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

Billy V · 02-21-2011, 09:01 PM

It sounds like a bad switch.

They are about $10 for a replacement. It helps if you use dielectric grease liberally on - and around the switch knob.

Be sure to use shrink tube butt connectors with adhesive when connecting the new switch wires. You want it sealed up good so water doesn't corrode the connection.

dsafety · 02-22-2011, 05:58 AM

Billy's right. I had the same problem. The tank has a 1 year warranty so if yours is less than a year old, the switch should be covered. Contact your dealer or Hobie directly.

When replacing the switch you should pick up a couple new pins for the connector plug by the battery as they are very difficult to remove from the old wire. Alternatively, you could splice the wire with a butt connector or waterproof wire nut and not mess with the pins.

As for the problem of the water draining out of the tank when the motor fails, as they say, "there is an app for that". Check the Innovations thread for a simple solution. Basically, you attach a 90 degree PVC angle connector to the pump and attach a piece of pipe to that. This routs the water input to the top of the tank and makes it so the water will not drain out through the motor.

Bob

roby · 02-22-2011, 06:52 AM

I would go with the advice given above since they have owned Hobie's for quite awhile but...

I had the same problem about a month ago. The manual for Hobie is incorrect or I'm reading it incorrectly. For the battery on the tank to be fully charged it needs to start blinking. When it's blinking then it is fully charged and is now in "trickle mode." The manual does not read like this. The second simple solution is to make sure the intake tube is pointing in the right direction when it goes through the scupper hole. It can twist about a 1/4 inch either way sometimes.

02-21-2011, 09:01 PM	#1
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	It sounds like a bad switch. They are about $10 for a replacement. It helps if you use dielectric grease liberally on - and around the switch knob. Be sure to use shrink tube butt connectors with adhesive when connecting the new switch wires. You want it sealed up good so water doesn't corrode the connection. __________________

02-22-2011, 05:58 AM	#2
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Billy's right. I had the same problem. The tank has a 1 year warranty so if yours is less than a year old, the switch should be covered. Contact your dealer or Hobie directly. When replacing the switch you should pick up a couple new pins for the connector plug by the battery as they are very difficult to remove from the old wire. Alternatively, you could splice the wire with a butt connector or waterproof wire nut and not mess with the pins. As for the problem of the water draining out of the tank when the motor fails, as they say, "there is an app for that". Check the Innovations thread for a simple solution. Basically, you attach a 90 degree PVC angle connector to the pump and attach a piece of pipe to that. This routs the water input to the top of the tank and makes it so the water will not drain out through the motor. Bob

02-22-2011, 06:52 AM	#3
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	I would go with the advice given above since they have owned Hobie's for quite awhile but... I had the same problem about a month ago. The manual for Hobie is incorrect or I'm reading it incorrectly. For the battery on the tank to be fully charged it needs to start blinking. When it's blinking then it is fully charged and is now in "trickle mode." The manual does not read like this. The second simple solution is to make sure the intake tube is pointing in the right direction when it goes through the scupper hole. It can twist about a 1/4 inch either way sometimes.