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Go Back   WakeWorld > >> Boats, Accessories & Tow Vehicles Archive > Archive through July 10, 2008

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Old     (oaf)      Join Date: Jul 2002       07-03-2008, 7:38 AM Reply   
When installing a auto ballast system what is the best tubing to use?

Also has anyone used flex PVC pipe which is considered a hose. http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi

Thanks
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       07-03-2008, 7:41 AM Reply   
Pretty sure that's what my ballast system is made of.
Old     (trace)      Join Date: Feb 2002       07-03-2008, 7:46 AM Reply   
Flexible PVC is good stuff, but it's really stiff and doesn't bend into short radii well at all. I use flexible PVC on my 1.5" main intake, but I prefer this black spiral ribbed hose I found in the koi pond section at Lowe's for all the 1" fill and drain lines. It's much softer, and makes sharp bends without kinking. Great for snaking thru motor compartments, and moves easily as the sacks fill.
Old     (talltigeguy)      Join Date: Sep 2003       07-03-2008, 8:00 AM Reply   
I think that is what I have seen MC and/or Malibu use.
Old     (denverd1)      Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tyler       07-03-2008, 8:39 AM Reply   
I used braided hose for 90% of my ballast system. Pry overkill, since I don't have any vacuum in my system with aerators. works well, but stiff. Spiral ribbed flex PVC is what I bought last and seemed a lot more flexible, yet still had some "diameter strength" -- if ya know what I mean....
Old     (rich_g)      Join Date: May 2003       07-03-2008, 9:38 AM Reply   
I used the 1" flex pvc, also called Spa Tubing at Lowe's. It's good stuff once its in place, but is a challenge to work with; you have to use heat to get it to slide over the fittings.

It is almost impossible to take it off of a fitting if you have to change something. I have had to cut it off a time or two.
Old     (market_open)      Join Date: Apr 2007       07-03-2008, 10:30 AM Reply   
The hose from Flow-Rite Controls is like flex PVC but much more flexible and softer, available in 3/4" and 1-1/8". They also make the Qwik-Loc fittings like on the pro-X bags. The tubing is easy to work with crush resistant, and made to work with the quick disconnects. They also have some nice crimp type hose clamps. I used alot of their products in my ballast install. Check
https://www.flow-rite.com/store/marine/retail/marinestoreretail.html
Old     (lovin_the_wake)      Join Date: Jul 2007       07-03-2008, 10:43 AM Reply   
I used 3/4" and 1" heater hose from an auto parts its works perfectly and was pretty cheap
Old     (wakerider42)      Join Date: May 2002       07-03-2008, 2:44 PM Reply   
I use the same stuff Mark uses, straight from Flow-Rite.com. As Mark stated, Flow-Rite makes the Qwic-Loc fittings that Pro-X uses, and they are much cheaper direct from the manufacturer. The little clampy guys are sweet. Makes it very nice and clean. I even bought the crimp tool to get the clamp to look factory. I'm sure you could do it with a pair of Vice-Grips or Channel-Locks, but I figured, what the he||?

I don't think the hose is very easy to work with, though. While it's easy to route and doesn't kink (ever), it doesn't really like to go over standard barbed fittings that you'd get from Home Depot of Lowe's, so that makes component selection a bit more difficult. It fits over the barbs that Malibu uses, though. I ususally just soak the ends in hot water for a couple minutes, then get some saliva on there and go to town (keep your mind out of the gutter...) Can be a bit of a pain to work with, but it looks factory. I've had to cut some off when I wanted to change a routing.

EDIT: Coach, just saw your profile and you are in SoCal and ride Elsinore. I'm just over in Canyon Lake if you want to check some out. I have a bit of drop off from past installs. How much you need? Are you doing a whole system? I just did a system in a buddy's boat and we ended up not needing probably about 30 feet of the tubing we bought (stock routing ended up not needing much modification). He might be willing to part with it for a bit less than new from Flow-Rite. Hit my e-mail up (see profile) if you are interested.

Danny

(Message edited by wakerider42 on July 03, 2008)
Old     (mikeski)      Join Date: Aug 2003       07-03-2008, 4:16 PM Reply   
Used 1" plastic flexible electrical conduit, it doesn't collapse under suction, and it's oil resistant. Available at most larger hardware stores.

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