210 Ballast Tank Gauges

[isenbed]

I have a 2008 SAN210 with the factory ballast system. Everything still works normal except the rear ballast gauges do not show less than half full when empty. The floats are moving freely, and they work fine above half-full. I do not see any adjustment, and it is strange that they both started malfunctioning at the same time. The belly gauge still works correctly. Any thoughts?

[BoardSkier]

My belly tank guage did the same thing. I replaced the sending unit and works fine.

[Nordicron]

I have a 2008 SAN210 with the factory ballast system. Everything still works normal except the rear ballast gauges do not show less than half full when empty. The floats are moving freely, and they work fine above half-full. I do not see any adjustment, and it is strange that they both started malfunctioning at the same time. The belly gauge still works correctly. Any thoughts?

How do u know the floats are moving freely? Did you pop them out an look at them? Are u certain that the rods aren't bent?


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[scottb7]

just pull the sender out and move it up and down and see if the gauges move all the way. you can even pull the belly one and temporarily hook to one of the other gauges to test the gauge.

[isenbed]

Thanks for the replies, I did pull the sending units to check the floats. Both rods are bent, but I assumed they were this way from the factory to fit the depth of the tank. I will try pulling the belly sending unit and hooking it up to the rear gauges.

[Nordicron]

Thanks for the replies, I did pull the sending units to check the floats. Both rods are bent, but I assumed they were this way from the factory to fit the depth of the tank. I will try pulling the belly sending unit and hooking it up to the rear gauges.

Nope they are supposed to be straight. At some point your tanks collapsed bending the rods. Guessing u have overflow bags hooked in without the proper breathing tubes inserted in the bags which caused vacuum effect.


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[isenbed]

I guess it was a little of both, I straightened the rods and one works now the other is still stuck at half. I do have overflow ballast which has worked great for several years. I never completely filled it till this year though, so I assume the extra weight must have collapsed the tanks. Time to buy some aluminum and build a platform for the extra bags!

[Nordicron]

I guess it was a little of both, I straightened the rods and one works now the other is still stuck at half. I do have overflow ballast which has worked great for several years. I never completely filled it till this year though, so I assume the extra weight must have collapsed the tanks. Time to buy some aluminum and build a platform for the extra bags!

I don't think the extra weight is what causes it. I believe that emptying ballast while underway(20mph+) and causing a vacuum in the tank is what does it. I collapsed mine a couple times prior to installing my breather tubes. Been good for several yrs now and my 750 bags are filled full almost everytime out.


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[isenbed]

I have the wakemakers system. Don't really see how a vacuum can form with the overflow lines. Where did you install breather tubes?

[isenbed]

Was the bag collapsing flat and blocking the overflow line?

[Nordicron]

Was the bag collapsing flat and blocking the overflow line?

Yes bag collapses and pumps keep trying to suck water outa tank but bag doesn't allow venting. There's a thread on here with pics, I just can't remember what it's called.


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[2009216v]

if anyone remembers that particular thread, I would be very interested in reading it. I too have the wakemakers setup and my gauges dont always seem to be accurate. I have probably created the same issue with my boat by not having the vent tubes. I understand the vent tube concept to allow it to flow through the collapsed bag but I just need more info regarding size of tub, how long, does the tube just lay inside the length of the bag, etc.
thanks in advance for any info that could help the two of us.

[isenbed]

Here is the solution that I finally came up with. I made tables out of 3/4" marine plywood and galvanized angle to lay the rear bags on. I always thought it was a little sketchy to place 400 lbs on top of a plastic tank. Then to prevent a vacuum collapse I put a T in between the main tank and bag with a check valve. About $10 from Lowes.

[2009216v]

What is the purpose/end result of the T check valve?