power switch, a infinite relay so I get have it turn on for 30 seconds then off for 60 seconds. Also has a pulse width modulation controller so I can slow the motor down and use less power. Uses 2amps on slow. I only turn it up to full when a squid dumps it’s ink. make sure you add a fuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 What size and amount of bait are you wanting to keep ? Simply pumping air into water won't keep many species alive for very long, most need a fresh clean supply of water. Yakkas and mullet are reasonably tough but things can go wrong very quickly in water quality killing the lot. Even our 140lt tank at home has two filters and two pumps, which we only use for small species we keep occasionally for bigger sea life aquariums ( under permit). Not wanting to dampen your plans, simply trying to save you money, effort and time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 Thanks a lot guys. To answer your questions. Dave - single battery system. I have a dashboard yes but was leaning towards just incorporating a switch near the battery rather than a dash. Obviously this won’t be as good as having it dash mounted though but that’s ok. Raging - I was going to get a rule 500gph bilge pump. Or 750. The comments re Johnson pumps on this forum seem to suggest they give up a bit too early. I’ve seen a lot of people say add a fuse. Dumb qn but how do I do this (I’ve never done any electrics before so I’m just having a crack) jon - enough for a days fishing roughly. So a dozen tanka’s, slimes, squid etc. I was going to use a 60l plastic barrel 3/4 full. The bilge pump will pump fresh water into the barrel and the overflow outlets will take out the old water. That’s my plan xheers for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Sorry I may of misunderstood, thought you were wanting to keep them alive at home when the tank was removed from the boat. With my removable livebait tank I have a fuse in the positive wire, an on off switch can also be placed in this line from about $7 upwards. I also only run a single boat battery but do carry a very small lithium jumpstart battery. I've pull started outboards to 115hp so don't see the need for extra weight a loss of space on my small boat. Also I rarely just run a pump all day without running the engine to put power back into the battery, infact due to where I fish my engine tends to run 90% of the time. If I was running the tank at night with other lights etc then a small portably battery would be carried for the bait pump. Did you see the video of the one I made for my boat ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 I dont think I did jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattyau Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) i have wired a 12V Waterproof Lighter Socket Outlet and mounted that onto the boat and use that for things that are portable when you make your livewell just put a Male Car Cigarette Lighter Socket on the end of it and you can plug it in when needed or use it in the back of your car if ur fishing from your 4wd or something or if u simply just want to be able to turn it on and off just put a switch across the active/red wire. Edited December 31, 2018 by Mattyau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Poly2096 said: I dont think I did jon I made a video as it was easier to explain for a Pomy mate on another forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 Thanks Jon. Do you have any drawing of how the electrics would work? This is the bit I am struggling with. Positive and negative wires from bilge to fuse to on/off switch to battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Negative of pump to negative of battery. positive of pump - to switch, then switch to fuse, then fuse to positive of battery 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Just as raging said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 Nice thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 And to confirm. Everyone reckons connecting to existing battery in boat is fine or bring separate battery? And if connecting to battery In boat is there a quick way? I’ve read alligator clips rust easily. But I want to try and have a solution that is easy on easy off. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 It will be fine. But if you want to see the theory, the pump will have the amp draw likely 2amp for a 500gph pump, then look at your battery spec for its amp hour capacity. Use clips or anderson plug or sae plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 It will be fine. But if you want to see the theory, the pump will have the amp draw likely 2amp for a 500gph pump, then look at your battery spec for its amp hour capacity. Use clips or anderson plug or sae plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 It will be fine. But if you want to see the theory, the pump will have the amp draw likely 2amp for a 500gph pump, then look at your battery spec for its amp hour capacity. Use clips or anderson plug or sae plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 And whilst I’ve got you guys cause you have been a huge help, what do you reckon about size of barrel? The boat is a 4.5m poly with a 50hp 4 stroke. So it’s well powered but not heaps of power. So I’m trying to balance size of live bait well without adding too much weight. I’ve seen a 35l barrel at Bunnings which seems ok but maybe too small? I’ve seen a 60l barrel at my local pool store. But this seems too big. Do you think 35l will be ok? Bearing in mind it won’t have 35l capacity as I won’t be filling To the top. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raging Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Depends on how much bait you want to keep mines an old 36l esky with about 25 litres of working water. That’s enough room for 15 squid or 20 yakkas which does me. Haven’t had anything die yet, but when full I have pump always on. 60 is heavy, it’s another person on board. Make sure you have a way to empty it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) I have two batteries in my current and previous boat with the simple 1, 2 or 1 and 2 set up. I have a live bait tank in each boat the first had 360gph and the 2nd boat has 500gph. I only ever have one battery switched on and have never needed to switch over but it is nice piece of mind. Edited December 31, 2018 by Welster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattyau Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 8 hours ago, Poly2096 said: Thanks Jon. Do you have any drawing of how the electrics would work? This is the bit I am struggling with. Positive and negative wires from bilge to fuse to on/off switch to battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly2096 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 fantastic thanks. Today is the day. Going to have a go at building it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 good luck and hope you post a pic for all to see please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishop Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 22 hours ago, JonD said: I made a video as it was easier to explain for a Pomy mate on another forum. JonD where did you get that drum from? It looks like a perfect size for my boat. What are the dimensions if you dont mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Fishop said: JonD where did you get that drum from? It looks like a perfect size for my boat. What are the dimensions if you dont mind me asking? Local farm produce centre, I believe they are used olive drums ($20 each ). Check out gumtree and you will find them from $10. Edited January 1, 2019 by JonD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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