ballast backflow preventers

(c640947) · (c640947) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 09-13-2007, 10:06 AM

OK I bought some of these the when I plumbed the rear sacs and now that I am trying to plumb the front I can't find the same models. Anyone know where I can get some of these backflow preventers?

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I have already checked a local plumbing store, Ace, True Value, Lowe's, Home Depot. I got em at an Ace, but they can't seem to find them anymore. Non-barbed, 1" backflow preventers.

Any help is appreciated.

(c640947) · (c640947) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 09-13-2007, 10:17 AM

of course, as soon as i ask, I find em on west marine. why didnt i look there before?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/20331/377%20710/0/check%20valve/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=check%20valve&Ntk=Primary%2 0Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyw ord=check%20valve&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=null&s ubdeptNum=null&classNum=null

(nasty530) · (nasty530) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 09-13-2007, 10:17 AM

Those are pretty sweet looking. I looked around extensively when I was putting together my system and could not find anything. I ended up purchasing check valves but they seem like they prevent flow. If you find more of these please let me know!!

(showtime) · (showtime) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 09-13-2007, 10:27 AM

T-bag, I ran into the same problem, and they did prevent flow. I just ended up using 1/4 turn valves...

(rich_g) · (rich_g) **Join Date: May 2003** 09-13-2007, 11:01 AM

those are much smaller than the pvc plumbing swing-check valves I have seen. I need to add check valves on 2 of my 1" fill lines.

Does anyone have experience with these? Do they work by means of a rubber flap, or a spring valve?

(jon4pres) · (jon4pres) **Join Date: May 2004** 09-13-2007, 11:10 AM

I used platic threaded ball valves that I got at my local ace and drilled the spring out of them. This made them flow a LOT better.

(nasty530) · (nasty530) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 09-13-2007, 11:38 AM

Jon, how did you did drill out the spring?

(jon4pres) · (jon4pres) **Join Date: May 2004** 09-13-2007, 12:50 PM

If you look in the end of a pvc check valve you will see an X shape with a circle in the end. The circle is where the spring sits that keep pressure against the ball valve. Use a drill bit that is the size of the circle in the middle of the X and just drill it out. Then pull the spring and any shavings out with tweezers.

I have only used my my sytsem a couple of times since I drilled them out but it seems like to be working great. I know it is flowing a lot more water and seems to be keeping the bags full.

(c640947) · (c640947) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 09-13-2007, 1:26 PM

I have used them (obviously installed in my boat from the pics above) and bought more from west marine. They are the flap style, and work perfectly. West Marine was sellin em for $15, which seemed pricey. If anyone finds em cheaper, post up.

(nasty530) · (nasty530) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 09-13-2007, 1:51 PM

Yea, there is no way I'm gonna pay that much for them. Considering I need 8 of them, I dont wanna be cheap but heck

(xstarrider) · (xstarrider) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 09-13-2007, 2:16 PM

That isn't pricey at all. MC wants 22 bucks for same thing in 3/4inch

I did a search as wel for about 2months. Best I could find was West Marine. After the fact a buddy said check out a garden store that handle ponds and stuff. They use them...never did, but worth a shot

T-Bag what do you need 8 for? Just curious. Most I would think would be 4

(Message edited by xstarrider on September 13, 2007)

(nasty530) · (nasty530) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 09-13-2007, 2:23 PM

I am running 6 bags on 4 reversable pumps so two per pump... gets expensive. I am using ball check valves but I have an idea they are preventing some of the flow I have paid so much for.

(malibu_monkey) · (malibu_monkey) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 09-13-2007, 3:13 PM

I used swing check valves from the local hardware store. I have the Jabsco pumps, and they work great. Just make sure you get the swing and not the spring valves.

(w00taz) · (w00taz) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 09-13-2007, 10:48 PM

more info from the mfg. of these valves from west marine.

http://www.thebosworthco.com/valves_2.htm

(w00taz) · (w00taz) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 09-13-2007, 10:48 PM

another source roughly 1/2 price as WMarine

http://www.homeandbeyond.com/prod-0041163.html

(rich_g) · (rich_g) **Join Date: May 2003** 09-14-2007, 7:40 AM

good work Scott

the product description says it fits 1.25" to 1.5" tubing, so it won't work for applications with 3/4 or 1" tubing.

(xstarrider) · (xstarrider) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 09-14-2007, 7:56 AM

Yeah those can be had at any Home Depot/Lowes. They are for sum pumps and what not. Like you said can't get then in 1inch or 3/4 which is used on boats.

(jon4pres) · (jon4pres) **Join Date: May 2004** 09-14-2007, 11:31 AM

T-bag, Take your ball valves out and drill the spring out. I bet it will help your flow a lot and if you already have them it will be free.

(nasty530) · (nasty530) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 09-14-2007, 12:05 PM

I have plumbed most of my system using hard line PVC so I would have to hack everything apart :-(

How much do you think they are actually limiting? I am using 3 Jabsco reversable 9.1 GPM pumps and aprox. 2800 lbs ballast if that helps in any way

(jon4pres) · (jon4pres) **Join Date: May 2004** 09-14-2007, 1:19 PM

How long does it take to fill??

(trace) · (trace) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 09-14-2007, 2:02 PM

You're not losing much capacity if you have Jabscos. They put out enough pressure (like 40 psi) to hold those spring check valves open with no problem. Aerators, OTOH, barely make enough pressure to even crack a spring check, so swing checks in an aerator system will help flow rates a lot.