Ballast not filling to 100%

[Epic]

Hey everyone. 2015 Tige Z3. Stock Ballasts plus plug n play bags.

Starboard Aft ballast - Tige Touch screen indicates it is filling to 100%, but it is really only filling to about 50%. Anyone know what the problem could be? The other 3 seem to fill properly.

[chpthril]

You can do a reset on the gauges. However, if you want 100%, let the pumps run until you see water purge from the vent lines.

[Z1owner]

You probably need to reset the timers. The TT calculates the %fill using a timer comparing the pump run time (both fill and empty) against the time set in the TT settings screen. To set the timers, simply time how long it takes to fill the ballast where water comes out the vent, then enter that time in the fill setting. Do the same while draining the ballast, then enter that time in the drain timer setting. Now the TT reading should be pretty close.

[JLG]

Go into the main screen and reset the timers accordingly. They are most likely set to factory ballast. Factory ballast is like 9 minutes if I remember correctly on mine so yours will be a lot more. Time them when completely empty until you see them overflow and do same for drain time. Each one is different but should be within a few seconds. I usually add 15 seconds to the timer that way I make sure they fill completely each time

[IDBoating]

It bears repeating occasionally that "ballast gauges" that are based on pump run time are at best a rough estimate. There are a LOT of factors that affect how fast a pump will move water, and some of those factors are quite variable - yet the timers do not take those variables into account.

As just one easy example: As your hull speed increases, the vast majority of ballast pumps will pump LESS water. However, the timers run at the same rate. If you then adjust ballast up and down, with the hull moving at various speeds, the gauges can be wildly inaccurate.

Engine on vs. off is another, because the battery puts out a lower voltage than does the alternator which causes the pumps to run at different speeds. Meanwhile, the "timers" run at the same speed all the time.

Some of the tests we've run have had a gauge at 70% while the associated ballast was actually more like 30%.

You get the picture....