my rear ballast pump install

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-10-2006, 12:43 AM

I finally got my rear ballast pumps plumbed and wired in my 2000 VLX...

I used PVC to go from a new center hull hole to left/right ballast puppies.

I put a ball valve from the center hull hole to a "T" in the main PVC trunk.

I put a fuse block in to power my amp, lights and ballast pumps.

I mounted the left ballast puppy against the side wall.

I mounted the right ballast puppy against the other side wall.

I put the fill/empty left/right switches in a switch box located under the seat -- a simple short wire (non-relay) solution.

I used garden hose to connect to my budda bags.

FILL

Both 500lb budda bags fill in parallel in 6.5 minutes.

EMPTY

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?

(Message edited by greatdane on July 10, 2006)

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-10-2006, 6:59 AM

Nice install.

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.

They sell this type of hose at most boat places. I think it is sanitation hose. Does not collapse or kink:

Upload

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 07-10-2006, 8:24 AM

FB,

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?

I have the same hose as FB, and it works great, will not kink or collapse.

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 07-10-2006, 8:27 AM

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

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-10-2006, 8:33 AM

Talltigeguy -- the tape is silcone tape. I think for plumbing. Found it at Home Depot.

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.

http://www.findtape.com/product160/Nashua-386-Silicone-Sealing-Tape.aspx?bc=F

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-10-2006, 8:39 AM

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.

(norcalmalibu) · (norcalmalibu) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 07-10-2006, 8:45 AM

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.

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-10-2006, 9:24 AM

Thank for the help!

I will give that "sanitation" hose a try.

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.

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.

(Message edited by greatdane on July 10, 2006)

(jarrod) · (jarrod) **Join Date: May 2003** 07-10-2006, 9:27 AM

Nice Dane!

You did a nice job.

(bruce) · (bruce) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 07-10-2006, 11:43 AM

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.

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 07-10-2006, 11:54 AM

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.
http://www.marinehose.com/mpi/products_water_141.htm

Thanks FB - that tape looks great! Another expense for the boat.

(wake_upppp) · (wake_upppp) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 07-10-2006, 7:52 PM

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.

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-10-2006, 10:11 PM

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"?

(norcalmalibu) · (norcalmalibu) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 07-10-2006, 10:48 PM

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

(dizzyg) · (dizzyg) **Join Date: May 2005** 07-11-2006, 11:15 AM

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

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-15-2006, 3:37 PM

After changing the garden hoses to 3/4" spa hoses, the system worked perfectly!

We rode with this setup all day yesterday.

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.

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.

Geeze, I should have done this long ago!

(rich_g) · (rich_g) **Join Date: May 2003** 07-15-2006, 7:39 PM

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.