Johnson Ultra Ballast Reversible Pump

[Dave K]

http://www.wakemakers.com/johnson-ul...last-pump.html

A couple of Q's if someone can help me out,

1. Obviously the discharge for the water will come out the thru hull intake, or do you have to have some sort of gate values or a switch type of value to pump water out through a thrull hull in the side of the boat ?

2. This is self priming....does this mean it could be mounted anywhere at the back of the boat. Can it go horizontal or vertical, It would seem that this would be way easier to mount on the floor or the side or the rear partition rather than super close to the floor where there is very limited room?

3. It doesn't have to be below water level does it?

4. For simiplicity is this the best option??


Thanks

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Hi Dave-

Here are the answers to your questions, if anything else comes up just let me know.

1. Obviously the discharge for the water will come out the thru hull intake, or do you have to have some sort of gate values or a switch type of value to pump water out through a thrull hull in the side of the boat ?

For the most simplistic setup (which is often the point of using a reversible pump), you would fill and drain through the same common intake in the bilge of the boat. If you want a visual and audible indication of when the bag is done draining the system can be setup to drain above the water line using a completely passive system (no additional switches or electronic valves necessary). For more info on that check out this post on our blog.

2. This is self priming....does this mean it could be mounted anywhere at the back of the boat. Can it go horizontal or vertical, It would seem that this would be way easier to mount on the floor or the side or the rear partition rather than super close to the floor where there is very limited room?

One of the huge advantages of a flexible vane impeller pump like the Johnson is that it can be installed virtually anywhere in the boat and still function correctly. The greater the distance in height between the water and the pump the less efficient the pump will be though, so you want to install it as low as possible in the boat, and always orient it so that the pump head (the bronze portion where the hoses attach) is lower than the motor.

3. It doesn't have to be below water level does it?

Nope, and it is not submersible, so in almost all cases you will want to install it above the waterline, just in case.

4. For simiplicity is this the best option??

The answer to this is a qualified yes. There are lots of variables that contribute to ballast system design, but in almost every case a flexible vane impeller pump like the Johnson or Jabsco will result in a system that is simpler than it would be with aerator pumps.

Hopefully that helps!

[Dave K]

This is awesome information. Thank You.

Can 2 or 3 of these pumps be hooked up to a manifold and work off of 1 water intake or should each have its own intake.

Also does this seem ok to do:

1. thru hull intake - shut off value - short piece of hose - pump - then hose to bags?

2. Does the line need a check value, or does this type of pump prevent water draining out?

Thanks
again for the info.

[Dave K]

[QUOTE=jason@wakemakers.com;499507]Hi Dave-

................. If you want a visual and audible indication of when the bag is done draining the system can be setup to drain above the water line using a completely passive system (no additional switches or electronic valves necessary). For more info on that check out this post on our blog............


This is simiply a 1 way check value....correct?

[Dave K]

[QUOTE=Dave K;499616]

Hi Dave-

................. If you want a visual and audible indication of when the bag is done draining the system can be setup to drain above the water line using a completely passive system (no additional switches or electronic valves necessary). For more info on that check out this post on our blog............


This is simiply a 1 way check value....correct?

Now this looks sweet and easy.

[Dave K]

Johnson Ultra Ballast Reversible Pump
and
Jabsco Wakeboard Ballast Puppy Reversible Pump

besides $60 or so, what is the difference?

The less expensive pump is a higher rated GPH

[jason@wakemakers.com]

This is awesome information. Thank You.Can 2 or 3 of these pumps be hooked up to a manifold and work off of 1 water intake or should each have its own intake.

Our preference would be a dedicated intake for each pump (which is actually a little cheaper than one oversize intake), but as long as it is sized sufficiently, a common intake is acceptable.

Also does this seem ok to do:

1. thru hull intake - shut off value - short piece of hose - pump - then hose to bags?

Yes, that would be perfectly fine, although you'll need to add one more part in there to actually make the connections, so it would look like this:

Intake -> Shut Off Valve -> Thread x Barb Adapter - > Hose -> Pump -> Hose out to bag

Also, because the pump is self-priming the hose between the intake and the pump doesn't necessarily need to be short, but obviously the shorter all of your hoses are the more efficient, and therefore faster, your system will be.

2. Does the line need a check value, or does this type of pump prevent water draining out?

No check valve is necessary if you want the system to drain below the waterline, one of the advantages of flexible vane impeller pumps (like the Jabsco or Johnson), is that they do not allow water to flow through them when turned off.

This is simiply a 1 way check value....correct?

Two one way check valves actually, one on the intake to redirect water out the side of the boat when draining, and one on that drain connection to prevent the pump from pulling air in through the drain fitting on the side of the boat when filling.

Now this looks sweet and easy.

Yep, pretty straight forward.

Johnson Ultra Ballast Reversible Pump
and
Jabsco Wakeboard Ballast Puppy Reversible Pump

besides $60 or so, what is the difference?

The less expensive pump is a higher rated GPH

The Jabsco pump includes a switch that is prewired (we sell the switch separately for $16 and include wiring instructions in the installation manual), and the Jabsco has more brand recognition because they're used in Mastercraft, Nautique, Supra, Moomba and other boats from the factory.

I would have absolutely no issues installing a Johnson pump in my own boat though (and have done so numerous times).

[chpthril]

If my math is correct, to fill a 400Lb sac, there is only a 30 second difference between the two.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

For 400 pounds the difference is closer to a little over a minute. Most people are using larger bags though, so the difference becomes even more pronounced. For a 750 it's over 75 seconds, which is almost a 25% reduction in speed. That's a pretty big difference, especially when the pump is cheaper.

[Dave K]

When Im out on the lake I'm there to enjoy Camaraderie with friends, and just sit back and enjoy the lake and have some fun. IMO I think the speed of the fill is highly overrated

[jason@wakemakers.com]

I'm the same way , not all of our customers are that relaxed though, and for some of them 10 seconds is enough of a difference to spend a lot of money on.

But if the speed increase doesn't cost anything (in fact it saves you money), it's a win-win in my opinion.

[Dave K]

Can the Johnson pumps be mounted vertically....I was thinking of mounting pumps so the brass intake/output is on the bottom and the black motor is above..

[chpthril]

You dont want water above the motor. If the shaft seal leaks, water will enter the motor and shorten its life. If mounting vertical, mount with impeller housing down.

[Dave K]

You dont want water above the motor. If the shaft seal leaks, water will enter the motor and shorten its life. If mounting vertical, mount with impeller housing down.

good point never though of water getting inot the motor because of a leak. It seems this would way would be best then