do you guys fill/empty ballast tanks with engine running or not?

[archcityblues]

I have a 14 210 and was wondering how folks were filling/draining w/engine running or not. I always have with engine running in the past, but I was speaking with a few guys here that never do to keep hours off engine??

[scottb7]

My engine would always be running when filling and draining. Boat would be warming up anyway while filling, so engine hours would be the same. And usually emptying on the way back to the boat lift, so engine hours would be same anyway.

Frankly, I do not try to keep the engine hours low. Maybe I should, but I worry more about my starter going out while I am on the lake, stranding me. But that is just my paranoia....Beginning and end of season it is pretty lonely - and great out on the lake, with no one to tow us in.

[archcityblues]

when you empty back to lift or dock what speed are you going? ive always just trolled back when filling or draining, but maybe i dont have to?

[scottb7]

Good question. Not cruising speed, but maybe somewhat faster then trolling. But not on plane.

[Live to surf]

I do both. Fill/empty with engine on and off. Just depends on what we are doing.

I also don't fill/drain when at planing speed. Have no good reason I just don't. I wondered if it affects pumps at faster speeds but I never looked into it.


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[shag]

I would definitely drain and fill with engine running. the amount of time (hours) should be negligible. As stated, you should be able to drain while on the way in. Those pumps draw amperage to pump, and I would not want to drain my battery(s). Just my .02
If you are putting 'hours' on draining and filling, then there's a problem with a pump

[swankster]

I do both. Fill/empty with engine on and off. Just depends on what we are doing.

I also don't fill/drain when at planing speed. Have no good reason I just don't. I wondered if it affects pumps at faster speeds but I never looked into it.


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Ditto to this for me

[Nordicron]

It doesn't matter in the least to me if my boat is running or not to drain or fill. My philosophy is if my boat is turned on then we obviously are going somewhere. Otherwise boat is off, with the price of fuel and depreciation your boat takes due to hours I do not idle my boat more than necessary.

Do be careful though if your draining while running and have piggy back system installed. The added suction created at speed is what can cause tanks to collapse without proper ventilation.


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[Chexi]

If you are using ballast puppies and only have 1 battery, it is safer to fill and empty with the engine on, because they do have a heavy power draw. If you are using aerators, I would not worry about it.

Alternatively, you could do what I did. Add a second battery for the audio and ballas pumps. That way, neither will leave me stranded due to a dead starter battery.

[durty_curt]

I've been filling the bags with the engine on as long as I can remember. I think I'm just worried about draining the batteries. Maybe that's why my boat has 1200 Hours...

[lucky7t]

Sometimes engine on and sometimes not. Just depends on situation.

[jonsquatch]

I fill or drain mine whenever I feel like it. I have no problems with making adjustments depending on skill or with a rider slowing things down in the middle of a set to work on board control or getting a quick surf set in before they get out of the water when its colder out. We often fill/drain on the way from/to the dock to/from the riding spot at 20-23 mph if someone hasn't already started the process while waiting for me to park the trailer. Other times we forget and start the fill right as the first rider gets up to start getting ready, with 2 batteries I don't care if its with the engine on or off. If I am changing between riders I start the change just as soon as the rider signals they are done and continue right on through the rider switch with the boat off and its usually done by the time the second rider is starting their pull if not I let it finish while they are riding.

[robertsmcfarland]

I always fill with engine off, run to and find best finger to wake board, stop engine turn on ballast and start getting ready , usually by the time one gets the rope adjusted to his or her preference board on and jump in ballast full, its nice to have quite between sets, do the same thing when finish, cut motor off and just enjoy the piece and quite while emptying, then drive back to dock.

[4th ski-doo]

Fill under idle and warming up, drain when returning

[nyryan2001]

both, I run the pumps while heading out and coming in.....but I definitly dont keep the engine running just for the pumps. I dont want the hours, waste fuel and I dont want the fumes.

Average 10-15 mins to fill and the same to drain. on a G boat..Fri Sat Sun that would avg an extra 45mins? a week for me, roughly 15hrs+?? a summer racked up on the hour meter if I were to do that.

If you are worried about power drain on your batteries from a few ballast pumps for 10 mins... you are either super extra cautious or you need to take a look at beefing up your batteries/electrical system some for your power requirements, running very slim margins if you have a valid conern about dead batteries from running pumps & stereo, blower etc.

What you would see me do it letting the engine idle for a minute after a hard run to avoid the temp spike if you do a quick shut down. Temps will read normal 165 going WOT and running hard. Do a quick shut down, without letting it idle for a minute or so, you'll see a temp spike 200+ within 30 seconds of shut down on the hottest days. We know these engines should be fine short periods up to 275, but no need to have that spike if it can be avoided IMO.