Ranger RT188 Livewell Controls EXPLAINED (Pump In/Pump Out/Recirc) || Aluminum Bass Boat Livewell

On todays video I explain the livewell controls on my Ranger RT188. Several people had asked me to do a video showing the proper way to work all thge controls. Once you figure them out they are extremely easy to use and keep your fish alive and healthy!! #gunnfishtv #bassfishing #livewellcontrols

[@ChattownJuicyJ]

I’ve had my boat 2 years now and it took me a minute to figure out this system. Honestly didn’t even know about the pump out feature till I just watched your video. Man that’s gonna make life a lot easier. Great video!

[@beexiong3946]

I just bought a new boat. They never walked my through the whole Livewell system. I'm glad I found your video. I will be testing the system on today. Thanks for this useful video!

[@joelambert1676]

Good job. I have been a boat owner for over 40 years and when I bought this boat the live well pump was confusing to me. I figured it out finally, but I saw a lot of comments that people did not understand how to use.

[@robertknorr8470]

Excellent video . I have had my RT188P for 4 years, and never quite understood how the system works. Great explanation. THANKS .

[@GunnFishTV]

No problem!!

[@joelfortney]

Dude, thank you. Bought used, was totally confused on the water, this saved the day. Walleye for dinner.

[@GunnFishTV]

No problem!

[@perrycorbett6846]

Dealer never explained mine, had to figure it out on my own, great job dude🤘🤘🤘

[@dustindegrand5735]

THANK YOU! I could only get water to pump out. It was driving me crazy!! I just wanted to fill manually instead of gravity feed. Now I know!! You got a sub from me for this tip.

[@GunnFishTV]

Thanks man!! And no problem!

[@fabfishing7422]

Thank you Brother!! Just bought a 2018 Ranger rt198 and I had NO IDEA what that switch was for...I do now! Thanks again Bro!

[@GunnFishTV]

No problem man!

[@fabfishing7422]

@@GunnFishTV 😎👍

[@johnklein5128]

Just bought a boat with flowright system and couldn't figure it out thanks for your explanation it answers everything

[@gabejudah]

I love your channel so much. There is so much awesome content: boat stuff, multispecies stuff, kid stuff. I have an RT198P coming to my garage next week. It's awesome to learn about all this stuff before I get the boat. Thank you!

[@GunnFishTV]

Your welcome sir....I appreciate it! You will like your new Boat for sure!

[@J810MFG]

Glad I stumbled on this, bought a RT198p a few months ago, never knew about the pump out feature! Thanks! 🍻

[@GunnFishTV]

No problem! Congrats on the new boat!

[@gregorysakimura6254]

Super helpful! New Ranger 198p owner. Thanks!!!

[@kevinrhoades5372]

Thanks for the info. I have a Vexus AVX 1980 with the same system and it was never explained like that. Makes sense now.

[@HVASEA]

Good video... Wish I watched this when I got my new to me Ranger boat. Thanks

[@Zeno1819]

Great explanation. Thank you.

[@raydongreen]

Great video Sir, this helped me out a ton!!

[@nwdrifterpnw2514]

Great explanation! Much appreciated!!

[@bowdzbeaudoin5770]

Awesome video man ! Thanks !

[@bigfish8473]

Awsome. Like to see you fry up some back straps

[@kevinmayton9317]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you it makes sense now

[@pattibantam6769]

Thank you. So helpful.

[@danielmckeen2465]

What's up!!!Good information😁

[@tripster003]

Just saw this. Very informative

[@GunnFishTV]

Thank you

[@JoeBelmonte]

I have the same boat up in NY. Cool video.

[@GunnFishTV]

Thanks!

[@Dopefishingj]

Great info for a beginner!!!!!

