255XD center ballast won’t drain

[flyingnugget]

Hey guys,

Can’t get my center ballast bag to drain. Seems the problem is the system says it’s zero but it’s still 90% full.

I tried to fill it back up but when I say fill (any value) when it’s get full it seems to fill to the point where I’m like good lord that bags gonna pop and it doesn’t stop cuz the system shows 10-15% full . So I manually stop it. Make sense?

Then I try and “drain all” or drain just that tank and only goes as far as the system showing zero even though the bag is 90% full

Bad sensor?

How do I reset it??

I did pull the drain/fill line and let the water from the ballast bag fill the ski locker and drain out so it’s 90% empty now.

So frustrated with my boat.

 

[suke]

I've definitely just pulled the hose and let it drain into the bilge and out the drain plug before. I've had more of the issues saying it's full when it isn't, even after calibration. Draining is an easier fix. There is a member that sells a harness to drain/fill without a timer. However, in this case if the boat is on the trailer just pull the hose, make sure the drain is open in the locker and let it drain out the back. If you're still on the water you could let your bilge pump, pump it out. I'd be less inclined to do that and just wait until it's on the trailer.

 

[flyingnugget]

Thanks @suke

Yea it’s on the water and it’s day 2 of the vacation so it’s not going back in the trailer.

I will pull the hose again when it goes back on but this sucks!

I’ll see what it does later today when we go back out and try to surf after the rain shower passes. Hopefully it will create the values.

Was hoping there was a way to reset then system. You mentioned calibrate. How do I do that?

 

[haknslash]

Apparently on the older boats there was a hidden screen you can access that might get you to the ballast reset levels or something. Try it and see if you get anywhere.

M

Thread 'Ballast Calibration'

Jul 9, 2018

Just alittle background, we have had our problems with the Yamaha 242x through the last 3 seasons. the main problem we have found is the level of service with the service departments and inability to contact Yamaha for assistance directly, including the engineering department for clarity on certain systems. The latest is the Ballast system has gone from control module failure (it was covered under warrantee ), miss wired motors after it was returned to us, to now miss calibrated and blown bags as a result.

We have found out (not from the dealer but a random post here) that there is the...

• melvin80
• Replies: 6
• Forum: 2016 Yamaha Boats

 

[flyingnugget]

Thanks a ton @haknslash

I’ll see what I can do n the AM.

 

[suke]

Thanks a ton @haknslash

I’ll see what I can do n the AM.

Yup what he said. On my boat I can get in there and change the timers for filling/draining to a point. On the newer boats they were able to change it to nearly whatever they wanted. Also if you wanted to just keep any eye on filling it up and use it throughout your current trip. Then when it's back on the boat pull the hose and let it drain out.

 

[Cambo]

They should have just had something like this shipped with the boat. Its a cable that will allow you to operate the pump with a switch.

Boat Stuff Thread 'Ballast Pump Jumper Cable'

Sep 17, 2018

This is mainly for the 2016 - 2022 boats with factory ballast it could possibly work with other models or be updated as I get more info on the different configurations .

It works for the 21,24 and 25 foot models see price listed below for the different models.

• Over ride and power up the pumps to drain water or fill to the max if the timers get out of sync with what’s in the bag.
• Expand the system using plumbing fittings to allow the stock pumps to fill the transom bag or other bags eliminating the need for a tsunami or other type of plug in pump. I run two feed lines into the...

• Cambo
• 242x 242xe ballast ballast cable cable
• Replies: 114
• Forum: Classified Ads

• 
• 

 

[flyingnugget]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys but here is the latest and another twist.

SO, I think I figured out how the center ballast bag got "out" of calibration but first, I did drain the bag by pulling the fill/drain hose and got it down to about 90-95% empty. It worked fine while we were out wake boarding. Drained back down to 95% empty when we were done with the connex drain options. So that option helped out a bunch. When I went to put it back on the trailer after the vacation was over(1 day later) I went to pull the drain line again for that last bit of water. But, to my surprise the bag was about 50% full again. WTH???

So, The day after we were done wakeboarding we ran around the lake grabbin drinks and lunch and swimming all day. no filling of the ballast bags. But, somehow water is getting pumped into that center ballast bag. That's what must have happened before and why it was out of "calibration". As far as the system knew, it was empty but somehow the bag was filling up on itself and that threw the values all out.

