Removing air from fat sack - ballast system

Doug

Whenever I fill my fat sacks, I always have air trapped inside. I typically open up the other fill cap and push down on the bag to remove it, and recap the bag. In a semi automatic ballast system is there an easier way to do this? So that you throw a switch, completely fill the sack, and shut the pump off without having to mess with bleeding the air out?!

Krashr31 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 238 City: Florida

When you find an answer to this one let me know.

Zach M · Posted: Mar 03, 2003 7:37 am Post subject:

the only way I can think of is to open the other fill cap before you fill the sack with water. Just make sure you don't overflow it. That way the water will fill all the way to the top and your air will escape out the other side.

WRRide · Posted: Mar 04, 2003 7:46 am Post subject:

Attach a hose to the second cap and place the end of it higher than the sack this should allow the air to come out with out the water sloshing out of the sack. This way you should not have to mess with it.

ratm3706 · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 3 City: tn

On my homemade system, the seperate drain line acts as both the drain and a vent. This way, as the water fills the sac, the air travels out and once the sac is full, the water travels out and from the sound, you can tell that the sac is full. This also helps to prevet the sac from ever rupturing.

calair03 · Posted: Mar 30, 2003 2:15 pm Post subject:

Buy a Calabria with purevert and it has a vent to "burp" the ballast.

Breezer · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 246 City: Austin

This is my sac problem. When I remove the pump after it fills, or when I try to put the pump on to empty it, a bunch of water will shoot out before I get the piece on it. Is there some trick to switching the cap and pump without water spilling into the boat, or is that just a normal problem?

Jon · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1176

Breezer, that is a common problem. Its not hurting anything so I wouldn't worry about it. Just put the cap on fast. As for removing air, a friend told me to close one end of the sack and hook a vacuum cleaner up to the other end. It should suck most of the air out. Then hook back up your hose or cap or whatever. Some air will still be in it but it will get most out.