Ballast system & PP

[BigBarney]

Well, after spending this weekend in the boat after my hiatus, I have a couple of questions:

1) Do you guys winterize the ballast system? For example, run any type of conditioner (like you do in a waterbed mattress) in the ballast sacs. I would think that the small amount of water left in the sacs all winter has to turn a little stag and gooey.

2) I thought that when filling up the ballast system, when the sacs get full, water begins to pour out the side thru holes in the rear. Mine did not do that this weekend. I could check the center sac, but the 2 rear sacs are behind compartments. ???

3) I know that the 2 front thru holes (1 on each side) are for emptying any water that is in the boat. But why do I have 4 thru holes (2 on each side) in the rear? I know the ballast system empties through these, but I only have 3 sacs (middle, rear left, rear right). Wouldn't I only need 3 holes?

[Workin' 4 Toys]

[QUOTE=BigBarney]Well, after spending this weekend in the boat after my hiatus, I have a couple of questions:

1) Do you guys winterize the ballast system? For example, run any type of conditioner (like you do in a waterbed mattress) in the ballast sacs. I would think that the small amount of water left in the sacs all winter has to turn a little stag and gooey.

QUOTE]

To answer this one, I would run CLEAN water through the pump and bag, then empty to your best ability. Then I would use a diluted concentration of RV eco friendly anti freeze and run through the pump and bag. Then empty as much of that I could (and dispose of waste asn required by your local municipality) this way the remnants of fluid are freeze protected. I find it nearly impossible to get rid of all the liquid inside, thats why since I know there will be liquid inside, I might as well know it won't freeze and turn into goo..

[BigBarney]

Forgot to post my question the the perfect pass.

On Saturday, the system picked up my speed and displayed it with no problem. However, on Sunday all I fot from my display was 0.0. I haven't looked under the boat to see if I have the wheel speed pickup or the tube/air system. Probably just some trash that I picked up Saturday, but just wondering if anyone had experienced a similar issue.

[TTAdmin]

Don't know about the PP...

1) You do need to winterize the ballast system.... Empty the tanks the best you can (some water left won't hurt anything). Then run enough eco friendly antifreeze to fill the tubes to the tanks.

There should be a connector on the lines to the tanks that allow you to plug in a hose that is stuck into a bottle of antifreeze. Once you have this connected you can turn the tanks on to "fill" and they will suck in antifreeze. Let this continue so enough fills the lines and then turn it off.

2) Once the tanks are full water should flow out of the holes in the rear. Try filling only one tank at a time. Water should flow out once full. If nothing is coming out it may not be filling and your pumps could have issues (impellers can go bad).

3) The 2 holes on each side in the rear are connected. Meaning that there is not one hole for each ballast. Water comes out of both regardless of the tank emptying. 1 hole would work fine but I think there are 2 for looks....

[G-man]

Second hole could be an air vent. The air needs to be displaced as the tank fills from water coming in. Air needs to come in when emptying or a vacuum would be formed.

Your on the right track, paddle wheel is bent or clogged.

[the legend]

At our shop I run antifreeze through the engine as well as the ballast system,heaters and the binding blaster, this has worked for nine years without a single failure. Regarding your thru hull fittings for your ballast each has a drain an overflow and a vent.All the tanks empty (2003-2006) thru two fittings on both sides, each has their own overflow and vent. There are two bilge pumps front and rear,thats the additional fittings.

[AIRCANX09]

Sorry all for brining back old posts, but this one somewhat applies to me. When filling (overfilling actually)my rear balast yesterday, the stem coming out of the tank became separated from the tank, lost the seal.I have the tank taken out and want to reseal. Anyone have the answer for rubber to vinyl for the best seal? Contact cement maybe?