White vs. Black hose and gray vs. white fittings?

[talltigeguy]

I thought I was a ballast guru and all, but as usual, I figured out I don't know crap. I am remanaging my MC ballast system, which has been harder than I thought, disconnecting every hose requires Herculean force, even when using a heat gun. So I have just cut them off when it is very difficult to reach them.

Anyway, I destroyed some 1.5 inch hose. No problem, because my local Lowe's carries the 1.5 inch spa hose. I grab a few feet of it and head home. The spa hose from Lowe's looks identical to the hose that was on there, but it is white, instead of black. But the white hose is loose on the 1.5 inch fittings, and the black is tight as a bear. The original fittings are white as well.

I have some other 1.5 inch fittings that are gray. The threads seem to be identical, but the white hose is tight as a bear on the gray fittings.

So it seems to me that the white barbed end matches the black hose....and the gray barbed fitting matches up with the white hose. All of them marked 1.5 inches. And I don't think this is an ID vs. OD problem, because I think that the white hose would be even bigger if that were the case. But who knows, I am obviously stupid.

So, do I buy new gray fittings to match my white hose, or buy new black hose to match the original white fittings? Is there an advantage to either one?

[talltigeguy]

Here you go. The threaded ends are identical, but the barbed ends are different sizes...

[talltigeguy]

So I went out and measured my hoses last night.

The white hose has ID of 1 and 9/16 and OD of 1 and 13/16.

The black hose has ID of 1 and 1/2 exactly and OD of 1 and 3/4.

The 1/16 inch difference really is the difference between a tight fit and being able to just slip it on and off easily. I was amazed at how little difference there is, but what a big difference it makes in practice.

[firefry17]

Rival Indust. Syst.

I have a 24ve and thought I had read your thread on installation. Can you tell me where I can get this Rival System? I have had difficulty even accessing the web site. I'm located in So. cal orange county.
Thx.

[chpthril]

I have a 24ve and thought I had read your thread on installation. Can you tell me where I can get this Rival System? I have had difficulty even accessing the web site. I'm located in So. cal orange county.
Thx.

From what I understand, Rival is out of Biz, 'bout a year or better now.

Do you need just the plumbing, or sacs as well?

[talltigeguy]

BTW, I have a manifold that I decided not to use. Will be posting pics for someone to pick up if they want it. That would save some trouble.

Rival is out of business.

It is not the same system, but www.wakemakers.com puts out a kit that is pretty decent so that you won't have to make many trips to the hardware store.

[chpthril]

BTW, I have a manifold that I decided not to use. Will be posting pics for someone to pick up if they want it. That would save some trouble.

Rival is out of business.

It is not the same system, but www.wakemakers.com puts out a kit that is pretty decent so that you won't have to make many trips to the hardware store.

From what I hear, this guy @ www.mikesliquidaudio.com puts together a fairly comprehensive kit tailored to each boat.......and even gives a tigeowners.com discount

[Micah]

I'll second CHP's statement. Firefry17 you don't need a Rival system. It's very easy to install a custom ballast system and it will probabaly work better too. Just get ahold of CHP and he will get you everything you need, then if you have any install questions just ask the forum. I think the biggest difference with playing around with my wake over the years came when I ordered the custom sacs from CHP, they weigh 1000 lbs when full and that makes all the difference in the world.

[xpjim1]

Tall. When I did my ballast I started with the lowes white hose and it was loose and leaked. I went to west marine and bought their 1 1/2 inch white marine hose and it was super tight. I think the spa hose is larger inside diameter. This was on a gray barbed fitting

[talltigeguy]

Tall. When I did my ballast I started with the lowes white hose and it was loose and leaked. I went to west marine and bought their 1 1/2 inch white marine hose and it was super tight. I think the spa hose is larger inside diameter. This was on a gray barbed fitting

Jim,

Haven't heard from you in forever!

The white spa hose with the gray fittings seemed tight as #$%^&*. But I actually preferred to use the existing fittings, so I went and got some 1.5 inch hose from a place called EVCO, HOUSE OF HOSE. And it was equally tight on the white fittings. I wish I had never done this project. Even with a hot blow dryer, the hose was a bear to get on. Together with a clamp, it better not leak.

I always love telling my wife that I went to the House of Hose today...hehehe.

Anybody want 5 feet of spa hose that is actually 1 9/16 instead of 1 1/2 ID?

[Guapo]

Tall...sounds like you got hosed...