[@jonej5884]

If the summer time if your going to recirulate the water you need to add alittle ice an catch and release formula or the water could get to hot,and some fish might die,my boat is a 05 triton idk maybe the new boats live wells dont need ice,allways catch & release,good vidios and fishing as allways

[@bobbortzfield911]

You should be a Ranger dealer, they don't even explain the Live Well that much, great content Kevin, I have a 2015 tracker 190 same live well as a ranger but only mine is controlled by toggle switches and I have to live well one in the back and one in the front, the front one I use for storage where I keep my rain gear and life jackets, needless to say by the end of the day they are floating because I hit the wrong switch

[@BigGuy86ed]

Solid video!

[@JB3_fishing]

This was great!!! Thanks bud!!!

[@bryanduke430]

Great video

[@Chris351971]

good video man!!!

[@GunnFishTV]

Thanks Chris

[@geneclancejr.5276]

thanks for info brother

[@debbiescott7365]

Great information, you taught me more than the dealer. What about winterizing the livewell?

[@GunnFishTV]

You can use RV Antifreeze but you have to plug the drain on the back of the boat. Otherwise it will just run out

[@Gascan26]

Great video. Best explanation yet. What Lowrance are you using. I have questions lol.

[@arbot1]

Great info!! THanks for sharing! can't believe almost 12K views & only 261 likes, whatha, whatha, whatha???!!! C'Mon Peeps!!!

[@nova88bassin79]

Thank you for video. I have a 2022 bass tracker 175. How do I stop water from coming into my livewell on its own?

[@GunnFishTV]

If your boat has the Flow Rite valve like in the video you turn it to recirculation. That shuts off the valve so water can't come in. If you don't have that then you need a plug for the livewell

[@dougjack3532]

On my 2021 year model, I only have a open-close next to me. But in the livewell , there is the red pull out piece and a white tab 8 inches from it. What is it for.

[@spyderskipper]

Thanks!!!!

[@GunnFishTV]

No problem!

[@shyguy8240]

I have two livewells on my boat. one doesn't have the recirculation valve. How do i empty the water in? By unplugging the plastic that plugs the livewell hole in the bottom? Is this the only way then??

[@lloydjones6106]

Great job explaining- I have an rt188- I want to keep some fish in live well for short trip how do I keep water in live well?

[@GunnFishTV]

Keep the live well in recirculation mode and it will not drain

[@anellowilliam]

I have important question in order to pump water out of tank, I see it comes out of your side hole. So don't you need an extra hose and or T connection somewhere when u pull the aretor Because in all install videos it just pumps out back drain. Can you explain or maybe a detailed video for it. I cannot find one to explain that process.

[@40rpt]

Great video! But now I'm confused about the plug in the bottom of the live well (the boat RP190). I've only tried using the live well a couple of times, and I put the plug in when I did. Is it not necessary to put the plug in if you set it to recirc or auto? Now I'm thinking, based on what you discuss (about 1:10 to 1:50) that maybe the plug is supposed to keep water out when you are not using the live well at all? Sorry but I'm a total newbie to live wells. I bought the boat used and it didn't have a manual.

[@GunnFishTV]

If you put in a plug then no water at all can come in. When in recirc mode or auto it should keep water out as well. Although sometimes a slight amount will leak past the valve but overall it keeps all the water out

[@40rpt]

@@GunnFishTV Thank you sir!

[@mikeysrxharris]

If the live well is left on manual will it end up over flowing and fill boat too possibly sink

[@GunnFishTV]

No it wont. It has an overflow that keeps that from happening

[@glenedwards3038]

Thanks

[@craiglivingston5441]

If you just want fresh water instead of recirculating the water in livewell will that system with valve on auto and switch on auto timer not cut on and off and just run out overflow ???

[@GunnFishTV]

Yes it would pump in freshwater everytime the pump cut on and would go out the overflow

[@terrytheone4482]

I just got a new rt178 and the dealer didn’t show me one thing about it and it’s my first boat so any how to boat vids are welcome. Looking at mine the switch just says empty and full

[@GAV9506]

How would you keep water out would you just switch it to recirc before for you launch??

[@GunnFishTV]

That is correct. Just switch it to recirc and it keeps it from filling up

[@jerryross9928]

What do you leave the switch on if you don’t want to use the live well for the day ?Good job on the explanation.

