More information on late-model ballast timers and functionality

[charlesml3]

Gang,

I'd been meaning to ask my mechanic about this but it's tough to get his time. Today he called me and we had a good conversation about how the ballast tank pumps and timers work on these late-model boats. Here are the details:

- There are NO LEVEL SENSORS in the tanks. None. They were always inaccurate and problematic so Nautique abandoned them.

- There are timers which fill/drain as needed. There is no adjustment possible for the timers. The "Pro Ballast" option is only an ON/OFF toggle in the dealer's menu.

- There is a pressure sensor in each tank that registers when the tanks are FULL. There is no corresponding sensor for it to know when they're empty.

- Any user profile such as Back To Dock which empties the tanks will run the pumps until the timer runs out. This may or may not correspond exactly to the time the tanks actually empty. It's just a timer.

- If a pump is started manually and set to EMPTY (outside of a profile being selected) it will run until it's manually stopped. In other words, Manual operation of the pump does not honor the timer. It'll run until you stop it.


So here's what my mechanic recommends:

- When filling your tanks, let them run to overflow. If the pumps stop before then, restart them until they reach overflow and stop on their own. If the pumps never stop on their own, then something is wrong with the pressure sensors.

- When emptying your tanks, let the pumps run until they stop on their own due to the timers or they make "that sound." You all know what it is. If the gauges still show some water, ignore it. The next time you shut down and restart the LINC, they should be showing zero assuming you've selected a profile that sets the tank levels at zero.

- Try to avoid running the pumps dry. The impellers are pretty resilient, but running them dry will shorten their lives.

That's about it.

-Charles

[tchancey]

Hey Charles,

Thanks for the great info. I've been troubleshooting a problem with my new (to me) 2016 G21 with the front ballast always reading 0% regardless of actual level. Talking with the dealer we believe it's an issue with the pressure sensor you mentioned.

Just curious. Does your 230 have hard tanks or bags? I believe my G has bags & I'm having trouble picturing where a pressure sensor fits with them (probably not inside a bag, but I'm just guessing). Does anybody know how to get to those sensors? Hopefully it's something I can fix w/o taking the boat in.

[charlesml3]

The factory setup in my 230 has both. I optioned it with the Pro Ballast option which adds a 400 pound sack on top of the hard tanks on each side in the back.

-Charles

[GMLIII]

Good info Charles . I’m facing a Ghost Fill problem early season . On both occasions early season , after having my boat docked for several hours prior to putting it in my lift before I leave the lake , I later find on my next visit that the starboard ballast is 100 % filled . I was thinking maybe the starboard impeller may be shot but it still fills and empties at the same rate as belly and portside ballast . So weird and can’t figure out

[ducatidesmo]

Good info Charles . I’m facing a Ghost Fill problem early season . On both occasions early season , after having my boat docked for several hours prior to putting it in my lift before I leave the lake , I later find on my next visit that the starboard ballast is 100 % filled . I was thinking maybe the starboard impeller may be shot but it still fills and empties at the same rate as belly and portside ballast . So weird and can’t figure out

GMLIII,

I'm having the same problem. I'll come back and the ballast states is full, even outside of the lake. I've even updated to a later firmware and still have the same problem. my 25 hours will be coming up so taking it to the dealer to talk about that (among other things)

[GMLIII]

GMLIII,

I'm having the same problem. I'll come back and the ballast states is full, even outside of the lake. I've even updated to a later firmware and still have the same problem. my 25 hours will be coming up so taking it to the dealer to talk about that (among other things)

After further research , I have found that my ballast pressure sensor is bad and not the impeller. I'm guessing your ballast that alway says 100% full actually is complete empty 100% of the time.like my boat. Go under your System Diagnosis page on your LINC screen then to Power Diagnosis and look at the last several line items. From my screen picture , you can see my problem plain and clear. This has become a common problem for many of the late model Nautiques. Eventhough my boat was winterized, I beleive the issue occurred over the winter when the ballast pressure sensor corroded.

[ducatidesmo]

Yep, mine showed high as well, then went back to normal. I check it regularly, and it’s completely variable..

[GMLIII]

Yep, mine showed high as well, then went back to normal. I check it regularly, and it’s completely variable..

Sounds like yours is getting ready to malfunction completely. Mine is high voltage all the time so I know mine is toast

[dbass880]

Good info Charles . Im facing a Ghost Fill problem early season . On both occasions early season , after having my boat docked for several hours prior to putting it in my lift before I leave the lake , I later find on my next visit that the starboard ballast is 100 % filled . I was thinking maybe the starboard impeller may be shot but it still fills and empties at the same rate as belly and portside ballast . So weird and cant figure out

Did you figure out what the problem was with this? My 2021 G23 is doing the same thing. It will show 100% full on the port and strbd tanks but may be empty. Sensors don't show any kind of fault. We replaced the batteries thinking that was the problem.

[GMLIII]

dbass880 I have done extensive research on this topic since the comment I made back in 2019 . It would be safe to say your ballast sensors are faulty and need replacement. These sensors are a known problem on these boats. They are a PITA to change so if you are not a handy mechanic with tiny hands and arms, by all means get your dealer to replace them.

[DoubleUpDisaster]

Scooter G had a good thread here - he just hole sawed a new access port in to get to the sensors.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...a-new-approach

[Scooter G]

Thanks for the mention DoubleUpDisaster.
All is holding up well, haven't noticed any bag rub, the cover is very low profile and I don't expect any issues. New style sensor is working great.

[BasaltRMK]

All,

Just thought I'd share with the group - I replaced my port side ballast sender last night (replacement was sent to me from the dealer under warranty; they actually sent me 2, which doesn't give me the warm and fuzzy about how the view the longevity of these things). Took about 45 minutes. Wasn't the hardest job, wasn't the easiest either. A lot of the work is blind while lying on your stomach in the aft compartment. And there are a lot of screws, nuts, and bolts you have to be careful of not dropping when you're removing the fuel/water filter, rudder grease zerk, and rear divider panel. Overall, I'd say that if you're fairly handy and very patient, you should be able to knock it out.

- bob

[GMLIII]

BasaltRMK Good info and I would like to replace my 2nd portside ballast sensor on my 2017 G23 which has failed on my own, but at my age and patience level I just can't do it. I got my dealer to order the ballast sensor but they are 3 weeks out to do the repairs. There is still a work around for me to fill my portside ballast in "Manual mode" until the water starts running out of the overflow. And more importantly you are correct, don't get the warm and fuzzy because I have already replaced the starboard and portside ballast sensors once and the portside is failing again. Glad you got yours replaced

[BasaltRMK]

GMLIII Appreciate the feedback. Yeah, I have a sinking feeling that I'll be doing this again. Hopefully it'll go a little more smoothly each time. I've been doing the 'manual mode' for a few weeks now and was getting annoyed :/

And I'm with you - if you have a dealer that is close by and can get you in, have them do it!