X-45 Filling Ballast?

[BoulderX45]

I was out today on my second ride on my new 06 X-45 and tried to fill the ballast system. Is there some trick to getting the system to prime? Is there a valve a need to open after winterizing? I tried going 10MPH and fill, I tried at Idle, and I tried at 20 MPH. I could not get the pumps to prime. I could here all but one of pump come on. Any hints?

[dmayer84]

On my boat there is a shut off valve on the intake for the ballast. Hopefully you didnt burn up the impellers if ther was no water going in.

[X-45]

There is a brass ball valve where the Common supply line comes through the boat hull You may have ruined the impellers. Good luck.

[BoulderX45]

Where is that valve located? I didn't let the pumps run long enough to burn them up. I knew right away it had to be something this easy.

[dmayer84]

Look for the brass intake under the boat, and follow the pipe on the inside next to the engine.

[X-45]

The pumps are mounted in the very back of the boat behind the a carpeted covered board. Two point up and one down (had to take the pump off to change its impeller). But the hoses back there are for the ballast. Once you look at it you be able to find the valve. It was closed on my boat when I bought it. the only reason to close this valve is changing impellers out in the lake. They should not of closed it for winterizing. The pumps are self priming

[PendO]

my 06 197 has a black cover on the floor ... probably 4" in diameter, I can screw off the cover and flip the valve so that the ballast tanks fill with anti-freeze for the winter ... and then need to flip it back the other way so that they can fill up with water from the intake in the spring ... look on the floor for a black round cover beneath the rear seat compartment ... it took me a while to find mine as my ballast bag was on top of it... it is my understanding that you have one of these if you boat has a "ballast flush kit" ... our 04 does not have one of these as it was not an option then (as far as I know)

[emnesto]

I have an 06 X-45 and did the same thing when mine was delivered. The valve on mine in near the forward part of the engine on the port side. There was no damage to my impellers.

[BoulderX45]

Found the valve. I'm not sure what way the handle needs to be set. I can't get to the top of the valve to read the setting. I thought most swing valves when the handle was parallel to the valve it was open. The tower (boat is in the garage) is down and it is raining outside so I can't get the engine cover open to do a good inspection. I will find out next ride out.

Thank you everyone for the help.

[X-45]

Originally Posted by BoulderX45

I thought most swing valves when the handle was parallel to the valve it was open.

This is a Correct.