Hobie Bait Tank Problem - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tagyak · 02-22-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveoh

Or it won't turn on until I keep turning the switch on and off many times.

i went out last weekend and b/f i did i checked my switch on my hobie tank. it didn't turn on. i rechecked my battery and verified that it was fully charged using a volt meter. then i looked to see the wires were connected and not hanging.
once i did these checks i started to fiddle around with the pull switch on the outside of the tank. i noticed that if i pulled it out fully it would not turn on. but if i pulled it out gently and partially it would.
i know that there are issues with this on the hobie tanks with corrosion but i spray everything down with fresh water after each time i go out and apply electrical grease on the switch, but it seems that the problem in further inside the switch where i can't reach.
in the mean time i am able to use my tank by pulling the switch out partly and making sure that i don't bump into it while fishing. i have to remind myself that if it is too quiet on the water then i better check on my bait tank. last sunday i had to restart my bait tank a couple of times.

zinkysd · 02-22-2011, 08:46 AM

Try soaking your switch in vinegar for about an hour. I had the same problem and the vinegar did the trick.

Ken
Team Dana Point Jet Ski

tagyak · 02-22-2011, 11:13 AM

hi ken,

how do you take off the switch? i had tried to unscrew the chrome knob but it won't give.
what is it that i am missing to do?

tim

steveoh · 02-22-2011, 12:04 PM

Thanks for everyones input. My switch is doing the same thing....if I fiddle around with it and pull it halfway, then the pump will work (sometimes;( ) and if it's pulled all the way out (like it's suppose to) then nothing happens. My tank is about 2 years old and I haven't used it that much and I wash it down with fresh water and grease everything I can...I guess I have to pick up a new switch. Has anyone put a different switch on their tank, as I don't want to keep replacing it if Hobie's switch design sucks.

mtnbykr2 · 02-22-2011, 12:34 PM

as everyone has said the switch is the culprit, the contacts inside rot away, thus allowing you to get it to run in certain positions. it will runn on and off in this condition, West Marine has the new switch usually in stock, at this point it is futile to do anything with that existing switch, time to replace...mine lasted about two years as well and it was well rinsed every outing...just wear and tear of the saltwater....b

Nic D · 02-22-2011, 04:42 PM

JUST went through this with both my tank and my fathers tank. I bought new switches at West and was able to fix my dads tank. My pump had already gone south which was really weird.

You can always take it to OEX and let the boyz fix ya up.

mike m · 02-22-2011, 05:14 PM

Your problem is the switch. They are the weakest part of the system. I had the same problem, thought it was the battery, bought a new battery and still had the problem. I changed the switch and the problem went away. The only other problem I have had is sometimes kelp can get caught in the pump and stop it. If this happens you have to clear the pump.

02-22-2011, 08:46 AM	#2
zinkysd Hobie Fishing Team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 145	Try soaking your switch in vinegar for about an hour. I had the same problem and the vinegar did the trick. Ken Team Dana Point Jet Ski __________________

02-22-2011, 05:14 PM	#7
mike m Junior Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 17	hobie switch Your problem is the switch. They are the weakest part of the system. I had the same problem, thought it was the battery, bought a new battery and still had the problem. I changed the switch and the problem went away. The only other problem I have had is sometimes kelp can get caught in the pump and stop it. If this happens you have to clear the pump.

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02-22-2011, 11:13 AM	#3
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	hi ken, how do you take off the switch? i had tried to unscrew the chrome knob but it won't give. what is it that i am missing to do? tim

02-22-2011, 12:04 PM	#4
steveoh Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: La Mirada Posts: 52	Thanks for everyones input. My switch is doing the same thing....if I fiddle around with it and pull it halfway, then the pump will work (sometimes;( ) and if it's pulled all the way out (like it's suppose to) then nothing happens. My tank is about 2 years old and I haven't used it that much and I wash it down with fresh water and grease everything I can...I guess I have to pick up a new switch. Has anyone put a different switch on their tank, as I don't want to keep replacing it if Hobie's switch design sucks.

02-22-2011, 12:34 PM	#5
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	as everyone has said the switch is the culprit, the contacts inside rot away, thus allowing you to get it to run in certain positions. it will runn on and off in this condition, West Marine has the new switch usually in stock, at this point it is futile to do anything with that existing switch, time to replace...mine lasted about two years as well and it was well rinsed every outing...just wear and tear of the saltwater....b

02-22-2011, 04:42 PM	#6
Nic D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Clairemont Posts: 813	JUST went through this with both my tank and my fathers tank. I bought new switches at West and was able to fix my dads tank. My pump had already gone south which was really weird. You can always take it to OEX and let the boyz fix ya up.