Intake valve for ballast

Doug · Posted: Feb 26, 2003 4:58 pm Post subject: Intake valve for ballast

Is the Flow-Rite valve the only recomended valve for the intake to the pump(s). What makes this valve so unique from electric valves. Are there any electric valves that can be used?! I'm planning on making an aluminum manifold for aerator pumps. Shocked

jim Bogden · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 178 City: Sandy, UT

the flow rite doesnt have obstructions that decrease flow rate like solenoid valves.

Doug · Posted: Feb 27, 2003 5:05 am Post subject:

OK, I'm learning about valves. But how about in controlling other parts of the system. I need one for the empty pump. Is an electric valve OK for this function.

jim Bogden · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 178 City: Sandy, UT

i personally dont care how long it takes to empty because I can empty while waiting for the trailer and even on the ramp if necessary so yeah use an electric valve for that if you dont care about restricting the flow rate.

Xbrdr1 · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

I'm using 3 irritrol 2400's. One valve for each bag on the sides of the motor (VDrive) and one for the front sacs. http://www.irritrolsystems.com/valves/2400_2600.html

When charged (12vdc) they open to allow the flow in....when turned off,
they allow flow backwards...

So, if I only want one bag to fill in the back, I open one valve and close the other and run the pump forward. This will fill the bag with the OPEN valve.

And, if I want to empty one bag, I do the same...I open one valve and close the other and run the pump in reverse. This will empty the bag with the CLOSED valve.

Not the quickest...but like Jim said...who cares while emptying...there's always extra time...and it fills while running...so the time to launch boat,get to your spot, suit up, and begin riding...usually every bit of about 12-15min.

This was all bench tested with buckets of water/valves/pump.
Waiting for the ice to thaw to run it in the boat.

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

I use valves only on the inputs. I have one hose to each sack with a tee in the line to each drain pump. I get a little water flowing through the drain pump while filling, but no restriction when draining. You can reduce the amount of flow through by routing hoses carefully. I have one fill pump, and a drain pump for each sack. I use Toro sprinkler valves. Xbrder, I like your setup because you only have one pump. I have gone back and forth with different types of pumps and have had decent results with aerator pumps, as long as you position them with the inlet lower than the outlet.

Xwake · Posted: Mar 02, 2003 11:03 am Post subject:

Doug,

Are you modeling your manifold after something? If you don't mind me asking what type of configuration will it have? How many Inlets what size Inlet and how many outlets and their size?. I am about to do this myself and was wondering if you had any thoughts. The one I'm getting ready to build will have a 1.25 inch inlet and 3 .75 inch outlets. I'm just not sure where exactly to place the inlet and outlets. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

-Bo

Doug · Posted: Mar 02, 2003 1:02 pm Post subject:

Xwake, My present plan is to make the manifold from 3" square aluminum tubing. The ends will be welded shut with end plate made aluminum angle. My system will have three 1000gph pumps for each bag. The bags will be emptied by a single, 2000gph pump. The empty pump will have a valve on the output, so during the fill mode water will not be lost through the empty pump. I will also be using an under hull scope to provide priming of the pumps when filling.

Doug G

Doug · Posted: Mar 02, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject:

Sorry Xwake, I didn't answer your question completely. Got side tracked. My system will be using 1 1/4" tubing from the scoop to the manifold, and the same for the drain. The bags will be filled using 3/4" tubing. I will post pics.

Doug G

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

If you ever saw a Hippo manifold, they were pretty sleek. They were more or less a 2" aluminum pipe about 8" long with a 1" inlet from a Rule 1100 on one end, capped off on the other. The outlets were 3/4" , at a 45 deg angle, like a 1" pipe slash cut and welded to the side of the 2". It was all cast aluminum. I had a picture but I can't find it. They had custom 3/4" sprinkler valves attached directly to the manifold and aerator pumps on each bag to drain them. They ran into money and logistical problems and went tits up last year. Things have progressed since then, most manufacturers are working on a variation of the Calabria hull flooding system, which is the future.

Xwake · Posted: Mar 02, 2003 8:39 pm Post subject:

Doug,

Where are you getting the 3" tubing and angle? It seems no one carries that stuff around here. Any ideas where I can come across that stuff?

Cyclonecj,

Thanks for the description. That really helps alot. The new 2002 X-star's use a cast aluminum manifold. I've gotten a look at it, but couldn't get close enough for any amount of detail. Hopefully I can get back over there for a more detailed look.

Thanks for the info.

-Bo

D.C. · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 7 City: OR.

MAKE THE MANIFOLD OUT OF PVC PIPE IT ALOT CHEEPER

Doug · Posted: Mar 06, 2003 8:47 am Post subject:

Xwake, I purchased my metal from Metal Supermarkets, which is a small supply company. If you would like to get ahold of them, I can give you there phone #. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will have the parts machined and welded.

Xwake · Posted: Mar 08, 2003 9:23 pm Post subject:

Doug,

I appreciate the offer on the phone number, but I ran into a little luck. I happened to come across a scrap block of aluminum. It's competely solid and is 3" x 4" x 6". It's absolutely perfect for creating a manifold. I plan on having it machined week after next.

I'll post pictures of the finished product if anyone is interested.

Thanks,

Xwake

DC · Soul Rider Joined: 11 Mar 2003 Posts: 456

Xwake - any pictures of your custom manifold would be great!

Xwake · Posted: Mar 20, 2003 5:05 pm Post subject:

DC,

Check out the New Topic titled "Custom Aluminum Manifold - Pics".

-Xwake