[@GunnFishTV]

Leave the switch in the off position but the livewell control can either be on recirc or empty.....it will allow water to drain in and out if you have it on empty

[@stanleycole4096]

My rt 178c ranger 2015 Livewell continues to run. I don’t have the switch that you showed. I can I do?

[@GunnFishTV]

Sounds like you may have a switch malfunction

[@07slowbalt]

So if i wanted to keep my livewell full for the trip home say to keep my catch healthy for a long trip back then i should keep it on auto?

[@GunnFishTV]

Put it in recirculation mode instead of auto

[@charlesconnor1737]

Does the motor charge the cranking battery when running…? Thanks for the video I just got a rt178 and the dealer didn’t go over anything on the boat they told me it’s all in the manual …

[@GunnFishTV]

Yes your motor charges your cranking battery while running

[@bamadondon0495]

So to fill weigh in bag leave on recirc and manual an pull on red n then it pumps out the side(pump out)?? I have a 2005 Stratos 200 Pro XL.. I have a recirc/auto switche for both port and starboard side wells.. and this is what I've been trying to figure out since I bought it, instead of switching it to empty at the ramp and catching it at the bottom of the boat in my bag, I can hit manual on my pump and switch it to empty or recirc to pump out the side to fill my bag?

[@GunnFishTV]

That should be right yes.....that is how this boat and my Tracker both pumped out

[@bamadondon0495]

@@GunnFishTV 45 minutes later I'm back to report that yes I DO have a pump out, I pulled the red valve after filling my live well up with the hose pipe after watching your video because you dummy it down to where I could understand it, and like a fat kid in dodgeball water was shooting out the side of my boat. I'm so damn excited I can't even wait to weigh in Wednesday night just because of the fact that I don't have to get down underneath my motor to catch my water now! I've only had the boat for 5 months, but the dude did tell me it had a brand new flow rite system in it.. but Stratos boats are known for the astronomical amount of pumps and hoses and I was just stupid confused and then I looked up all the way inside there and saw that red valve on the port side and the starboard side... filled both of my livewells up with a hose pipe, put it on recirc, and put my switch on manual and water is pumping out both sides... To say I'm happy happy is an understatement, thank you for dummying that down for me. And no I'm not a new boater, this is just a new brand to me, I used to have a blazer. And it worked somewhat the same but the valves just were not so high up in the live well and hard to see like they are in this boat. So really all I had to do was just bend over a little bit more and then I saw the red valve and pulled it and water started shooting out the port side, so I filled up the starboard side live well and then pulled that one and it shot out the starboard side.. happy happy camper. Thank you for doing this video!!! 👍✌️💪🦅🇺🇲

[@GunnFishTV]

Thats awesome man. Glad I could help!! Good luck in your tournament!

[@bamadondon0495]

@@GunnFishTV hell YES man!!! Dude I'm a happy happy camper u just don't know. I feel like a dumb one too but hey .. it is what it is!!! Preciate u.. everybody stay safe this summer ✌️✌️✌️

[@bamadondon0495]

@@GunnFishTV go watch my short.. you'll laugh!! 😂🤣

[@jbcdinc]

Great video man, thanks. Have you ever had that recirc/empty/auto switch get stuck? Mine is stuck in auto .Seems like something has gotten stuck but I have no idea where that cable is running. Any Ideas?

[@GunnFishTV]

I havnt had any issues with mine. I know its a cable that runs from the switch to the pump itself

[@NytronX]

So if I don't use my livewell ever, if I just keep it on recirc will it prevent water from going in? Because right now water keeps going in the live well despite the fact I'm not using it

[@GunnFishTV]

Yes if you turn it to recirc it should close the valve not allowing water in

[@shyguy8240]

Mine has a switch for "livewell" manual/auto and a switch for recirculation manual/auto. Can i do the same as your boat just did?? I'm confused

[@GunnFishTV]

Most likely the Livewell switch is for pumping in fresh water or filling the livewell....then after the livewell is full you would then cut that off and run recirculation. Im not sure why alot of these boats are different

[@jimdrums4life499]

Good info! What if you don't want the livewell to fill up at all? I have to just plug it. Silly.

