Ballast Check Valve Failing.

[Rusty Barras]

Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with different makes of check valves on their ballast system?

I have all wakemakers components in my 2001 SAN. I use the reversible johnson pumps. On the front side of the pump, the fill fitting is from the bottom of the hull, but i discharge overboard to keep a tattletale. I use 2 check valves to make it work. My two rear pumps work fine. When I'm filling, my front system keeps getting air slipping by the overboard check valve and the pump loses prime. I replaced it last year and and it has started doing it again.

Looking at the check valves closer, it's just a flap, no real spring or anything. Anyone have any experience with better check valves?

The other thought i had was rerouting the line to have a low spot to force it to hold water and stop air slipping in. pee trap of sorts.

[MLA]

Yes, ive used a better check valve, but the results are still less then ideal. I have used every marine check valve out there and many residential and commercial plumbing valves and I do not like the results. I moved away from diverting for over the side draining about 4 years.

Best advice, rearrange the plumbing and run the drain flow right back through the bottom of the boat.

[Rusty Barras]

Yes, ive used a better check valve, but the results are still less then ideal. I have used every marine check valve out there and many residential and commercial plumbing valves and I do not like the results. I moved away from diverting for over the side draining about 4 years.

Best advice, rearrange the plumbing and run the drain flow right back through the bottom of the boat.

Really? So how do you know when to shut them down?

[MLA]

Thats easy when filling, water exists the vent. Draining, you just listen for the change in pitch from the pump. After a few trips out, you get a feel for how long they need to run to drain anyway. The synthetic impellers are way more tolerant to running dry then the old rubber ones anyway. I do 25-30 pump kits a season and hardly ever have a call for a burned impeller.

[Rusty Barras]

Oh okay. So you install these systems. Got ya. I will consider it. We've had to blow off surfing a number of times because of the issues with my front not filling.

[DW SD]

Buy an extra check valve. Carry hose clamp nut driver on board. You can swap the valve in 2 mins.

If you have problems swap the check valve. When you have a moment flip the rubber flap upside down in the now-spare valve. They tend to warp away from the seat.

Doug


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[Rusty Barras]

Thanks man. I never thought about flipping it.

[MLA]

Its a band aid, not a fix. The flappers will learn to bend open the other way, so you are shortly doing it again.

[DW SD]

Its a band aid, not a fix. The flappers will learn to bend open the other way, so you are shortly doing it again.

Indeed a band-aid, but....
I keep a few (2 spares) on hand in the boat. The last one I replaced with a flipped flap was a year ago. That is about 20 to 25 water days. Maybe a bandaid, but given I have them on hand and they take about 2 minutes to install, it works. Mine is on behind the driver's helm up under the gunnel. So access is simple and painless.

Also, in a pinch, I could put my thumb in the through hull on the side to block the air flow. That will serve as a check valve in a pinch when filling.

cheers,
Doug