Belly Ballast Wiring - 2004 196 Limited

[sgregg]

We have a 2004 196 Limited that appears to have been pre-wired for the factory ballast option (which we do not have).

The quick disconnects for the Belly Fill and Drain pumps are on the port side near the muffler (pictured).

Trying to figure out why each circuit appears to have been connected (positive/negative) via quick disconnects to what look to be jumpers rather than just terminating the wiring without completing the circuit.

I am planning to run power from the Belly Fill Pump positive at the quick disconnect to operate a low-draw relay and hoping to find out if there is any reason why I should leave the circuit connected at the quick disconnect rather than just unplugging the negative and running positive to my relay.

[SilentSeven]

By belly tank are you referring to the 'trick tank' that was an option in the aft trunk of this era of boat?

I have a 2004 206 with the factory trick tank and just refreshed the ballast pumps.

Happy to answer any questions about my setup.

PS - that bilge is insanely clean.

[sgregg]

Yes - factory wiring and the keypad switch reference it as “Belly” but it is the Trick tank wiring. I am hoping to just disconnect the jumper for the Fill pump circuit and run positive to my relay from there without reconnecting the negative. The relay seems to work just fine this way as I am able to control it from the Keypad button but not sure if it’s ok to leave the negative disconnected.

[SilentSeven]

Yup. OK. Same thing. I don't believe I have those loop backs in my wiring.

FWIW, the system operates via two pumps. A short press on the belly tank button starts the fill circuit and and long press starts the pump out circuit. I see your bundle here has 3 plugs...and I wonder if the third one is the harness for the tank fill gauge. I believe the tank fill gauge operates outside the Faria bus system but I don't have proof of that.

I can't think of an explanation of why the circuits are looped.

[sgregg]

Thanks!

That “3rd” plug is actually just the male end of the Fill pump circuit (disconnected from the female end in the picture).

Copy on the button functions - I have the relay wired to the Fill (short button push) circuit and it functions as I would expect it to. It is grounded through the relay wiring and I protected it with a 1amp fuze so guess I will just leave the Fill pump negative disconnected and hope for the best

[SilentSeven]

Glad I could help. Now...you to divulge your bilge cleaning secrets!

[sgregg]

Previous three owners took amazing care of it !

[Jonny Quest]

sgregg or seven: do either of you need my ballast tanks that are listed for sale on the "Gear For Sale" tab? Heckuva deal...

[SilentSeven]

Hey Jonny - not for me....saw that post. How did you end up with two?

[sgregg]

sgregg or seven: do either of you need my ballast tanks that are listed for sale on the "Gear For Sale" tab? Heckuva deal...

No tanks for me

[Jonny Quest]

I purchased the boat from the original owners. The 2 "trunk tanks" came with the boat and the original owners never had them installed. All the piping and plumbing is in place, but the trunk was only used for storage. When I bought the boat, the seller put the tanks in the boat just before I drove away.

As we are a ski family, the tanks just sit on a shelf in my garage. Rather than throw them away, I was hoping that somone could use them. They would make a nice, big wake if you are into that sort of thing...

JQ