Cross vent problem...

[dmbisbest]

I had a larger ballast bag installed this winter and they are cross vented. Now I am having an issue with the two back ballast pumps as they don't work the first time I try to start filling the bags. Then I have to pull up the floor and take off the top of the pump. Water comes out then I screw it back on and it starts pumping. It seems like it loses its sucking power until I release some of the pressure. Anything that anyone can think of? Is there a fix out there?

[chpthril]

Can you elaborate on the sac upgrade? anything else dont other than a new sac and crossing the vents? Crossing the vent line would have zero impact on the fill plumbing. Aerator pumps actually have no sucking power, only push. So if their original orientation was changed, they could be air locking. Popping the head off purges the air and then prime up.

[dmbisbest]

Thanks chpthrill. Only upgraded the port side bag and had them cross vented.

It sounds like you diagnosed the issue. Is there a way to keep it from happening?

[chpthril]

Can you take and post a pick of the rear fill pumps? Sounds like the outlets are maybe pointed down a little. This can trap air on the pump when the boat is launched.

[dmbisbest]

Try these. I tried to get a bunch of different angles. Thanks again for your help. IMG_8207.jpgIMG_8209.jpgIMG_8210.jpgIMG_8217.jpgIMG_8218.jpgIMG_8219.jpg

[mnpracing]

my $.02, it's because the check valves are too close to the pumps. In my experience, it works much better with the check valve near the bag, within a foot or two of the bag port.

[IDBoating]

my $.02, it's because the check valves are too close to the pumps. In my experience, it works much better with the check valve near the bag, within a foot or two of the bag port.

x2. I had the same problem. With the check valve just above the pump and the hose running up and away from there, the valve holds the hose full of water. When the pump turns on, it's trying to start pumping against that column of water and just can't do it. Not sure why opening the pump would fix it (since the check valve would prevent the hose water from draining toward the pump), but no matter what else is happening I'd move those check valves to the tops of the sacs. Mine are just before the sac fittings now and no more priming problems.

[Dandy]

x2. I had the same problem. With the check valve just above the pump and the hose running up and away from there, the valve holds the hose full of water. When the pump turns on, it's trying to start pumping against that column of water and just can't do it. Not sure why opening the pump would fix it (since the check valve would prevent the hose water from draining toward the pump), but no matter what else is happening I'd move those check valves to the tops of the sacs. Mine are just before the sac fittings now and no more priming problems.

Hopefully the factory is aware of this or becomes aware of it as I believe this is the way it was plumbed from the factory.

If you have taken the pump apart a few times, it may also be a good idea to get some o-ring lube and lube/seal up the connection made by the o-ring around the pump head. If there is a chance for it to draw air through that seal, it would and not pump water.

[dmbisbest]

Thanks guys. Trying to figure out why I didn't have the issue the last two years but now that it is cross vented, it is happening. Either way, this is getting frustrating as I had the dealer do the ballast install so I wouldn't have to deal w issues.

[mnpracing]

Thanks guys. Trying to figure out why I didn't have the issue the last two years but now that it is cross vented, it is happening. Either way, this is getting frustrating as I had the dealer do the ballast install so I wouldn't have to deal w issues.

Did they change the placement of the check valves when they modified the system. If the factory was doing it that way, and the dealer followed suit?

[Dandy]

I am guessing that the dealer didn't change anything on the fill line, they simply swapped out the bag(s) and left the fill plumbing the same. Is this correct?

Did they happen to put check valves in the vent line? I am not sure, but if they did, I could see that potentially causing an air lock in the system as the pump would have to build pressure to push the air out of the check valve to allow water in. With the cross vent, there would be no need for check valves in the vent line, assuming they installed them.

[chpthril]

Thanks for the pics! Looking at them, I agree with the others.....likely water sitting in the hose holding the flapper closed and trapping the air.