I finally got my rear ballast pumps plumbed and wired in my 2000 VLX... <BR> <BR>I used PVC to go from a new center hull hole to left/right ballast puppies. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343654.jpg" alt="1"> <BR> <BR>I put a ball valve from the center hull hole to a "T" in the main PVC trunk. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343655.jpg" alt="2"> <BR> <BR>I put a fuse block in to power my amp, lights and ballast pumps. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343656.jpg" alt="3"> <BR> <BR>I mounted the left ballast puppy against the side wall. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343657.jpg" alt="4"> <BR> <BR>I mounted the right ballast puppy against the other side wall. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343658.jpg" alt="5"> <BR> <BR>I put the fill/empty left/right switches in a switch box located under the seat -- a simple short wire (non-relay) solution. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343659.jpg" alt="6"> <BR> <BR>I used garden hose to connect to my budda bags. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343660.jpg" alt="7"> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343661.jpg" alt="8"> <BR> <BR>FILL <BR> <BR>Both 500lb budda bags fill in parallel in 6.5 minutes. <BR> <BR>EMPTY <BR> <BR>The garden hoses collapse interfering with draining. So, I will need to make a change. Either convert to a PVC solution or convert to non-collapsing hoses. Any advice? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by greatdane on July 10, 2006)

Nice install. <BR> <BR>I see also that you (unlike MC at least on our 03 X2 -- I had to turn one of the pumps) made use of the reversible heads on the pumps so that the impeller part can be turned down and avoid risk of dripping in the pump motor in case of a leak. <BR> <BR>They sell this type of hose at most boat places. I think it is sanitation hose. Does not collapse or kink: <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/343700.jpg" alt="Upload">

FB, <BR> <BR>After slicing my finger open on one of my hose clamps this weekend, I am looking for something to cover the clamps with. Did you use heat shrink, or is that just electrical tape covering the clamps? <BR> <BR>I have the same hose as FB, and it works great, will not kink or collapse.

why not use a quick release fitting? Are you usign fly high bags?

Talltigeguy -- the tape is silcone tape. I think for plumbing. Found it at Home Depot. <BR> <BR>It has no adhesive (ie no goo residue like electrical tape), but sticks to itself. End-result is similar to heat shrink, with the advantage of being able to wrap it around whatever and no risk of melting things. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.findtape.com/product160/Nashua-386-Silicone-Sealing-Tape.aspx?bc=F" target="_blank">http://www.findtape.com/product160/Nashua-386-Silicone-Sealing-Tape.aspx?bc=F</a>

adam -- already had these rear locker ones in place and they work, so haven't seen a need to tinker with them. I am using the flo-rite quick connects in my integrated bow sack though.

Another version of that tape is called "extream tape" comes in white or black. I have used it on my ballast system and works great. A little pricy for how small of roll you get. You can also buy the sanitation hose at homedepot also.

Thank for the help! <BR> <BR>I will give that "sanitation" hose a try. <BR> <BR>Yes, I installed both pumps motor up. And, since the pumps are reversible, I simply wired one pump opposite the other. I used an 8-to-8 wiring blocking inside my switch box, so its pretty easy to switch connections around. <BR> <BR>Do you know if the forward/reverse pumping rates are unequal? If so, then I will want to flip the pump head on one of the pumps. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by greatdane on July 10, 2006)

Nice Dane! <BR> <BR>You did a nice job.

The sanitation hoses are extremely rigid and almost impossible to get onto a fitting without boiling hot water, plus I couldn't find it anywhere. I used some 3/4 clear tubing at Lowes/HD and it does just fine. I micowaved some water and put it in a coffee cup and dipped the hose in it to get my fittings on. A hotpot would be eaiser.

THis is the stuff that came with my Rival system. I think it is the best that I have seen. It won't kink (I actually tried to bend it in half) but is a bear to get onto some fittings. <BR><a href="http://www.marinehose.com/mpi/products_water_141.htm" target="_blank">http://www.marinehose.com/mpi/products_water_141.htm</a> <BR> <BR>Thanks FB - that tape looks great! Another expense for the boat.

GD, install looks good. One little tid bit to keep in mind when using non-collapsable hose, make sure you tighten the clamps REAL GOOD or it will not have much clamping force on the hose/fitting.

Nate, I went past Home Depot tonight and they had only 1.1/4 hose like this. Do you know a Home Depot that has 3/4"?

im almost positive the P town one has it, I use it on my tusnami pump and its 3/4. I tried looking on there website but no luck. You can always order it online if it comes down to it or stop by a westmarine

fb I used that same type of hose in our malibu, I love that it's flexible but doesn't kink or collapse!

After changing the garden hoses to 3/4" spa hoses, the system worked perfectly! <BR> <BR>We rode with this setup all day yesterday. <BR> <BR>My wakeboard wake was better than ever since I can now over-fill the rear sacks to the perfect level to get a more vert wake. I think I had about 550 lbs in each. <BR> <BR>And, my surf wake was great. I emptied a bag on one side and refilled it on the other side putting about 1100 lbs on the surf side of the boat. <BR> <BR>Geeze, I should have done this long ago!

if you have a West Marine store nearby, check out their hose section. It's mostly for plumbing needs on yachts and sailboats, but quite a variety of clear braided hose - definitely a step up from the garden hose.