[@donlewis8171]

switch your livewell control to recirculation before you enter the water

[@jenlvjim]

I have a ranger 178 about 4 years old. Should it have pump out? I tried but doesn't pull out. Maybe it's stuck because I didn't know it did it. Any suggestions

[@GunnFishTV]

I u are heard some of the older ones .ay not have them but if your nozzle looks like mine then most likely its stuck

[@mmcnamara3408]

@@GunnFishTV You need to see if they have a through hull port for pump out.. Boats come with 1, 2 or 3 ports. They are for bilge (manual have to turn on) automatic bilge (this is supposed to run automatically with a float switch but could have a switch on the dash to override the float switch for emergency use) and the third would be for pump out. If they don't have a port and start pulling on the nozzle they do break. You can also run the automatic start and stop with the selector switch on automatic this pumps fresh water into the livewell if run on recirculate it pumps the water that is in the livewell through the system, good for G-juice ice etc. To pump out you have to be on recirculate.

[@GunnFishTV]

@@mmcnamara3408 correct it has to be on recirculate to pump out. I've seen where some rangers don't have that feature. Which his may be one of them

[@mmcnamara3408]

@@GunnFishTV true. One of the hardest things to figure out was the auto bilge pump for me. No one explained the reason why an automatic bilge had a switch.

[@MrFishhook]

How do you keep it completely dry when you wont to get rid of weight ?You said put it on empty and run boat and the water will come out . But when you stop water goes in and levels out again . Can you empty it out and leave it dry all day ?

[@GunnFishTV]

Yep....just turn your lever to recirculation and it will close off the valve so no water comes in

[@MrFishhook]

With recirc on and no water ,motor turns off ?

[@captainscottlum2371]

What about a saltwater application where you have an over flow and you need a continuous feed of new saltwater?

[@GunnFishTV]

You can leave it on Aerator and fillmode to let it pump in new water continuously. The overflow will let the water out fast enough so it doesn't overfill

[@AllenOutdoors868]

You have a keel guard on your boat. I just bought a 188 looks like it has a aluminum from ranger. Plus don't no it the guard would bend to fit

[@GunnFishTV]

I have one to put on it but havnt yet. It will work on it though. Several people have done it on these boats

[@AllenOutdoors868]

@@GunnFishTV Appreciate it!

[@duggydo]

The auto on my RT188 runs and never turns off. I guess it's broken. It was that way since it was new. I kinda figured it was broken, but I never bothered with warranty.

[@GunnFishTV]

Yea your switch or timer isn't operating properly

[@sheabarber5691]

@@GunnFishTV I had the same issue and after 2 complaints to the dealer they realized that the timer wasn't hooked up properly from the factory. I would imagine its the same issue as you have.

[@2vizslas1]

I do not want any water to come into the livewell. This can be accomplished by moving the dial to "Recirc" prior to launching, correct?

[@GunnFishTV]

Yes that is correct

[@2vizslas1]

@@GunnFishTV Thank you. This is a very informative video.

[@mikebaker1044]

Good job you are right sale you something and not show you how to operate it thanks

[@MikeGaskin-wb4mt]

When my live well is on auto after it stops and I start down the river I have to turn on my bilge pump for a minute and it pumps out water,

[@GunnFishTV]

Do you have it on Auto aerator or in Auto recirculation mode? Aerator pumps in feesh water constantly and requires the overflow to take the water out the livewell

[@loudoggfishin9185]

Have you had a issue with your livewell not working???? I have had mine only for 3 times on water. It's a 2023. It worked first time and last 2 trips and doesn't work.

[@GunnFishTV]

I havnt had any issues with mine. Does it not cut on anymore?

[@loudoggfishin9185]

I haven't looked at mine yet I been busy working I can on Sunday the 12th but it could be a fuse or the cartridge to the pump too if not the fuse

[@davidrobillard1041]

You forgot the front livewell

[@GunnFishTV]

My boat doesn't have a front livewell