So, any suggestions on what to do? I don't wanna drive around with an eventual 600lbs of extra weight in the ski locker. Probably have to take it to the dealer and pray/beg to get it fixed before I head to jetset 2025 in mid-july.

 

[suke]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys but here is the latest and another twist.

SO, I think I figured out how the center ballast bag got "out" of calibration but first, I did drain the bag by pulling the fill/drain hose and got it down to about 90-95% empty. It worked fine while we were out wake boarding. Drained back down to 95% empty when we were done with the connex drain options. So that option helped out a bunch. When I went to put it back on the trailer after the vacation was over(1 day later) I went to pull the drain line again for that last bit of water. But, to my surprise the bag was about 50% full again. WTH???

So, The day after we were done wakeboarding we ran around the lake grabbin drinks and lunch and swimming all day. no filling of the ballast bags. But, somehow water is getting pumped into that center ballast bag. That's what must have happened before and why it was out of "calibration". As far as the system knew, it was empty but somehow the bag was filling up on itself and that threw the values all out.

So, any suggestions on what to do? I don't wanna drive around with an eventual 600lbs of extra weight in the ski locker. Probably have to take it to the dealer and pray/beg to get it fixed before I head to jetset 2025 in mid-july.

I've heard of this problem before, but not sure what the fix was. If I had to guess it could be the impeller needs to be changed. Some wakeboat guys say to change them annually. I changed mine after about 75 hours or so and they still looked brand new. So, tossed them in my parts bin to have on hand. If it's still under warranty and they could take a look quick have them do it. Otherwise you could drain it and shut the seacock valve when not in use. That will keep water going in/out 100%.

 

[flyingnugget]

@suke That's a great idea about just shutting the valve off. If the dealer cant get it figured out or fixed before JetSet that's what I'll do. Thanks.

And also never heard about or seen the suggestion about replacing the impeller so soon. That's a surprise and disappointment.

 

[Cambo]

It could be the vein on the impeller stops in a spot that allows water in. The center bag is below the water line so it fills by gravity I see this at least a dozen times a season then recommend the jumper cable . It probably happens to all the boats but most people don't notice or care or they use the sea cock valve and keep it shut then open for water sports and as soon as the bag is empty they shut the valve. It would have been nice if Yamaha gave directions of how to use the valve and what to expect if the valve is open.

 

[anmut]

X2 on checking the impeller. V-drive owners change all of theirs seasonally. Usually it's just removal of the pump "cap" - pull the old impeller out (take a picture of which way the veins are pointing beforehand), then grease up the new impeller and turn it in.

You MIGHT consider finding a YouTube video of your pump and double check that your impeller veins are pointed in the right direction (or check both pumps and see if either of them are different). I've read a few posts over the years on FB where the impeller is installed incorrectly leading to issues.

 

[suke]

X2 on checking the impeller. V-drive owners change all of theirs seasonally. Usually it's just removal of the pump "cap" - pull the old impeller out (take a picture of which way the veins are pointing beforehand), then grease up the new impeller and turn it in.

You MIGHT consider finding a YouTube video of your pump and double check that your impeller veins are pointed in the right direction (or check both pumps and see if either of them are different). I've read a few posts over the years on FB where the impeller is installed incorrectly leading to issues.

The will "fix" themselves once you cycle the pump. I was hung up on that at first and happened to be talking to someone at wakemakers about something else and brought that up. He said don't worry about it, it'll self correct.

 

[suke]

It could be the vein on the impeller stops in a spot that allows water in. The center bag is below the water line so it fills by gravity I see this at least a dozen times a season then recommend the jumper cable . It probably happens to all the boats but most people don't notice or care or they use the sea cock valve and keep it shut then open for water sports and as soon as the bag is empty they shut the valve. It would have been nice if Yamaha gave directions of how to use the valve and what to expect if the valve is open.

I feel like it's more a common problem with the larger boats, the 24* and 25*. Maybe just the location of the fill/drain hole in relation to everything.

 

[ahenderson432]

Try this.

 

[ahenderson432]

Try this.View attachment 235990

The maunal is not totally clear on stop 4. Once it gets to "0" hit the down arrow again and it will initiate "Ballast Overdrain Initiated". But I am sure you figured that part out......

 

[flyingnugget]

@ahenderson432 ,

Aww bless your heart as we say in GA. You assume I know what they hell I'm doing . I'm heading back out tomorrow hopefully and I'll see what I can get it to do. But, seriously, appreciate you help