Ballast bag draining

[Dave K]

So I completed my ballast system and everything seemed to work great. I tested all the pumps the drains checked over all the connections and everything worked.

- Pumped water in
- water stayed in the bag
- pumped water out
- perfect

Worked fine a couple of times, then
- No water going into the bag? Hmmm
- Pump worked.. got to be the check valve, makes sense.
- I unscrewed the check valve looked inside it (didnt really see anything, except a small piece of rubber which looked to be cut in a pie shape)
- Screwed it back together.
- bag filled
- No water siphoned out either.

Well 2 weekends ago we filled the bag for a quick run and then parked in a back bay for lunch and R&R. We went to leave starboard bag empty again. I thought maybe I hit the switch by accident but I dont remember seeing the switch light on. What are the chances of hitting the switch twice and not seeing the light either time. Well I figured it could have happened.

Last weekend filled the bag went for a run, and sure enough the bag was sucked empty.

The Wakemaker check values look to be a pretty simple setup. Obviously it must be defective or something. Is there suppose anything else inside the check valve other than a piece of rubber? Has anyone else had a problem with a check valve?

[Surf406]

ballast

i had the same problem with a z1 and a 21i it sounds like you have all the right stuff, when the boat is surfing the bags when topped off full they self sifin out and once they get started they dont stop unfortunatly. the cure i put in some regular plumbing ball valves from the local hardware store on both the air breather line and also the dump line and never had any other problems after that( note to self dont use a gate valve they suck) give that a shot youll be alot happier.

[Duncan]

i put in some regular plumbing ball valves from the local hardware store on both the air breather line and also the dump line

Do you have to manually close the ball valve each time or is it a different sort of valve than the handled kind?

[chpthril]

Yes! I stopped using the style of check-valves that W/M uses over a year ago due to lack of sealing. Ive got a dozen laying around collecting dust. I had to swap them out on a few systems as they were causing priming issues.

[Duncan]

Yes! I stopped using the style of check-valves that W/M uses over a year ago due to lack of sealing. Ive got a dozen laying around collecting dust. I had to swap them out on a few systems as they were causing priming issues.

I have never been able to fix my auto-drain issue, despite crossing the vent lines to the other side of the boat. Perhaps I need to swap out the check valves (part of winter 2009 custom sack plumbing kit from Chpthrl)?

[chpthril]

I have never been able to fix my auto-drain issue, despite crossing the vent lines to the other side of the boat. Perhaps I need to swap out the check valves (part of winter 2009 custom sack plumbing kit from Chpthrl)?

let me look over your parts list and see which valves you got.

[Dave K]

Here is a diagram of a cross section of how I plumbed my rear sacs. I put the check valves half way up the hose before it went over the guide for the engine divided.

I put the check valves here figuring there would be enough water pressure to close the rubber inside the check valve?



I have a couple of these check valves kicking around. Could someone (chpthrl) give me an idea if these are ok to use? Would a 800 gph Tsunami push enough water to open this valve?

[chpthril]

Based on the illustration, I dont see why the sacs would be passively draining through the intake plumbing. Have you been able to close the ball-valves and see if the sacs hold water like the should?

Whats the spring tension like on those brass valves. Could be too much foor an aerator.

[duffymahoney]

I use the wakemakers check valves. They work great. I also always vent and drain to the opposite side of the boat. This keeps the water in the sac while you surf.

[Dave K]

Based on the illustration, I dont see why the sacs would be passively draining through the intake plumbing. Have you been able to close the ball-valves and see if the sacs hold water like the should?

Whats the spring tension like on those brass valves. Could be too much foor an aerator.

I have not closed the ball valve but I have check around each bag fitting and also in the bilge area of boat and NO water. I have also switch on the bilge pump when bow is up and no water comes out. This leads me to believe that it is draining through the intake.

What check valve is the best to use?

[duffymahoney]

These don't restrict flow. They work great.

http://www.wakemakers.com/check-valv...ng-1-inch.html

[Dave K]

These don't restrict flow. They work great.

http://www.wakemakers.com/check-valv...ng-1-inch.html

I was shipped a 3/4" check valve barbed on both ends but it doesnt look like that. I did use that one for the 1" hose going to the bow though. Maybe I just had a bad check valve which needs to be replaced??

[duffymahoney]

Gosh no idea. I use either these or standard 3/4 swing brass swing checks from my local plumbing supply store.

[Dave K]

Gosh no idea. I use either these or standard 3/4 swing brass swing checks from my local plumbing supply store.

Is this the type your used. If so is there enough pressure from the aerator pump to open it?

[duffymahoney]

That is a spring loaded check valve. I used a swing. Here is a link. Zero flow loss.
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/W...9/6516/Cat/145

I picked them up locally cheaper.