Problem with ballasts

[BozBoarder]

On a 01 SAN the ballasts would only fill up partially with a manual fill and the fill pump wouldn't run with out kicking the breaker after about 5 seconds. I tried the contral knobs located at the driver seat at different settings and nothing seemed to work, any ideas?

[richard]

RE: Problem with ballasts

My bllastr of 01 SAN recently not funtion too,I press the fill button and empty buttron it don't pump water, the green light on the pannel will light up,but some times not light up, both situation can't pump water,when I clsose to the pump, I can heard pump motor turn,but it don't pump water,I need advise for this too.

[FLCERIK]

Make sure the seacock is in the open position.

[bkhallpass]

Bozboarder,

The control knobs at the drivers seats are merely vent knobs
(kind of like the vent hole on a 5 gallon gasoline can). When closed,
it is difficult to force water in. Whan open, air can be pushed out as
water goes in. Given that you pump only work for afew minutes, it
sound like the pump is either shorted, or may be clogged. The pump
should be located in the rear, probably port side, about a foot
from the seacock opening. You'll probably need to remove the
side panel between the storage and motor compartment to get
to it, so that you can do some diagnostics.

Richard, As FClerik said: Make sure the seacock is open (it is located
in the engine compartment, at the front, near the ski pole). It should
have a blue handle and turns ninety degrees to open or close. Also
make sure the control knobs near the driver seat are open.

BKH

[Dr.John]

My pumps did the same thing after sitting for a few months. What happens is the bearing of the impeller shaft seizes in the bearing. You can twist open the pump and manually turn the impeller until it frees up. I was able to open the pump without removing it from the hoses, which are a real bear to get off. BTW, if anyone has an easy was to get the hoses off the pump, please share!
These are real cheapo pumps, and will be replaced next winter, as well as the whole ballast pumping system.

[wakefun]

RE: Problem with ballasts

It is possible the pumps are shot or close to it. In my 2000 SAN I had to replace both pumps a couple of years ago because of very similar symptoms described by BozBoarder and richard above. First I had to keep reseting the breaker, then I would blow into the vent holes to clear water out of the lines (my kids got a kick out of me pressing my mouth up the boat and blowing with all my might over and over again...). Finally it got the point where the only way to fill the ballast was to open the air valves and run around the lake until the tanks filled on their own. The only way to drain the tanks then was to put the boat on the trailer. So after a couple of months of that I broke down and got some new pumps installed. All has worked great since.

[Flux]

RE: Problem with ballasts

http://www.livebaitlarry.com

Guy has mad pumps.......

[richard]

RE: Problem with ballasts

may be I need to change the pair of pumps,after read the above articles, I don't touch the seacock lever sofar and it worked for 4 years, I appreciate if have other experience about this.

[BozBoarder]

RE: Problem with ballasts

I tried a different sequence this time after launching and it seemed to fix my problem. I may have had an "air lock" in the lines prohibiting the air to escape, thus forcing the pump the kick off.

I don't touch the seacock lever sofar and it worked for 4 years

Richard, have you left your rear seacock valve always open? I think you need to close it once youve filled your ballasts, not sure though...

[richard]

RE: Problem with ballasts

BozBoarder
I never close the sea cockvalve since I brought the boat 2001,I will try your way and post the result, Thanks