Ballast Tank shutoff valve problems?

[Miljack]

Has anyone had the main shutoff valve for the stock CC ballast tanks fail? I turned off the valve, and I'm still filling up a tank, only the left one, but from what I've read, the helm control valves don't really work anyway, but this seems odd.

Is the main cutoff valve a standard part, or is it a custom CC part? It looks like a plumbing cutoff valve, but please someone confirm. To replace, do I need to have the boat out of the water? Any other tips on replacing or repairing this valve?

thanks,
Jack

[Flux]

RE: Ballast Tank shutoff valve problems?

Do you mean the seacocks??

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Ballast Tank shutoff valve problems?

The valves are standard ball valves. I had mine replaced too. They were doing the same thing.

[Miljack]

RE: Ballast Tank shutoff valve problems?

Flux, I think they are called seacocks, but our boat has only the one main valve (seacock) to fill both of the tanks...

[Flux]

RE: Ballast Tank shutoff valve problems?

Seacock = fancy name for a ball valve with thru-hole port. The only time these should be open is for filling the ballast, they should be shut at all other times. If yours are leaking, you'll be taking water on while uder way, and maybe just sitting too. I don't think replacing them is a big deal. You could get one from any hardware store, just get the highest pressure rating you can/full flow too.

You would want to take the boat out of the water to do it.

[xmalibuman]

They are, at least mine are ball valves. But not all ball valves are the same, buying the highest pressure rated valve is not what you need to do. Some are full port and some are not (when open the passage through the ball is same as inner bore of valve or not) and some use a diferent stem size. This may be important if you intend to use your original valve handle as mine is are extended reach handle.
A plumbing suppy would be a good place to start.

[Miljack]

Anyone know what size the valves are? Any tips on brand names of valves or sources? I had a look at Lowes today, and they are cheap there, but the highest "WOG" rating was 600psi. I'm guessing that might not get it.

thanks,
Jack

[Flux]

600 PSI is alot, that should do the trick and like Xmalibuman said, get the full port or you may starve your pumps. As far as size, you should probably measure them first before getting replacements, they could be anything from 3/4" to 1-1/2". They may also be a wierd overall size to fit in the compartment, but hopefully they are just stock ball valves. The one's on my SAN look pretty stock to me, I got three of them, one for each tank, and a fourth for the raw water intake.

[Miljack]

Hey guys, I got the valve off the boat this weekend, and the valve was stuck open! I guess that makes my troubleshooting easier. thanks for the tips and advice. BTW, the valve on our boat is a 3/4" unit.

Jack