Some first-run issues?

[Ktown]

My 2002 SX seems to have the standard gauge problems.  I have what is explained as the millenium dash and have read about a MMDC fix, but can't seem to find any documents on the Maintenence page.  I would like to spend the time to make sure the appropriate power is being supplied to the gauges, however I don't want to re-invent the wheel if possible. 

After messing with Accuski for about 2 hours, I am considering switching to PP.  Where is the best place to purchase  Perfect Pass?  Has anyone had it installed by another boat dealer?  How much?  I hate the idea of being responsible for drilling a hole in the boat, but if it is going to cost a lot of money, what the hell!

Last question.  Is the ballast system Sea Cock open in the vertical or horizontal position.  Also, confirm it is the handle next to the pumps!

Thanks,

Ktown

[brad]

I believe the open position for the ballast valve is vertical and yes it is next to the pumps.  I'll confirm and let you know if it is different.

[SpokaneX22]

Open is vertical...I'm new at this but I have done it 20+ times this season already....pretty good getting out that many times considering I'm in the Northwest.

[lesman01]

what kind of gauge problems are you having. That will help determine the solution.

PP is the shiznit. I ordered directly from PerfectPass. THere's in Canada, aye, and they;ll ship it right to ya with the throttle connector that Pete designed. Tell em you have an epic and they'll send the right one.

Don;t sweat drillin the hole. THere is good documentation here about it. Wear goggles.

[Ktown]

I was having erratic indications on my speedometer and tach.  Sometimes nothing, sometimes pegged at 50, other times no speed and tach.  I tried cleaning out the tube with a pin, but it still did it off and on.  Today, I drove for about 2 hours with no problems (I turned the battery on and off before going out today!). 

However, I am having a few other issues that somone may be able to help out with.

1.  My ballast system is not indicating any ballast in the tanks.  It sounds as if water is flowing through the pump, but the indicators never show more than 1 bar.  All the pumps make noise when activated, but it doesn't seem as though water is getting where it needs to.  Also, I don't believe it is actually filling the tanks because when I hit the drain button I don't see any water going out the boat (I'm assuming it would drain similar to the bilge)  Any ideas?

2.  Does anyone have pictures of the accuski servo?  I've looked through the forum, but can't seem to find a picture of the accuski system.  I have been trying to get the system to work, but now wonder if I don't have a servo installed on the boat.  I have a red foot switch and the progamming is built into the mini-computer.  As for the throttle cable, it appears to have a cable installed underneath it on the engine mount, but the bottom cable does not look as though it could possible move anything.  Also, the bottom cable goes into a small box about 3" by 4" that is between the engine and vdrive.  I have no idea what this box or cable do!

I apologize if these questions have been asked or answered before, but I have searched and can't seem to find anything completely applicable.

Thanks,

Ktown


Oh, by the way, a buddy of mine just bought a Tige 2100V for about the same price I paid for my Epic.  While he does have Perfect Pass, he has already (less than 1 month old) had to be towed back due to an engine overheat.  I sure am glad I have the Lexus motor!

[wakejunky]

KTOWN

I too have an SX an can relate.

1. The only issues I've had with the ballast are that its too slow and the ballast control panel went dead for a while. I got the control panel working by simply unplugging the panel and plugging it back in. To fill the ballast system- make sure the manual valve is open (vertical). I always leave it open and have not had issues in my mind its only used for an emergency shut off. You must fill the ballast only when the boat is not moving. sometimes it helps to cycle the switch to get it to prime. after that it takes at least ten minutes to fill completely and when full it will overflow off both sides ( it is not full until both sides are overflowing). there's only one fill pump to fill both sides so no need to shut off one side. It is incredibly slow, although they use rule 1100 pumps the fill pump has to push through the empty pump and then downsize to 3/4 inch hose to to push through the solenoid valves and into the tanks. As for emptying-again the boat must not be moving, the pumps are in the front of the boat and if there is any bow rise whatsoever it will not drain. the system works exactly opposite of filling- out of the tanks, through the valves to the drain pump which then must pump through the fill pump to empty and out the intake grate. although we give it at least ten minutes to drain it usually ends up draining in the parking lot after you've pulled it up the ramp and to level ground. ( remember any bow rise and it will not drain, not even out of the water)

