16 G23 Ballast Level Sensors

[Armour783]

Does anyone know for sure how the ballast level is calculated on the 2016 G's?

Background: This past weekend we were surfing port side on our 2016 G23. Saturday was a great day but Sunday, for the life of me, I couldn't get the wave to clean up no matter what settings I tried. Monday it dawned on me - I could see from the water that the platform was listed way over to starboard. After some quick individual pump tests (drain and fill) for the belly, starboard, and port tanks we knew immediately that the port pump had failed. I never even thought to check it because the % levels on all three tanks were going to 100% and back to 0. All three open/close valves were functioning properly.

When I emailed our dealer he stated that the level gets calculated based off timers and that there isn't actual level sensor in the tanks. He thinks that because we weren't seeing any faults on the linc screen, the pump must have just gone bad and because it wasn't receiving any signal, there were no fault codes.

This seems odd to me. Calculating the tank levels based off time vs an actual level sensor just seems dumb to me.

Does this seem correct?

[DocPhil]

Isn't there a ballast sensor? Why would you need a sensor if they just go based on timers? that makes no sense

[Armour783]

That's my point - it seems odd to me. On page 4-10 of the manual it shows a layout of the starboard and port ballast tanks. Near the bottom of the diagram near the stern of the boat it shows 2 Ballast Level Sensors. If the pumps run off timers and the level indicator on the LINC system is only based off those timers, what's the point of the level sensors???

[DocPhil]

The other interesting thing is that aren't the 2016 using bags and not hard tanks. How would one incorporate a level sensor into a bag? I could see how a hard tank could have a float in it that would indicate a level but a bag? Hmm....

[Armour783]

I think you're right - they are soft bags underneath the floor. Did the '15 and below G's have hard tanks? If that's the case then Nautique might have kept the same manual and not edited the pictures for the 2016 update.

If they are soft bags. Is the only way to fill them 100% to run the pumps until you see water come out the overflows?

[NautiqueJeff]

All G-series boats have used bags, not hard tanks.

I believe the ballast sensor is simply a weight sensor. I know on occasion my tanks will take on some water while sitting overnight (I need to adjust my automatic valves). When I power up the LINC system, it will immediately show ballast in one tank even though they were empty when I shut everything down. And yes, there really is water in there, so the LINC system reading is correct.

I am not saying all of this to complain about the valves. I just never adjusted mine after picking the boat up from the factory. Just making the point that there must be a weight sensor in there since the ballast fills without running the pumps on mine, and the LINC system knows about that ballast even though the pumps never ran.

[euro2012]

Could you elborate on 'adjust he automatic valves' Jeff? I just thought there was a shut off valve and then the reversible pump? I have been taking on lots of water, like 1000lbs total in an afternoon of sitting. Have just changed the impellers in the pumps to hopefully minimize it. Other than that, all I've heard is to close the shut off valves when stopped to prevent water getting in unwanted. Thanks!

[NautiqueJeff]

Late 2015 and all 2016 G-series boats have electronic valves that close automatically when the pumps turn off. My 2015 didn't have them (mine was an early 2015), but my 2016 does. There is a rod on the valves that can be adjusted so that they close all the way, and mine are out of adjustment. I'll probably fix this tomorrow since I am thinking about it now.

[euro2012]

Cool, didn't know that. Guess mine is early 2015. Thanks Jeff.

[2016G23surfer]

I have a 2016 G23 and the starboard ballast never reads correctly. The manual shows a sensor at the rear but i looked in there and there is nothing but the long bag. Obviously many people have a similar problem. If it works off a timer then something is wrong with it. It will show 100% full after about 3 min. The others will still be at 30%. Very frustrating!! I also have the same buzzing, hissing in my speakers that other people mention. This sound starts as soon as you power up. One inside speaker makes a loud crackling sound at random times. It got so bad I had to disconnect it. Nautique needs to do a better job addressing similar issues that many owners have.

[imhoff]

Late 2015 and all 2016 G-series boats have electronic valves that close automatically when the pumps turn off. My 2015 didn't have them (mine was an early 2015), but my 2016 does. There is a rod on the valves that can be adjusted so that they close all the way, and mine are out of adjustment. I'll probably fix this tomorrow since I am thinking about it now.

Hello Jeff, Do you have any links or suggestions on how to adjust these rods properly? Thanks!