Gravity III ballast system sprinkler valves?

[zroutt]

I am thinking that my sprinkler valves are not functioning properly. When I turn on any one of my three switches for left, right, or front ballasts, they all fill up. Not necessarily a bad thing but it would be nice to just fill up the center and left for surfing which is what we are doing most of the time.

My question is are the sprinkler valves serviceable or should I just replace them? If replace them do I go back to Moomba and get the oem valves or should I look at a whole new setup?

Also does the water pump ever need servicing, new impeller, cleaning? Seems very slow to fill but then again I do have 2600#'s of ballast. It just sucks because I have to fill all three and then dump the right ballast bag for surfing. Takes about a half an hour total time.

[kaneboats]

The sprinkler valves have a switch on them. It's black and right on top. Try using the other position and see if it prevents them all from filling at once. Also, the best bang for the buck mod you can do is to add a T and a second Rule (or other like Tsunami) pump. Here's a pic. I also built a new manifold with an extra inlet for the line from the second pump.

[zroutt]

Ok I will hook up my fake a lake today and try out those switches. I had see those on their before, and should have thought of using them on the lake this past weekend. I assume the Rule pump is the factory pump on there? Do they get worn out? Do they ever need replaced?

[kaneboats]

I've never heard of one being replaced. The RULE 2000 (really only 1200 gph) is the stock fill pump. I had two extras I bought over the winter a couple of years ago that I used to throw over the side for my Outback's bags. I put one on the TEE and the other one is sitting in a box waiting for my next mod. I might make it the drain pump for the 750 bag.

[zroutt]

If I am going to do a mod to this setup would it be worth while to get two more pumps and just dedicate a pump to each bag? Or should I look your way of doing a tee off the hull intake and fix the sprinkler valves?

[kaneboats]

It's been done both ways on here. I usually only fill my surf side 750 and the front/center bag for surfing so the two pumps gets me full in about 8 min. We usually fill only the center bag for wakeboarding. If you are going to fill two 750's in the rear and a 400 in the center then you should consider a pump dedicated to each bag. You will probably need to drill a few more holes in the bottom of the hull. Not for the faint of heart but can certainly be done. You just have to decide. Wakemakers can give you some serious help with finding your intakes, equipment, etc. for the switchover.

[zroutt]

I am not one for drilling into the hull of my boat. Have a hard enough time drilling in the glove box let alone through the hull.

I like your mod of the two pumps off the one intake into the manifold. Might have to look at that this winter. For now I will try the little manual switch on the valve and see if that helps fill the center and surf vlocker bags faster.

Are these valves serviceable? I mean can I take them apart and clean them. My gut tells me that the guys I bought the boat from only used it for skiing and filled the ballasts twice when they owned the boat. So I am assuming they might be stuck open or something and hopefully taking them apart will fix it. If they can be taken apart and put back together safely.

[mmandley]

Yes you can disasemble the sprinkler valves and cleam them. Also you can buy them at Home Depot in the irrigation section. There have been some mods to replace the factory sprinler valves with Iritoll valves as these have better flow rates as well.

I have to upgrade my ballast system this winter, not sure what route but theres a good chance im drilling holes in my boat. Nothing new for me as i have drilled a lot of holes in my baby LOL.

[kaneboats]

You can try to clean them out. They do come apart. If you decide to replace them they are about $16 at Home Depot. But, you are way better off replacing with Irritrol 700 series valves-- they have more flow because when open they do not obstruct the flow at all. I put one on my surf bag for better flow.

[zroutt]

Might be taking them out tonight and going to the hardware store. I looked at the Irrotrol 700's and they are 24v. Is that ok running on a 12v system?