2007 20i Ballast Purchase and Install

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Ordered up the ballast for the 20i. I went with a single 800# bag for the back locker and 2 rule 100's for filling and draining (1 each). I already have unused switches on the dash, so I will be using one of them for the ballast. Im contemplating using the tee-handle drain hole int he center of the bilge for my inlet, adding a check valve to my bilge pump, then teeing my drain line into it downstream of the new check valve. I would drain the bilge from the read square plug.

This would constitute a drill-less ballast install.

Fiver says 800# will give me a surf wake in the 20i. He better be right, or Im going to slash his tires in the parking lot and fire a heat-seeking missile at his boat.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

So I got my stuff yesterday and started the install. The pictorial shows my progress:
Clean Floor

Pilot Hole Drilled from top thru floor.

Bottom drill started by running the hole saw backwards thru the gel then bevelling.

Hole as drilled from bottom Up, then completed by drilling top Down.

The modified fitting. I had this from an aquarium project, so I used it. I like that it had double rubber gaskets.

Fitting in place from bottom.

Tightening the fitting from the top.

Adding the brass nipple and full port valve...

Pump installed...

The hose is routed under the floor and fuel tank, thru the floor of the locker using the hole for the engine vent...

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Got my dump pump installed in the locker at lunch today... Now all I need to do is wire these two pumps to my extra DPDT switch on my dash. It's for tower flood lights, but I dont have any so it's for ballast pumps now. As long as i never need to run both at once, IM GOLDEN!
Woot.. easy install to be sure.

[chpthril]

I feel your pump will vapor-lock without the port angled up.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I feel your pump will vapor-lock without the port angled up.

Thanks Mike. I will give it a shot like this, and if it gets air, I will tilt it up a little. Easy fix. Great catch.
Thanks, oh Master of the Ballast and all things Audio.

tongue in cheek and with all respect.....

[Jwolfe]

Well have you tried your new ballast system? looks like a pretty sweet set up. let me know how it goes I may have to add one as well.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I did indeed. Last weekend, my kid was wailing on the wakeboard wake. The problem with it is that there is too much rear weight, and the boat wants to porpoise at 22. SO.. now I have the 800 in the rear locker still and a 450 I cna move around. For wakeboarding, it will go in the bow. For surfing, next to the engine. I am adding a tee with a garden hose connection to give me portable filling on the moveable bag.For draining, I just dump it in the bilge and turn on the bilge pump. It keeps up nicely. So, Im working the kinks out.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Hey wolfe, I did have to flip the pump over to get the outlet on the top, like Mike said. Otherwise the pump traps air in the valute and vapor locks.
Works good now.

[XXV at last]

I'm looking at doing a similar system in my 20V. Does ANYONE have advise on drilling holes in the hull? I would hate to void the Tige Hull Warranty...

[Ewok]

I'm looking at doing a similar system in my 20V. Does ANYONE have advise on drilling holes in the hull? I would hate to void the Tige Hull Warranty...

Check out this thread, great instructions on everything.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15959