RZ2 - ballast install with aerator pumps (finally!)

[Timmy!]

Only took me a year but I finally finished up the ballast install in my RZ2. Hopefully this manifold setup works, will water test it this weekend. Thanks to chpthril, SPBFAN and Micah for getting me the parts over the last year!



With hoses/wiring attached


Port Side Empty - made a bracket out of wood, painted and mounted to the battery tray (installed 2 months ago, works great)


Starboard side empty (installed 2 months ago, works ok)


Bottom of the boat


Switches (left room for more if I decide to add a front)

[Timmy!]

Oh yeah, I have 1 of the custom surf sacs that I will be moving from side to side depending on who is surfing or I have a pair of v-drive sacs if I wanted to go the wakeboarding route.

[Fiveflat]

Nice work! Looks good!

[majestic]

Looks great Timmy! I hope to be able to post my completed system soon.

What kind of tool did you use to cut the holes in the dash?

[Timmy!]

Thanks guys!

I used a dremel tool with the cutoff wheel on it. It was kind of a pain in the butt.

BTW - I put electrical tape around all of the hose clamps in the lockers to keep them from cutting into the bags. Not sure what others have used.

[chpthril]

Thanks guys!

Not sure what others have used.

Looks good! Glad that custom sac is working our for you. I prefer to use nylon clamps over stainless steel.

[Timmy!]

Water tested it today, worked great!!!! My wife was very pleased and didn't even realize that I was filling the surf sac until the boat started leaning! I do have a tiny, tiny leak on the hose on the fill pumps though. I might just buy a 3/4" fitting with a 1" barb on it and put that on or double clamp it. Not sure which I want to do yet.

[chpthril]

Water tested it today, worked great!!!! My wife was very pleased and didn't even realize that I was filling the surf sac until the boat started leaning! I do have a tiny, tiny leak on the hose on the fill pumps though. I might just buy a 3/4" fitting with a 1" barb on it and put that on or double clamp it. Not sure which I want to do yet.

Pull the hose off the fill pump's outlet and run a nice bead of 5200 around the top of the threads and slip the hose back on and re-clamp. The adhesive will fill the threads and act as a sealer. That should do the trick.

[chpthril]

What kind of tool did you use to cut the holes in the dash?

I use a Roto-zip. It works great if there is fiberglass behind that dash fascia, bit if it's only the thin plastic BE CAREFUL and dont let it get away from you. I tape off the area with masking tape and then use a template and a Sharpie.

[petrey10]

looks amazing

[Timmy!]

I use a Roto-zip. It works great if there is fiberglass behind that dash fascia, bit if it's only the thin plastic BE CAREFUL and dont let it get away from you. I tape off the area with masking tape and then use a template and a Sharpie.

Your BE CAREFUL statement is exactly why I didn't use the Roto-zip, I seem to have bad luck with that thing and it just does what it wants.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Nice install Timmy! Any wake shots?

[skippabcool]

Timmy!, your work looks professional, great job. Why did you choose to go with the aerator pumps versus a reversible impeller pump? How long does it take to fill your custom sac?

I sent you a PM with some other questions.

[Timmy!]

Sorry, I saw your pm and then I forgot to reply to you. I went with the aerators purely for cost reasons. The ballast puppy install would be a heck of a lot easier.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Aerator systems are just as functional as impeller based systems, and generally speaking, the pumps are much faster, so it's really a win win (in terms of speed and cost).

We're actually seeing a pretty significant increase in the number of aerator systems we design for customers.