Troubleshooting Air Nautique 206 Ballast

[Atticus]

I'm throwing in the towel! I've been searching for the last hour and can't find my answer.

Here's the deal... 2004 Air Nautique 206. Ballast tank is currently full, I switch the valve to open, press the button on the dash, and it is a steady light. Thought it was a fluke and then realized that the water coming out the side was the result of new water being pumped in. I tried turning the pump on and off via the dash, shutting the keypad down and restarting, switching batteries via my Perko switch, and driving between attempts. All yielded the same result: the light stayed steady instead of blinking and the tank did not empty.

Any thoughts? The dealer told me it was the impeller, but I'm having a hard time believing that considering that the the pump was cycling water from the lake.

[NautiqueJeff]

Are you holding the button down for a couple of seconds to get it to empty? Press and release for fill, press and hold for a couple of seconds to empty. I'm sure you already know that, but just wanted to be sure.

[obd666]

Are you holding the button down for a couple of seconds to get it to empty? Press and release for fill, press and hold for a couple of seconds to empty. I'm sure you already know that, but just wanted to be sure.

what he said. when the the light is solid it is filling, when it is flashing it is emptying

[Quinner]

What they said, press /steady light = fill, press-hold-release / blinking light = empty. There is only one tank so it is the lowest left button, believe the one marked "Belly tank". Not sure if you need both or any valves open to empty but you should have one in the bilge on the port side and also another at the helm, below the dash on the left side of where the drivers feet would be.

In case you did not know, your anchor light button works in a similar way, steady light = all running lights, blinking light = anchor light only and the heater (if equipped) changes fan speed each time it is depressed.

[AirTool]

OT: quinner - how many heater speeds do you have? I feel like there are three based on the switch...but I can only feel high speed. No blow on the other two.

[Atticus]

That did the trick! Thanks to all for the help!

I sure wish Nautique took a little more care in writing their manuals. There was no mention of "holding" the button.

[Quinner]

OT: quinner - how many heater speeds do you have? I feel like there are three based on the switch...but I can only feel high speed. No blow on the other two.

Mine is factory/dealer installed, three speeds High - Medium - Low

[Tunafish]

Rookie here at the ballast sytem for 2007 Air Nautique 226. Does boat have to be in the water to drain the ballast tanks? Or can drain while on lift just out of water i know thats alot of weight. But curious. 2nd question do you press and hold all 3 buttons as water is in each tank independently? Thanks

[cedarcreek216]

Rookie here at the ballast sytem for 2007 Air Nautique 226. Does boat have to be in the water to drain the ballast tanks? Or can drain while on lift just out of water i know thats alot of weight. But curious. 2nd question do you press and hold all 3 buttons as water is in each tank independently? Thanks

All drain independently so you have to push all three buttons, just as you were filling all three.

You can drain out of the water, but that's a lot of load on your lift. It won't hurt the pumps to drain on the lift, just your lift.

[Chad1]

I'm having a problem with my 05 206 ballast tank as well. I empty it and it fills on its own. I'm I doing something wrong with the open and close valves?

[Quinner]

If you are only closing the helm valve and water is still entering that would tell me there is a problem with the helm valve. Close the valve in the bilge and you will not get any water in.