Here is what I've come up with.

 

200mm Stormwater pipe (free)

 

big funnel $4 from the Clearance Warehouse off Lincoln Rd Auckland cut down to size to fit tight. Standard 28mm bilge pump pipe $2 per foot at Burnsco

 

Use the inner most marks on the funnel plus another for a good fit.

 

 

Note: no 90 degree bends giving maximum flow from 1100 gph bilge pump $28 from Silverdale Marine

 

2" collar cut from pipe and a slice cut out of the ring to fit inside tube. Pop rivet in - this is to hold the funnel and seal with a generous amount of silicon around the collar. Pull the funnel into the silicon tightly and leave to set. Back fill behind to get a good bond.

 

 

A 40mm bend outlet and another as an exhaust away from the bilge pump inlet to stop bubbles.

 

The bilge pump on its side works well and is pumping clear water and all is underwater preventing overheating. The 90degree bend vents aerated water away from the pump inlet.

 

 

The working trial off a battery charger. 28mm inlet and a 40mm outlet is perfect and stays at this level all of the time. No bubbles which I am to believe is a big no no and kills the bait.

 

 

Outlet in action running in only 3" water really aerating the live well too.

 

 

 

This is the pick up arrangement for replenishing the live well - all from the irrigation dept at Bunnings

19mm 90 degree bends pointing forward. The mount is a bait board offcut silicon glued to the tramsom.

 

 

The on/off/regulator switch on the inside

 

 

 

Like the idea and it looks tidy too. 

I leave the bung open and the pickup replenishes what goes out, once the level goes up then gravity pressure forces more out keeping the level static.

 

Yes, you notice the weight once filled but not as much as a mate standing at the stern. The boat is relatively wide beamed for its size and well supported at the stern so I am not concerned about the weight.

 

The weight concerned might be the difference between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke on the back.

 

I have heard that it is critical to not get any bubbles at all within the stream from the pump to the tube other wise they will die. If you are picking up from under the hull into the bilge pump you may get some air or turbulence forced in.

 

I'm trying to use the livewell as a sump and recirculate as an option. I deliberately put no 90degree fittings nor shut off valves that will affect flow - so its direct 29mm pipe through 29mm funnel with only a gentle bend in the pipe. Research says that a 90 degree bend in the system can reduce the flow by as much as 40% and its volume rather than force needed.

 

I think venting the exhaust down and away from the pump made a really big difference rather than re-pumping turbulent water when I had it overflowing directly from the top bend before I put the downspout. It used to surge when pumping and now its solid with the 40 outlet pipe full with water.

 

I played around with this one until I got zero bubbles so I will see what it does in real life. It pumps a heap of water.

 

Keep you posted with what I find.

 

 

Good idea Kevin and now that I am running it on its side I can do it plus it will be inside the pipe and not take up extra space in the tank.

4 32mm holes around the bottom to prime the pump seems to be ok. I made these away from the suction end of the pump, again to avoid turbulence and bubbles. 

 

I reckon its taking 20% less time to fill up so it must equate to increased flow. The exhaust works great and its impossible to overflow even with the hose pipe in the tube as well and seems to aerate the livie tank well.

 

 

 

Now to use the magic glue and make permanent. I might put another clamp at the top of the exhaust to protect it from the crew (son) - its only silicon glued in. You wouldn't believe just what he can break in a silly misuse kind of way. 

 

Just for the record and for sharing with others what problems were you encountering?