2. as for the servo- you have found it. Its the 3" by 4" box with the small cable. as for Accuski- just toss it. I had perfectpass on my E22 and thought I could live without it. I was thinking I just need to spend alot of time figuring out how Accuski works and it would get me by. I was verrryyy WRONG. Even after memorizing the manual and getting it to work the Accuski still varied 3 to 4 miles per hour after it engaged and was "?working?" So After several weeks of messing with accuski, dialing in the numbers, calibrating with a GPS and adjusting the servo cable to not "have any slack". I ordered perfectpass and its the best $1099 you will ever spend. Although I do sort of miss the auto pull up feature(when it worked) Accuski does not even compare. I can definitely say after installing perfectpass on two Toyota's I will not own another boat without it. Not that I'm ever going to sell my SX.

Oh yeah you will be amazed at what "perfect" speed does for the wake on an SX. I was? SHOCKED the first time I hit the wake after installing perfectpass. It was AMAZING! I did not think exact speed played that big of part in wake shape.

Hope this helps.

I do have a question for the masses.? My message center volt meter never reads above 13 volts, usually 12.2. The alternator is charging and i have 14.5 volts at the battery. some post suggest an extra ground ran up to the panel directly from the battery - Did nothing-. Another post suggests an additional battery supply line ran to the panel. Haven't tried it yet but I don't want to run anymore additional wires unless its gonna fix something. I just hate "clutter". I know this has been talked? about alot, but none of the post suggest a fix that was ever confirmed. any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
Doug

[Ktown]

Awesome post.? Thanks for the detailed info!? Perfect Pass is now at the top of my list of things to add to the boat, although I am very scared to drill a hole in the bottom of a boat.? I sent you an email about your perfect pass install, hopefully it didn't go straight to deleted items.

The next time I go out, I will check my gauge to see what the battery is showing.? I seem to remember a lower than normal reading, but thought it was just because the boat had not been in the water for a while.?

Thanks again,

Ktown

[Bitzco]

About all I can say is Amen to that ballast description. Slow. The only way you know it is draining is the slow dripping out of the grate on the bottom of the boat when you are out of the water. Filling 7 to 10 minutes, draining like 30 mins or more.

[Ktown]

Doug,

Checked my battery today and I also show about 12.8 on the messge center.  I have read the same posts you have and have read that our gauges are designed to be used with a dedicated power line to the gauges.  Some old posts talk about a procedure in the Mx section, but I couldn't find it.  Does anyone have this fix or has anyone done this? 

My issues continued!

Ballast: I have determined I have an indication problem on my ballast system.  I am definitely getting water into the ballast, just no indication as to how much.  Anyone seen this before?

Accuski:  Apparently I have the servo, however it never seems to work.  I can not get accuski to actually make a power change.  When looking at the throttle body (where the servo connects) I can not figure out how it would even move the throttle cable.  It seems connected to a part of the throttle body that does not move!  Looking forward to getting PP, but would like to get this thing working until I can upgrade.

Ktown





Thanks,

Ktown

[cyclone]

I ran a dedicated 12vdc pair (10 ga. fused) from the battery to the studs on the digital switchbox (black box up under the steering column) It fixed my voltage problems.

[Ktown]

This may be a stupid question, but what size fuse did you use?

Also, does anyone use two batteries?? Or have a back-up they recommend?

Thanks,

Ktown

[Ktown]

OK, I found the all the battery posts (need to add a blue top to my growing list) and I apologize for asking the stupid question! 

As for my ballast, I finally figured out that my indicators on the panel will not show full until I actually get uderway.  Now, I hit the fill button and let it fill for about 10 minutes (thanks for the help on this) and then turn it off.  After the boat is on plane it shows 2 full tanks (sweet wake as well).  So, if you think your ballast indicators are faulty, try running the ballast for at least 10 minutes, then power-up and check it!  Thanks and hope this helps another newbie like myself later on.  Oh, the drain definitely is pitiful!