Ballast timers that ACTUALLY WORK!

[tr6coug]

First off, much thanks to Skeeler for donating some old ballast timers for experimenting with!

I finally have a ballast timer solution that works. After a few beers and some reverse engineering, I was able to rewrite the firmware that controls the ballast timer. I got rid of all of the crappy logic that they tried to use to detect when the tanks are empty. They now work as a timed switch that will fill/empty for a set amount of time then turn off. No more turning them on only to have them shut off after 5 seconds.

Now, to reprogram them is not for the feint of heart. You need to pull the timer box, remove the modules, take the modules apart, connect a programmer, reprogram, then reassemble. It also requires a special programmer and the correct firmware file. But, if anyone on here is as big of a geek about this stuff as I am, you have the tools and you want to reprogram your timers, let me know, I'll send you the file and tell you how to do it.

Here is a picture of the setup I used but you can use other programmers also.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd222/x2coug/2012-06-30_14-23-05_478Small.jpg

[Fab]

Wow, interesting but looks hard to do, even for a geek like me ;)

How do you connect the module to your reprogrammer ? need to weld some wires ? And how much for that MPLAB PM3 ?

[ttu]

what address can i send you my timers to be reprogramed? heck you can even sell the 20 minute timers i added that i can't get to program

[snork]

I have one more you can reprogram :)

[BrooksfamX2]

tr6coug reprogrammed mine and they work great. The OEM were flakey at best and now after about 25 days of actual use, they have performed flawless............:D

Hey, I think thats a picture of my timers being reprogrammed.........:cool:

[tr6coug]

Wow, interesting but looks hard to do, even for a geek like me ;)

How do you connect the module to your reprogrammer ? need to weld some wires ? And how much for that MPLAB PM3 ?

The timer has a programming port (thanks Jabsco!) on the board, so no soldering is required. the PM3 programmer is about $900, but it is WAY overkill for this application, but I have it so I use it. You can use any cheap programmer that supports Microchip products.

If anyone wants to tackle this, let me know and I'll hook you up.

tr6coug reprogrammed mine and they work great. The OEM were flakey at best and now after about 25 days of actual use, they have performed flawless............:D

Hey, I think thats a picture of my timers being reprogrammed.........:cool:

Yup, Brooks is my Guinea Pig this year.

I have one more you can reprogram :)

Cool, send me a PM.



Several people asked me about doing this for them, so I set it up on my website. www.wakeblaster.com . I think the cost is reasonable, basically covers my time for disassembly, programming, test, reassembly etc. I'm always open to trading for beer though :D

[willyt]

i hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate my timers. Any idea if this will work in the 2007 timers? I'll package them up and send tomorrow if it will... I'll even ship a case of beer to you

[ttu]

i hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate my timers. Any idea if this will work in the 2007 timers? I'll package them up and send tomorrow if it will... I'll even ship a case of beer to you

yes! i have already been in contact with eric to get rid of the damm things in my 07 x2! you will probably beat me to it since i have to get up to the storage to pull the box.:mad: hopefully this weekend.

[tr6coug]

Yup, the '07 timers are what I reprogrammed in my boat.

[197 TT]

Just curious if we will be able to adjust the fill times (like you can with stock timers) after you re-program?

[BrooksfamX2]

Yup, the '07 timers are what I reprogrammed in my boat.

...and my boat...........:D

[tr6coug]

Just curious if we will be able to adjust the fill times (like you can with stock timers) after you re-program?

Right now it is hard coded into the timer. I haven't really investigated a method to adjust times yet. I'll have to think about that and see if it could be done reliably with the switches.

What is the procedure to adjust times on the stock timers?

[BrooksfamX2]

I have a .pdf of the procedure somewhere I can send you.

Heres some info...

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=40313

and

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=25491&highlight=sacs

[willyt]

best way to go to your website and follow instructions there?

[tr6coug]

best way to go to your website and follow instructions there?

Yeah. That works. I'll email/PM you my address. I can turn them around pretty quick.

