Anyone ever attempted to fix a ballast pump?

rico

I found a good deal on a direct replacement but was wondering if any of you guys think it is possible to fix a ballast pump.

I think the issue is some water leaked into the pump motor and it's not happy about it.

It runs for a sec and dies.

oldjeep

Ballast pump cartridges are cheap and not really serviceable. If the motor got water in it, it is likely all corroded. The ones for my boat are about $40
https://www.malibuparts.com/products/ballast-pump-cartridge

rico

The type I am talking about is not cheap https://inboardgarage.com/plumbing/spx-flow-johnson-pump-13-7-gpm-ballast-pump/

rico

I opened the pump and it took water in. I cleaned it and dried it and it now turns freely. I can see that there is an issue with the seal not staying in place and water being able to come in to the motor if the pump is mounted impeller up.

I dried the motor with hair dryer and will check if it works again next time. Looks like those seals need to be lubricated. and checked on a regular basis.

oldjeep

Jeebus that thing looks huge. How big a tank does it fill? Johnson likely sells replacement motors, or a motor rebuild shop could do it if your fix doesn't work. Have to say I have not seen a ballast pump like that before.
Edit gpm looks same as my cheap malibu stuff.

rico

This is too fill the ballast tank in 1min. I don’t always run [email protected] but when I do, I don’t like to wait for the ballast to be full 😀

rico

I sprayed it with WD-40 dried it again and put it back together. The impeller is turning free again. I will try tomorrow but confident it is fixed.

oldjeep

13.7 gallons per minute. Must be a tiny tank
Water is about 8lbs per gallon, so 109 lbs of ballast?

rico

@oldjeep I slalom I don't wakesurf :-) I think I fill my ballast in just over a minute and it must be about 20 gal

oldjeep

@rico I fill 200lbs of ballast to ski, while comfortably seating 5