Custom Ballast Pump Question..!!

AikenSCrider · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 2

When using aerator pumps I know they arent reversible.... and are not self priming... but if you drill through the hull below the waterline for the fill pumps wont they prime???? I drilled a hole in the side of a bucket and had the pump on the outside w/just the threads inside and filled it up and turned on the pump and it worked... I'm wondering if it will work on the hull of the boat as well...

vette74 · Posted: Aug 23, 2004 11:19 am Post subject:

My friend did that and he said it worked well he just had problems finding a spot low enough to mount the pumps on his malibu.

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 23, 2004 11:20 am Post subject:

Hey AikenSCrider,

Assuming the pump is also at or below the waterline it will prime.

Wes

wakeboarder89 · Addict Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Posts: 637

i know this is a dumb question but what d oyou mean by priming?

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 24, 2004 5:44 am Post subject:

Hey wakeboarder89,

http://www.engineersedge.com/pumps/priming.htm

Wes

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 24, 2004 9:16 am Post subject:

Perhaps more simply put, it won't lift water it can only push it uphill. So, if your ballast pump is mounted above the water line, you're dead. It must either be submersed (if it is designed to be like an aerator pump is) or have a water feed line that ensures it and it's feed line is always full of water. In a boat that means both the inlet and the pump must be mounted below the water line.