Anyone Have Trouble With Helm Control Ballast Valves?

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

All,

Spoke with my dealer, the tech buletin on this issue is to adjust the cable length, guess to get the valve to stop in a different position. I don't hold much hope of that working (see Jeff's picture above). Also found out that this issue was a big gripe at the dealers meeting recently.

There are enough of us working on the problem....we can overcome. Still a great boat!

[auian]

I have a 2003 SAN that has the the same problem. From the first day the starboard valve would not close all the way even though the lever on the valve was moving properly. The dealer did fix the valve after two service calls. Thank goodness my dealer makes house calls. Even though the dealer fixed the the valve that was wide open they continue to leak small amounts. I have to agree with others that this is totally unexceptable to have such an inferior part on this caliber of boat. My dealer did warn me to be careful with the Helm Control levers and not force them and don't try and close the the valves while underway as the hydraulic force is too great for these valves. CC has had issues with this for some time. In reading this thread I have to agree with Fatboy that when I buy a product that claims to be the best I expect it to work as claimed, period. If they are working on a solution, fine, get it to me ASAP. This should not be a hard one.
I like the concept of the electro-mechanical valve but would settle for a well made mechanically actuated valve. I think that would be the most reliable long term. Great boat but you dont put plastic hub caps on a Porsche.

[FatBoy]

Jeff, that valve you pictured looks like a part that belongs on a Tiege, or maybe even a Bayliner. It does not look to be Nautique quality.

[unclejessie]

FatBoy,

I don't want to say bad things about CC, and I do LOVE my boat, but I wouldn't get too carried away with what is or what is not "Natique Quality"... have you really spent time looking at how your boat is built? I have had 2 Nautiques and both had certain issues with quality of workmanship and quality of parts that would not meet "Nautique Quality" as you state it.

Those valves do look a bit "cheezy", but they work just fine on my boat. It sounds like maybe they aren't full-proof though and that is an issue...

All I'm saying is that I "used" to see alot of things with my 2 CC boats I have owned that shocked me, but now, nothing does. I like CC because of how they stand behind what they make, not becasue it is the so called "Cadillac" of boats... because in many ways (workmanship, parts, materials) they are just like all the rest.

[surfsup]

It is a bit ridiculous that after 6 years, the helm control and ballast systems aren't nearly perfected. If I recall correctly, the '98 Air Nautique introduced the ballast sytem on CC boats. My '99 Pro always had problems - either with the pumps priming or guage accuracy. The helm control in my 211 is much better, but it certainly has deficiencies - like slow fill while under way etc.

[NautiqueJeff]

I got the valves installed behind the pumps yesterday, and they still aren't opening properly. I can hear them click when they get power, but they need a certain amount of pressure to actually open. I am speaking with the valve manufacturer today to find out if anything else can be done. I will probably end up changing valve types. I'll keep everyone updated...

[Laptom]

Thanks Jeff, good luck with this project!

[NautiqueJeff]

Okay, I finally have an update on this project. I've been working on this for five months now, and I hope this time it will work. I have just received another set of valves since the last set just didn't work at all. The manufacturer said that there must have been some kind of design flaw in the other valves. The new ones took three months to arrive!

These are Asco Red Hat II valves, and they're rated at 40 PSI for water. I'm going to wire them into the pumps again, like I did with the last set of valves, so that they open when the pumps turn on, and close when the pumps are turned off. I'm still waiting for the proper fittings. The nylon fittings in the pictures were used for some testing that I did today, but they will not remain on the valves because they reduce the flow too much. I'll be installing the valves this week, and hope to test them out on the water this next weekend. I'll keep everyone posted.

[Mikeski]

Jeff,

If those don't work you might want to look into one big Jandy/Pentair automatic pool valve, they are a motorized ball valve. I have also seen guys use the motorized waste gate valves from RVs.

Mike

[FatBoy]

Those are very simple valves and they work very good. We use them here at the mill where I work. If you ever have a problem with them they are simple to rebuild, just a little rubber seal inside to change out. Don't know how they will do on this application but they are very good valves.

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

Jeff,

Did you consider the explosion proof option? Considering where it is going.

LINK

I was looking at the pistion version (vice the diaphram version) but have been concentrating on control switches under or replaceing the existing helm ballast control. That way it looks like factory....until you open the engine cover and really start looking.

P.S. Jeff, still working on the offline "issue" we discussed.

[NautiqueJeff]

Didn't really think about the explosion-proof option. I'll have to discuss that with my supplier. I wonder if that is something that I should get.

As far as the helm ballast control, I have decided to leave the original valves in place and just add these to the lines farther down. That way the boat still looks stock

Jeff, still working on the offline "issue" we discussed.

Cool! If that works out, I'll be very happy!

[CrazyLarry]

Another option is just to leave your fill pumps running all the time. If they burn up it's under waranty.

[Laptom]

CrazyLarry, that's an option... But not a solution...

Jeff, keep us updated about this project. Seems very interested!

[mike-d]

ballast valves replacements

I have a solution, hopefully r&d at correct craft will adopt it. I will post soon on my findings.
IE: its a direct replacement valve, location, size etc. Only with a better closing/ opening mechanism, not a cheap rubber sheath/spring type.
Mike
2001 san