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Center Ballast pump non responsive


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Hey guys, I am have a problem with my center ballast. I press the button on the mux gauge to fill the center ballast and the boat does not click on like the others and start to pump nor do I hear a sound to dump. Further investigation of this problem led to the discovery of the no. 5 fuse blown associated with the pump. I replaced the fuse with rear ballast drain and it blew the replacement when I attempted to fill the center. I believe there may be a short somewhere in the wiring to the center fill. I also do not hear any noise when I press drain on the center. The center tank worked just fine at the end of last summer. Any ideas of where to start greatly appreciated.

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start by replacing the fuse again, taking the pump cartridge out, spinning the aerator by hand, then put power to it. sometimes the pirahna pumps get bound up over the winter. I think ruffdog says he always hits them with a heavy screwdriver or his purse or something before the start of the season to get them freed up.

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start by replacing the fuse again, taking the pump cartridge out, spinning the aerator by hand, then put power to it. sometimes the pirahna pumps get bound up over the winter. I think ruffdog says he always hits them with a heavy screwdriver or his purse or something before the start of the season to get them freed up.

Problem solved as per Shawn's recommendation. Took the pump apart and spun the aerator by hand and replaced the fuses with the boat off. Pump now fills and drains as should.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ah, I hate to ask, but...

Could someone walk me thru taking the pump out, and cleaning it?

My center pump is running but the tank isn't filling. I'm hoping to clear an obstruction?

Thanks!

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BigE, shouldn't have to take the pump out to check it. Unscrew the set screw/wedge piece on the top of the pump and then unscrew the blue ring. Pull the cartridge assembly out and clean and inspect as necessary. I have pictures of the screw and the unassembled pump housing in my mods section in the boat house if you want to see the parts. If you want or have to replace it you will have to cut or otherwise disconnect the wires (at an easily accessable point) disconnect the hose and unscrew the whole assembly from the ball valve.

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  • 3 weeks later...

got the same problem worked fine now first time in not working ,keeps blowing fuse ..

where is the center drain pump ???

so i can try your tricks ..

thks

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Midship & bow tank pumps are in the center hatch to the left of the driver's seat.

Very easy to do this while it's still installed.

I just replaced the midship drain pump on mine over the winter. The impeller was frozen & blew the circuit protector all too often. When I opened it up & spun it by hand it felt like it had gravel in the bearings. I found replacements for the Piranha 800 on Ebay for around $50 shipped.

Edited by Bill_AirJunky
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start by replacing the fuse again, taking the pump cartridge out, spinning the aerator by hand, then put power to it. sometimes the pirahna pumps get bound up over the winter. I think ruffdog says he always hits them with a heavy screwdriver or his purse or something before the start of the season to get them freed up.

:lol: I caught that...

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  • 4 years later...

Gang, first timer here...  I have same issue with center ballast fill not working.  Center drain works fine.  The actual pump works fine because I connected it to another power source (front fill power) and ran the motor out of the pump housing.  So my guess is I have a fuse problem.  That said, where is the fuse for the center ballast fill?? Doesn't appear on the panel below the throttle...  Thanks much.  Matt.

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Under your drive side dash, big black box cover, fuses are under there.  If keeps kicking fuse pump cartridge could be frozen or some debris.  I clean mine out and use 303 to lube cartridge motor and the housing.  Test it before ya put cartridge back in and don't over tighten the lock ring. To tight can cause it to stick and blow fuses. Hope it helps ya.

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  • 4 weeks later...
On August 7, 2016 at 3:51 PM, DoubleM said:

Gang, first timer here...  I have same issue with center ballast fill not working.  Center drain works fine.  The actual pump works fine because I connected it to another power source (front fill power) and ran the motor out of the pump housing.  So my guess is I have a fuse problem.  That said, where is the fuse for the center ballast fill?? Doesn't appear on the panel below the throttle...  Thanks much.  Matt.

Do you have a Multimeter?  I honestly can't imagine owning a modern wake boat without one.  Test to see if you're getting low voltage, or no voltage, at the connector to the wires for the pump.  I've seen these pumps not operate if the voltage is less then 11.3V.  A little corrosion, a nicked wire, or a bad connection can cause the pump to stop working.  

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