[willyt]

I'll pull them out of the boat tomorrow and send them first thing monday

[tr6coug]

I'll pull them out of the boat tomorrow and send them first thing monday

Sounds great. Just leave the 3 timers in the black box. That way you don't have to disconnect them from the 12 pin plug.

[ttu]

Eric, hope to get mine pulled out sunday. how hard is the whole box to remove. when i installed the 20 min timers i just took the cover off i believe. it's been a while:rolleyes:

[tr6coug]

First, disconnect power from the battery or turn your battery switch to OFF.

There are 2 screws that hold the timer box to the wall under the rear port seat (at least that is where it is in an X2). Remove those and the box should come free.

There will be a heavy red wire that connects to the circuit breakers and a heavy black wire that connects to the ground bus bar. Disconnect these. I suggest putting electrical tape around the cable ends as they go directly to the battery.

There should be a 12 pin plug that connects the timers to the dash switches. Unplug this.

Then disconnect the pump wires from the controllers. They should be should be orange and blue wires. you can see them in the 1st post. On my boat, I had to cut the orange and blue wires and use wire nuts to reconnect, but Brooks' box had bullet connectors that pull apart. Be sure to label the orange and blue pairs so you know how to reconnect them.

Thats about it for removal.

[ttu]

just a update, finally got the x2 out today and just wanted to give props, (non pun intended) and was able to fill and empty perfect!!!

thank you again for the great job!

[snork]

does the red light on the end of the switch work after the reprogramming
what about the auto turn off when ballast is empty

[tr6coug]

just a update, finally got the x2 out today and just wanted to give props, (non pun intended) and was able to fill and empty perfect!!!

thank you again for the great job!

Excellent! Glad I could help.

[tr6coug]

does the red light on the end of the switch work after the reprogramming
what about the auto turn off when ballast is empty

The light still works. There is no empty sensing anymore after reprogramming. When you flip the switch it runs for the programmed time then shuts off.


Also, after many requests for this, I just finished work on an update that allows you to change the run-time. So, after I reprogram them, you will be able to adjust the time yourself. It works similarly to the programming sequence that Jabsco put into the timers.

To change the time, you do the following:

1. disconnect power from the timers and wait 15 seconds.
2. reconnect power
3. within 10 seconds of powering up, flip the switch to fill
4. The red light will blink a sequence that tells you the run time
5. Then to add time flip the switch to fill then to the center, or to reduce time switch to empty then to center. Each time you move the switch you will change the run time by 30 seconds. For example, to add 3 minutes, flip it to fill then back to center 6 times.
6. Wait 6 seconds after the last switch move and everything works as normal but your time has changed.
7. That time is retained (even through power cycles) until you change it again.

Future reprogramming orders will ship with this feature. If anybody that already had timers programmed for a fixed time wants this update, PM me.

[robpout]

Wow...can I send you mine over from Oz... I ordered the 20min timers for my 07 x-star, after I added the flyin high kit 6 months ago. Have been able to get only one of the timers to go properly and have basically bypassed them ATM. Will the original 07 timers (think 6/7 mins) be able to programmed to run for at least 15min fill time....

[tr6coug]

Wow...can I send you mine over from Oz... I ordered the 20min timers for my 07 x-star, after I added the flyin high kit 6 months ago. Have been able to get only one of the timers to go properly and have basically bypassed them ATM. Will the original 07 timers (think 6/7 mins) be able to programmed to run for at least 15min fill time....


Sure, no problem. Send me a PM and I'll let you know how much return shipping will be.

Yes, I can reprogram the original '07 timers with the variable timing program so they will run for as long as you like.

[snork]

I don't want to jack with the 30 sec programming, can you set the default time to start at 30 minutes and then go up from there if I have the need for additional time?

[tr6coug]

I don't want to jack with the 30 sec programming, can you set the default time to start at 30 minutes and then go up from there if I have the need for additional time?

yep, no problem.

[197 TT]

Just wanted to follow up with feed back, I have an '08 X2 with Fly High Piggy back system and struggled with my timers all last summer - had tr6coug program all three of my timers to 7 mins and it works perfect. Money very well spent.