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The correct way to build a ballast system

 
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Jun 07, 2005 6:54 am    Post subject: The correct way to build a ballast system Reply with quote

After a couple of years of reading posts on homemade ballast systems, and a couple of different attempts at it, I'm pretty confident that I have arrived at the best way to do it. The answer is: Download by Rival

http://www.rivalindustry.com/download.htm

Very fast, very reliable, low power draw and very reasonably priced. Really, by the time you buy all the parts, tubing, wiring, pumps, switches, etc. you aren't saving a ton over just buying Rival's complete system. If you want the best turnkey system on the market, Rival has it.

However, this is a DIY forum, so I'm going to share my system, which is obviously based on the principles of the Rival system.
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Jun 07, 2005 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is a list of the parts needed, and online suppliers:




Electric Gate Valve:

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=3&subOf=252,19&skunum=26178

Swing check valve (3/4”):

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvccheck.html

Rule 1100 GPH livewell pump (205FC):

http://www.cgedwards.com/Rule/rule03.html#201fc

Thru-Hull scoop strainer:

http://www.go2marine.com/frameset.jsp?servletPath=/g2m/action/GoBPage/id/54468F/hiLiteSku/54472/categoryId/11650/

Stainless steel thru-hull fitting:

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/product.cgi?group=71476&product=82951

Contura waterproof switch: DPDT, on/off/on (pump) #96149
DPDT, mom.on/off/mom.on (valve) #96151

http://www.go2marine.com/frameset.jsp?servletPath=/g2m/action/GoBPage/id/96137F/hiLiteSku/96150/categoryId/13157/


Last edited by Yooper on Aug 11, 2007 9:29 am; edited 2 times in total
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slappie
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PostPosted: Jul 06, 2005 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where did you get the Contura switch covers with the custom lettering on them?

I need one for a mute button for my stereo.

I've got the switch but the one I have has a cover that says "Depth Sounder" on it and not Mute. Not a big deal, but I'm trying to mute the stereo, not the depth sounder Very Happy
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holiday13
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PostPosted: Jul 07, 2005 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yooper, Thanks for the links, I have been looking for that gate valve and honestly never thought RV. Just ordered mine. Thanks again!
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Jay Dutton
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PostPosted: Jul 26, 2005 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How do you get those aerators to prime to empty? Do you have the bags on top of them? I'm looking to redo my system as my Simer pump is slow as balls.
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AndyDeeJay
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PostPosted: Jul 27, 2005 3:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

how slow are balls?
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re re
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PostPosted: Jul 27, 2005 4:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jay Dutton, As long as the water level in your sacs is higher than the pumps, they will prime just fine. I have an identical setup in my boat, except for the gate valve and I use the $18 Attwood 750s from Walmart.
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410fortune
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PostPosted: Jul 28, 2005 7:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think you have too much extra room in your boat Smile

Setup looks really nice.
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Sinkoumn
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PostPosted: Jul 28, 2005 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I made mine out of my three fat sacs, and two regular ballast pumps (a 750, and 1750gph), and ~$30 worth of tubing and random stuff like two fill/emtpy buttons. works perfect.
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southshoresledder
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PostPosted: Aug 21, 2005 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bro i printed this out forsure... what was the estimated price on all that... good work...
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Aug 22, 2005 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It wasn't all that cheap, but I tell ya..... it works freakin' great! No complaints whatsoever. My 2 1/2 yr. old daughter turned on one of my pumps while the boat was in the garage. I'm not sure exactly how long it ran, but it was hours. No problems. Didn't hurt the pump or drain the battery.
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actiondcpd
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PostPosted: Aug 22, 2005 2:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yooper, Looks pretty nice. Can you show some additional pictures of your check valves installed? Have you tried the spring check valves or are the swing the only way to go? One thing I think that is the biggest PITA with ballast systems is fittings for everything!
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Aug 23, 2005 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of my biggest goals with this system was minimal resistance. The spring check valves add resistance. Plus, the vent tube needs to be able to vent with just a small amount of air coming out. The spring check wouldn't open in that situation. The swing checks are definitely the way to go. Here are some more pictures. I used bilge pump tubing for the empty and vent to avoid the possibility of kinking.
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actiondcpd
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PostPosted: Aug 23, 2005 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yooper, Aren't those swing check valves only for horizonal use only? It looks like your vent is not kept horizontal. DOes it still function correctly?
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Aug 23, 2005 9:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They can be horizontal or vertical. The valve in there is simply a hinged "flap" that swings open in one direction and is pushed shut in the other.
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southshoresledder
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PostPosted: Aug 23, 2005 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nice system... how much was that to do?
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85sn2001
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PostPosted: Aug 29, 2005 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any reason why you didn't use the Rule #207f 2000 gph pumps? Just wondering because I'm thinking about the same thing except with the 2000 gph pump.
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Aug 30, 2005 5:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think those were available at the time. I wouldn't mind upgrading at some point.
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Juice75
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PostPosted: Sep 19, 2005 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yooper, nice setup! When you use the swing valves, do the sacs still fill to capacity? Or does it start to overflow before they fill all the way up?
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Yooper
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PostPosted: Sep 20, 2005 6:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They fill all the way. The through hulls are higher than the vent hole on the sack.
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klaw81
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PostPosted: Oct 05, 2005 5:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We've recently installed a very similar system in our Matrix Sorrento (DD ski/wake boat similar size as Malibu Response) without the benefit of your excellent diagrams.

Our system has been set up without pumps for the "fill" operation, instead relying on the boat's forward motion to scoop up water and push it into the sacks, and controlled by a pair of irrigation solenoids. We're using the same pickup the factory installed for the motor cooling system (looks almost identical to the one in the Rival setup) and located beside the gearbox. We've run into a brick wall though: our thru-hull pickup doesn't seem to take in water except while the boat is stationary. In fact, it seems to have a mild vacuum at speed.

Have we just picked a bad spot to install the pickup, or is a special kind of pickup required for this sort of thing? I'm told ski-race boats use this sort of system for ballast in choppy water (makes the wash smoother for the skier apparently) but I can't imagine how the pickup doesn't suck up water by the bucketful.

Any ideas anyone? At the moment, it seems we just have an extra hole in our boat!
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Beaver
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PostPosted: Oct 21, 2005 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Probaly a stupid question but what are the check valves for?
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dburke
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PostPosted: Feb 27, 2006 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ive never drilled holes in the boat before so Im going to ask, what kind of drill bit do you use. When you drill these 1 1/4 " holes do you have a special bit?

Has anyone used the drain hole as the water source? Is the hole big enough?

Thanks.
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DLS
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PostPosted: Feb 27, 2006 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get a uni bit ,mask the area with tape and go for it.
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Wakeboarder3780
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PostPosted: Aug 11, 2010 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

was the purpose of the gate valve safety stop in the event of a leak or was there another purpose?
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NKCrider
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PostPosted: Aug 11, 2010 11:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

HOLY THREAD REVIVAL
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Waketheyeast
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PostPosted: Feb 07, 2011 10:22 am    Post subject: thread from the grave Reply with quote

Wakeboarder3780 wrote:
was the purpose of the gate valve safety stop in the event of a leak or was there another purpose?


This diagram shows how the ballast system should be done. The only valve is for safety in case you want to shut the water off.
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