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Ballast Tank Filling?

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barleyrooty
1st Mate

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64 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2009 : 09:20:44

So I'm back in the same nightmare as last year.

I can't seem to get my ballast tank to fill, or if it is filling I can't tell that it has. I replaced the plunger valve with a new one, but on opening it there's no apparent airflow coming out of the bow valve.

Last year I ended up filling it with a hose through the bow, but it took hours (I had to run water in and then pause to let the air blow back out again).

I keep the boat on a mooring all summer, and I have to have a Marina go through the launch/lift so I don't exactly get a lot of opportunity to experience the filling/emptying process.

Does anyone know what's going on, and why it won't fill the normal way.

Help!

Thanks!

Phil

Lulu, 2001 C250 WB #540
Keyport, NJ

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2009 : 09:49:13

OK Phil, #1 Sometimes you have to push down on the valve stem to unseat it. #2 I've never listened for air coming out the vent valve,
what you should hear initially is the water flowing into the tank.
The boat will settle into the water probably 2-4" when tank is full. I usually leave mine open about 10 minutes and do other chores. If available I also add about a half gallon of Chlorox before I open the valve. If I lived closer I would give you a hand this is really no big deal.......

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 06:33:33

Bottom painted the valve closed?

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juzef
Deckhand

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Canada
5 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 08:54:05

Hi,Phil,I got the same problem last year, I found rubber washer wasn't glue to the water ballast VALVE!! The rubber washer was plugging hole entry to water ballast.I used water prove glue.No more problems .Good Luck,Juzef

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jlannutti
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 05:16:19

In response to Bear's post I have a question. You stated that you add a half-gallon of bleach to the tank. Is that the recommended quantity? I'm sure that I read, although I cant remember where, that about four ounces is the right dose. The P/O of my boat also indicated that he added a very small amount. I've often thought that it didn't sound like that much given the capacity of the tank but I also didn't want to go with too much and risk the bleach eating away the vent tube or fitting where it enters the tank. Any thoughts out there regarding this???

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 11:05:17

Here's what the EPA has to say about disinfecting water for drinking:<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
...
If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers....<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's 8 drops per gallon to make it safe for drinking. You're not going to drink your ballast water, you just want to keep it from growing stuff. I'd probably use more than the 8 drops/gal but less than the 1/2 gallon. Remember, the stuff that doesn't dissipate will eventually be dumped back into your body of water. Less is more.

Edited by - John Russell on 05/04/2009 11:05:49

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 11:36:12

120 gallons x 1/8 teaspoon/gallon x 1 ounce/6 teaspoons = 2.5 oz of bleach. As John mentioned, you're not going to drink it, so you might double that to 5 ounces & call it good.

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jlannutti
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 12:42:18

Thanks for the info. As I said I was going w/ 4 to 6 ounces. I thought the half gallon may cause some damage to the fill tube or fitting. It probably would do no hard but hey, you can't be too careful. Your point regarding discharging it back into the river/bay or wherever you dock is a good point. Harken back to the Hippocratic Oath....first, do no harm!

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 17:52:22

You can also use Chlorine, its like bleach but more concentrated. They put chlorine in your city drinking water.

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barleyrooty
1st Mate

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64 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2009 : 09:46:35

To follow up, the tank eventually filled after several hours open. I think I have the problem with the washer not being glued to the valve - with it open the water eventually seeped in around the washer and filled it up.

This is rather distressing since I just replaced the valve - you would think they'd glue that on before they sold it to you, since this IS a safety issue.

I can't verify this since the new valve was shipped to the marina who installed it and filled the tank. I'll find out for sure in the fall when I lift her out.

Anyone from catalinadirect reading this?

Anyway, thanks for the advice - it definitely helped me work this out with the marina.

Regards,

Phil

Edited by - barleyrooty on 05/08/2009 09:47:37

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.