Internal ballast not filling in Launch.... Help...

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

I have a Launch and the internal ballast will fill sometimes, but most of the time they are not working. I can't really hear if they are pumping or not, but can definitely hear the pump trying to pump the water out when you try to empty them. Any ideas of what this could be or where to start looking for a problem. The weird thing is sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. No Rhyme or reason...... Thanks for any suggestions.

melissa123 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 101 City: Princeton

Diggs...

Get the boat moving on plane and then start the pumps.. Sometimes they need to be primed. On my SSV you always have to prime the pumps.

Sean

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Sean,
I will give that a shot. I do always try to start the pumps right when I get on the water so they are ready and new that they filled faster once on plane. I will give it a shot and wait until I get on plane to fill next time. So after they are primed can I fill and empty them at a stand still? Thanks for your help.

chaz28o · Posted: Jul 15, 2004 7:09 am Post subject:

Which pumps do you have? Maybe the impeller is shot? (easy to replace)

On some ballast systems, they shut off when the ballasts are full. (pressure sencentive) Check that your ballast are "filled with air" and thereby stopping the ballast from filling

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

My first guess was the impeller too, but they do fill sometimes. I would think that means the impeller is fine or just blocked. They do not have an auto shut off. They just shoot out the side until you shut them off. Because of that and the fact that the tank in the locker is a soft sac so I can see that there is no air in it. Thanks for the ideas....

wesgardner · Posted: Jul 15, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

Hey Diggs,

Sounds like some sort of priming issue? Maybe try doing the same thing everytime - i.e. running at the same speed - try that several times then try standing still several times....is the supply "T"'d into your raw water intake or is it a separate clam shell strainer?

I'm sure some other Launch owners weill help you out...

Wes

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

I will have to climb under and look tonight. Thanks for the tips. Keep the tips coming. I am determined to have it figured out tomorrow. Thanks

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

My Launch SS does this every once in a while. Find the filter that the water is pumped through, it should be below the engine somewhere and pretty easy to get to. Remove the container & the filter, wash it out (don't lose the rubber seal!) and put it back on. Usually, that's all that I have to do, stuff just comes in through the pump (like pollen, a leaf every once in a while...) and you have to clean it. That's all. Sometimes all you'll have to do is just barely losen the filter container and tighten it back up...I think i get things stuck between the incoming water and the filter and that seems to let it pass. Remember when you remove the filter to turn the handle beside the intake pump to "Off" or else you'll get a steady stream of water into the hull.

That should fix it...if you have any ?'s just PM me

melissa123 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 101 City: Princeton

Diggs..

Yes once the pumpes are primed you will be able to fill at a standstill!

Sean

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Sean and Darty.... Thanks I will try your suggestions and I am sure it will be resolved. We will see tomorrow once we hit the water. Thanks!!

AirDad · Outlaw Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 126

Does the 03 use individual valves to each ballast tank like the 04? If so you might have some dirt in the pilot port causing the valve to stay closed. You can clear the port by unscrewing the solenoid and flushing the port.

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

I will be out on the water this afternoon to check these things. If no luck I will be posting again....Thanks!

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

They filled when I was on plane, so I assume it is just a priming issue. I will keep my eyes on it. THanks for everyones response.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Jul 19, 2004 9:19 pm Post subject:

It gets annoying taking it to speed just to fill the pumps. Install a scoop and you'll be fine just idling and filling. Pick em up at west marine

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

SupraBoarder - Tell me more about the scoop. What is it? Do you have a link online to see it. Thanks

SupraBoarder · Posted: Jul 20, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject:

Same type of thing used on your raw water intake for your engine.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=23654

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Oh yeah. I have one of those.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Jul 21, 2004 8:54 am Post subject:

you already have one on the ballast pump?

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Yeah came stock.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Jul 21, 2004 9:21 am Post subject:

Whoa, I didn't know supra did that. So under your boat you have two of these things? cause I only have one and that's for the engine's water. the ballast one looks just like a brass hole in the bottom of the boat.

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Yep two of them. They are brass. One in the back and one in the middle.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Jul 21, 2004 12:35 pm Post subject:

wow... that usually fixes the problem... oh well. I don't know what to tell you

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

It works fine now, but I do have to get them started when I am moving and then it will fill when I am sitting still. Does fill faster when moving. Thanks for helping though.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

did you try cleaning the filter out yet? If not I would say you have some kind of film (mine always has pollen) on it and the water cannot get through unless there is excess force (the boat moving).

Diggs · Addict Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 City: Portland

Darty - I have not, but per your instructions it sounds easy. I will give it a whirl and check. Thanks

BigTimer · Posted: Jul 23, 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

My Launch does the same thing. About 75% of the time I need to turn the pump on, get the boat up to about 25 mph, then slow back down gradually to a stop and the pumps are filling. My buddies Moomba Mobius (Skier's Choice Also) has this problem about 90% of the time. Just plane and they're primed.

Later...