NXT 20 Ballast

[mdshaffer]

Brand new NXT 20 2016, back tanks and ballast bags won't fill. Pumps work, no problem. Service guy says there is air in the line. Said to drive boat fast to prime the pump, but that doesn't work. Does anyone know how to get the air out?

[SS LS1]

Does your NXT have a shut off valve located on the through hull fitting like the X-Series boats do? If so is that valve turned on to allow the water to get to the pumps?

[mdshaffer]

Yes, the valve is on. But thanks for your post. Appreciate it.

The center hard tank works, but the back tanks and bags are spotty (and now recently the port side doesn't work at all). Some water has trickled in, but it's not right. Shouldn't take 30-45 minutes driving on plane to load the bags. In the demo (Fall 2016) before winterization everything worked. Now, after winterization only the center tank has worked reliably. I think something in the winterization process (done by dealer) might have messed things up, unfortunately.

[SteveO]

Sounds like it may have been an early 16 that doesn't have the "anti siphon elbow' or what ever its called to keep the vacuum from occurring? If you unhook the hose from the bag and blow in the line (or suck) with the pump running, it may clear the air pocket.

[mdshaffer]

Thanks SteveO, I will try that! Appreciate it.

[blackhawk]

Does the NXT have check valves in the overflow lines? You said the problem started after winterization, just wondering if the check valves froze and were damaged.

[XC500mod]

mdshaffer,

I don't know much about your problem except that you have 2016 boat with a bow to stern warranty that is working the way it should. You should drop the boat off at the dealer and tell them to make it work the way it should ASAP. If it's going to be longer than a couple days you need a loaner boat.

I too am in the midwest and have an excellent dealer that comes out to my boat on the lake to fix all problems. They do this without argument, get to the boat within 24 hours of the call, and call back in 48-72 hours to make sure everything is working the way it should.

Your dealer should be fixing this, that's why you have a warranty.

[snork]

see if theres any check valves and were not installed backwards

[TN Barefooter]

I own an NXT and any issues I have I call the dealer and he takes care of it immediately. I have the same set up bags over hard tanks and they fill right up. Give your dealer a call. They should figure it out for you. Check the warranty, I'm not sure if the pumps are covered or not. I'm not home or I would check for you. Let us know how it turns out.


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[mdshaffer]

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys, seriously great ideas. We brought the boat to dealer, finally (not particularly fun given travel time and traffic, not to mention 85+ degree perfect weather and no boat for days/week+ sucks). Will let you know the outcome. Thanks again.

[SteveO]

Other option to delay the trip and keep the day on the water alive is use a manual pump to fill, since the drain is a separate pump.

[xbrdr1]

+2 on taking off the hose coming into the bag, turn the pump on, and suck. If you don't get water something is blocking the flow.

Also, I think some dealers cover(tape) the intake holes for the ballast.

[mdshaffer]

Boat came back from dealer. They reversed the bags and inflow/drain lines (at least that is what they told me; not sure if they did some other things too). First time back in the lake trying to fill tanks/bags it did not work. Urghhh... But after performing a couple more "tricks" to get the air out of lines, all tanks and bags filled. Will continue to try it in coming days, with fingers crossed.

Basically, these darn things simply get air in the line, the tsunami pumps etc. But now I have a few more "tricks" (too weird to explain) to try to remove the air. Good luck to those with similar issues. Wish I had more definitive answers and prescriptions for you. And thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

[lashburn1]

Boat came back from dealer. They reversed the bags and inflow/drain lines (at least that is what they told me; not sure if they did some other things too). First time back in the lake trying to fill tanks/bags it did not work. Urghhh... But after performing a couple more "tricks" to get the air out of lines, all tanks and bags filled. Will continue to try it in coming days, with fingers crossed.

Basically, these darn things simply get air in the line, the tsunami pumps etc. But now I have a few more "tricks" (too weird to explain) to try to remove the air. Good luck to those with similar issues. Wish I had more definitive answers and prescriptions for you. And thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

I've heard of hit and miss luck with the NXT Tsunami Pumps, pretty much by design and cost savings.
It was not a "deal breaker" when looking at NXT , but def something I thought about in the big picture.

Im sure you will be fine and enjoying your boat in no time..
Probably will just take a learning curve on what fill method works best.