Tige Ballast Switches

[Charris13]

Hey guys, I went ahead with the purchase of an '04 22v Riders' Edition. I looked through the threads under this heading and can't find any relating to my question, but if this has already been covered, please copy the link and I will read through it! Note that on my boat the ballast system is plumbed in and looks to be factory installed, but I could definitely be wrong about that. The switches are metal (silver) and have red lights on the ends.

So I've only had the boat out a couple of times but I'm starting to notice an issue. Anytime I'm underway, my ballast bags are filling, regardless of what the four pump switches are set to.

The ballast system is operated by five rocker switches on the right side of the cockpit (see diagram below for clarification). The owner's manual shows the diagram for four of the ballast pumps switches. The switches on the Top Left and Top Right operate pumps which fill the wrap-around bag in the bow. The Middle Left switch operates the pump which fills the back left bag. And the Middle Right switch the back right bag. All 4 of these switches are 3-way rockers, up to fill, down to empty, middle to hold.

My question is in regards to the fifth switch which happens to be at the very bottom. It is similar in appearance to the other 4 switches, but it isn't a 3 way rocker. You can either press it up or press it down and when you release, it goes back to the center position. The issue I'm experiencing leads me to believe that this switch controls either a butterfly or a ball valve which fill all four lines, but I could be wrong.

My other thoughts are as follows:

1) When the fifth switch is open, all four bags will fill regardless of their respective switch positions
2) When the fifth switch is closed, the bags will still fill but only if their respective switches are in the up (fill) position
3) The open position for the fifth switch is up

I'm sure most of you have forgotten more about boats than I will ever know, and my thoughts may be way off base, therefore any input you can offer is greatly appreciated!!


'Diagram' of
Ballast Switches:

TL TR

ML MR

?

[Stingreye]

Congratulations on your boat purchase! I love my 04 24V and I have only had it a couple months and taken it for a couple trips but I couldn't be happier with it.

Someone smarter and more experienced than me will likely be able to help you out more. I have the factory ballast from Tige on a 2004 24V and it was tanks and not bags (although maybe they had a bag option then, I don't know). The pickup is a huge 1.5" hole on the transom. I doubt it would passively fill because you cannot fill while underway because you cannot fill the factory system while underway (transom is out of the water).

That makes me think its something else.

Tall Tige Guy installed a Rival System here that has a gate valve that looks like an RV waste dump type thing. You should see it in the pic in the thread below
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...-Install/page3

I wonder if your 5th switch controls that. Its also a bad design from when I was reading all the ballast threads as it commonly went bad. The fact it fills when closed makes me think it has a leak (providing water to pumps) but prevents passive filling by having only a small leak.

You likely have a scoop style pickup on the bottom that would passively fill.

The system that Mike's Liquid Audio (MLA or Chpthrl) is designing for me will use a mushroom on the bottom to allow for filling on the fly without passive filling or draining. Mike's a great source for anything ballast. If your system is as old as mine, things might be starting to break down. Several

I am sure someone else will likely chime in. I am also sure if you have pics it will really help identify the system that was installed.

EDIT - I found a pic of my ballast switches- They are located to the right of the perfect pass to the right of the steering column. There are only 4 switches for the 4 tanks.
DSC01745.JPG

[bigtige72]

Maybe start with checking the wiring from switches to pumps, and verify that they are all doing what they should in each position. I had to disconnect and reinstall all the wires to my switches because the previous owner had no clue as to what went where. Just a thought. The pumps don't shut off complete flow to the tanks, I I shine at speed it's possible to force water past the impeller on the pump....

[chpthril]

In 04, I believe the factory ballast system would have been carpet covered hard tanks and not soft sacs. Sounds like you have a Rival (or 1-off) system that used a scoop and an RV style gate-valve. That 5th switch is a momentary for the gate. Those RV gate valves have always seemed to be problematic for those that used them. Any steps taken will just be a band-aid. I would suggest reworking the fill plumbing to eliminate the scoop and gate and go with a mushroom.