Ballast System Question

mustang_2146 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 31 City: Murfreesboro

I am thinking about putting a ballast system in. I have two drawings of what the system would look like. I am planing on using 4 simer pumps. I am planing on using 1 thru hull for 2 pumps. Is a 1.5" thru hull enough to supply 2 simer pumps? For option B will rear sac pump water back to the second pump to fill the front bag?

dizzlestoy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 305 City: dallas

imo i think that option b is the best.. in option a it looks to me there would be alot of restriction in the lines, though it would work. but it would put alot of stress on the cv and the pumps themselves. my .02

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

The problem with pumping back through the intake hole is that when the boat is in motion it is trying to force water through that hole. So you may not be able to pump water out while in motion, and if you are it won't pump as effectively. This is why on factory systems if they use the same intake hole the run it out of the transom of the boat. The problem is if you do that you can't fill while moving.

You are already planning to run an overflow out so I would just use that.

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 17, 2007 11:17 am Post subject:

If in Option A what you have labeled as "Thru Hull Out" is above the waterline, you'll be suckin' air when you go to fill....you'll pull suction on you green "Drain" line...

And yes, an 1 1/2" thru hull is enough...

mustang_2146 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 31 City: Murfreesboro

Yeah I see what your saying about suckin' air. How do I drain out the side of the boat to make Option A work?

P hat in Cincy · Posted: Aug 19, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject:

mustang_2146 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 31 City: Murfreesboro

Thanks, everyone. I think I might be installing option b for simplicity.

gghost · Criminal Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 City: hamilton

i have been debating the same thing my problem with option b is that you would not know if your sacs were empty unless you monitored them and you run the chance of burning your pump up by running it dry. let me know how it works for you when you hook it up.

gghost · Criminal Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 City: hamilton

so i put this similar setup in my boat and it worked great for almost a whole season, had no issues with it at all then all of a suden i started burning up impellers and have been through 4 impellers/pump heads on 2 different pumps it must be something with it not getting primed... I don't believe these pumps to be durable enough for ballast operation however others have had more success out of them than myself. I will be sticking with aerator pumps.

drknute3 · Criminal Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 50

gghost · Criminal Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 City: hamilton

option b (the first one) drains out the intake... option a drains out the vent lines... I would recomend using aerator pumps they are not any harder to install and they will last longer and they cost less

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Feb 20, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

Wow I have a post talking about this exact same thing. I also plan on doing a system this spring and am mulling over the exact same two options. In my post:

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=80568

WakeMikey says that if you go with option A, you will hear the pump make a sound like sucking out of a straw when it is done pumping back out. I think if I go with option B (I am also leaning that way as well right now, I plan on putting the through hull on the transom to make emptying while moving a little easier. Then again will I hear the pump making a sucking noise while bombing down the lake?

Let me know when you make up your mind for sure. I am very curious as to what you will do. What boat is this going in? Mines an 89 malibu sunsetter. Would be creepy if we did the same boat Wink

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

Well going by the pictures above... The first pic looks good to me. The sacs fill and drain out the same hole. Only when the sac is full does it pour out the overflow line and out the side of the boat. One reversible Simer pump will fill two sacs in about 10 mins.

The second picture it looks like you are talking about aerator pumps? If so the drawing isn't quite right imho. The sac needs one pump to fill the sac, then another pump to drain it.

Most people put two aerator pumps on each sac. I think two pumps would be able to handle four sacs as well though, just slower. With Simers I don't know if they are faster, but it seems like people use just one or two on most systems.

Here's a quick drawing of what I think that would look like.

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

I would go with your first drawing. Relabel fill to fill/drain

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

OK here is an aerator style install from Vette in a Saltaire (bigger than SunSport):

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/594635.html

He used two pumps for each back, six total. He has them all located near each other on a mounting board for convenience. This is very common.

Now this is a nice system and fast since it has a pump for each bag. He says they are cheaper and can run dry without burning. I would have to disagree that it is much more expensive to need 6 pumps instead or two or even three Simers. Mine have run dry for over a minute and impellor is fine. Plus mine are self priming if they get air in the lines they will power through it.

Now aerator pumps are also not ignition proof, but Vette puts his in the back of the bilge valley near the rudder. This is technically in the bilge which is exposed to fumes and explosion danger. Last I checked he was still alive. So these fears are often overstated for liability purposes, but it pays to be careful. I put mine under the spotters seat which forced me to run longer tubing runs. The pump still runs fine.