Ballast Pump Failure

[tazz3069]

For those who plan and changing their pumps or the flow of the water in the valves, here is some news. I tried several things but nothing worked. First of all I was on the lake when I did this test. Even with my 1200gph pumps and stock valves, the water trickled out. Bummer!!!! Now I removed the spring, as suggested here on the site. The water was flowing. Great right. Not really. With the boat floating in the water, the spring out, and the pumps off, the water was still flowing through the valve. Now a better test. Still with the springs out, i was driving at 20 mph and the bags filled up by them self. I drained the bags and put the spring back in. The bags did not fill. I do not know what to do any more. My dealer told me that it will cost $2000.00 to retro my boat to the new system. Do not really want to spend that money especially if I have already done all the work. I have 3 intakes with 3 pumps for all the bags. One pump per bag. Really frustrated. Please help
Tazz

[sandm]

I wouldn't think that there's any advantage to going to a single pump per bag unless the factory pump isn't supplying enough flow to max out the 3valve setup, which I would suspect it is doing just fine. removing the springs just means that the valves can't stay closed with pressure on them, as when the solenoids are off(no fill), the solenoid relies on the spring to keep them closed.
the benefits to your system would be to upgrade to larger valves and 1" line I would think.
so there was some talk about irrigator valves that use the solenoid to keep it closed and were an upgrade in commercial systems.
any thoughts on that one?
next question would be, since you are now 3pumps, how do mastercraft boats or nautique boats fill, since I believe they are 3pump systems as well, or what keeps the factory moomba/supra 3pump systems from filling while riding?

don't know the answers, but think that searching in some of these directions might hold the answers?

[tazz3069]

I do know that they are using the Jabsco reversable pump. There are three pumps in the 09' boats. I did find a different valve that is not used for irrigation. I only ordered one of these. i will get it installed and test it again on the water. Or maybe test it in the drive way with a fake lake system. Well see. Not getting my hopes up.

[sandm]

interesting on the jabsco. makes sense. I think it was nautique that uses pumps mounted up high in the engine compartment. maybe they use a valve that would work?

[tazz3069]

The jabsco pumps(reversible) have a built it diaphragm in them. I went to a web sight and saw a parts list. There is a diaphragm that keeps the water from the opposite way unless the pump is astive.

[sandm]

oh.
well, you can always use the system you have until the new valve comes in and you have a chance to try it. just open/close the valves on the bottom of the boat when you fill it up. kind of a pita, but better than not using the boat for a whole weekend.

keep us posted on the new valves..