Ballast Bags not draining

[st_lduncan]

I have a 2007 22 SSV my rear bags will fill up on there own on occasions and will not drain unless I pull ballast plug on bags and manually drain them. Are the ballast pumps bad? I have replaced the sprinkler valves.

[leetudor]

Do you hear the drain pumps running when you turn them on? If not check for voltage at the pumps.

[MJHKnox]

For the filling up, that could be the water that gets forced into the scupper on the bottom of the boat. Pretty sure it was designed once the pumps are turned on, if you are in forward gear, it starts to force the water in.

Depending on what is in the bottom of the boat, some have taken a grinder to it. There are some threads about the issue.

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[MJHKnox]

Do you hear the drain pumps running when you turn them on? If not check for voltage at the pumps.
Yep, if no volts at the pump, check the fuse under the dash.

If you have juice, replace the pump. A dealer can get them with the wire plug ready to clip in. Pay more. Online sites will probably have them if you Google the Rule part #. Get some good wire connectors and some heat-shrink tubing to keep the water out.

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[MJHKnox]

These are located by the transom. Probably hidden behind the back panel.
One went bad on my boat after 3-4 years. The other worked properly, then I upgraded them.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8407/8870582117_2413f80d95_c.jpg

[st_lduncan]

Thanks for the feed back, what did you upgrade to?

[MJHKnox]

Thanks for the feed back, what did you upgrade to?

Purchased 3 reversible Johnson pumps from Wakemakers. Reworked the lines for new ballast bags. Ballast upgrade kit.

One pump goes to the port rear locker ballast - 1100#
Second pump goes to the starboard rear locker ballast - 1100#
Third pump goes to the middle and bow bags. I have a Wye value that controls what bags fills/empties.

The sprinker-valve system was taking too long. This works much better.

[BADS24SSV]

I am having all the same issues. My drain pumps run, but they do not pull from the tanks. I do not want to spend $900 on the Johnson upgrade. Nor do I want to tear up the whole system. Not sure how to get the pumps to pull the water out though. I have read that moving the pumps closer and shortening the path works. Anyone else have a proven fix other than the impeller pumps?

For the fill issue, I will be doing electric ball valves. $150 for the set of 3 and will never have a self fill issue again. Also heard they fill much faster than the sprinkler valves.

[leetudor]

I am having all the same issues. My drain pumps run, but they do not pull from the tanks. I do not want to spend $900 on the Johnson upgrade. Nor do I want to tear up the whole system. Not sure how to get the pumps to pull the water out though. I have read that moving the pumps closer and shortening the path works. Anyone else have a proven fix other than the impeller pumps?

For the fill issue, I will be doing electric ball valves. $150 for the set of 3 and will never have a self fill issue again. Also heard they fill much faster than the sprinkler valves.

Is the impeller spinning when pump comes on or is just the shaft turning? The little plastic impeller can slip in the shaft sometimes.

[MJHKnox]

I am having all the same issues. My drain pumps run, but they do not pull from the tanks. I do not want to spend $900 on the Johnson upgrade. Nor do I want to tear up the whole system. Not sure how to get the pumps to pull the water out though. I have read that moving the pumps closer and shortening the path works. Anyone else have a proven fix other than the impeller pumps?

For the fill issue, I will be doing electric ball valves. $150 for the set of 3 and will never have a self fill issue again. Also heard they fill much faster than the sprinkler valves.
When I first purchased my boat, the driver-side rear drain pump needed replaced. It didn't turn on. The Rule pump was ?$50? from the dealer.

Testing the existing one or replacing it, you will probably need to take it out to check the impeller.

I have read the same thing. Shortest distance works best.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170323/23d82f0b2e0e68fe83cb162ca49951e5.jpg





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[MJHKnox]

They are also sold online. Probably waterskis.com or that skidim.com site.

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[BADS24SSV]

Is the impeller spinning when pump comes on or is just the shaft turning? The little plastic impeller can slip in the shaft sometimes.

No idea...interesting...I will have to look. But once the water gets going it will empty the bags.

[BADS24SSV]

When I first purchased my boat, the driver-side rear drain pump needed replaced. It didn't turn on. The Rule pump was ?$50? from the dealer.

Testing the existing one or replacing it, you will probably need to take it out to check the impeller.

I have read the same thing. Shortest distance works best.
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Thanks for the insight. The pump definitely turns on. I also read that orienting them horizontal can help. I have spare pumps though just in case.

[MJHKnox]

No idea...interesting...I will have to look. But once the water gets going it will empty the bags.

Let me toss this out there, have you looked at the hose from the pump to the discharge port?

Next time it happens, blow hard into the discharge port and see what happens.

I would suspect, an air lock either in the impeller chamber or the discharge hose. Assuming the impeller is working properly.

Might there be a dip/drop in the discharge hose? That might create an air lock which will prevent the pump moving water. Check the angles of the hose or shorten that.

I've heard of people taking them apart and not putting them back together correctly. Something was reversed, thus the impeller spun the wrong direction. Not your case.

[MJHKnox]

Next time it happens, blow hard into the discharge port and see what happens.

BTW - not saying that is the solution.

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[BADS24SSV]

Let me toss this out there, have you looked at the hose from the pump to the discharge port?

Next time it happens, blow hard into the discharge port and see what happens.

I would suspect, an air lock either in the impeller chamber or the discharge hose. Assuming the impeller is working properly.

Might there be a dip/drop in the discharge hose? That might create an air lock which will prevent the pump moving water. Check the angles of the hose or shorten that.

I've heard of people taking them apart and not putting them back together correctly. Something was reversed, thus the impeller spun the wrong direction. Not your case.

Thanks, I will look into the hoses. I have tried blowing and "drawing" or siphoning and that has helped get it started. So definitely an air in the circuit issue.

[tkutrich]

I also did a sprinkler valve replacement once and still had a similar problem. From my lawn irrigation experience, these valves have a diaphram which requires pressure to stay closed. If there is insufficient pressure they may not close all the way. They are also extremely sensitive to tiny bits of debris which often bypass the filter and mess with the diaphram.

Rather than mess around with the main pump, which can be easily replaced, I am installing 1" electric ball valves first. Provided you buy a 2 wire model, they are either open or closed - period. Should be a bullet proof solution as I have heard from others the results are good.