This install will take a while, I am not the kind of guy that likes to purchase everything all at once and then feel rushed to get everything finished. I like to take my time and do things slowly. So, to keep myself interested for an extended period of time, I like to do projects in steps.
Thursday, I started work on my integrated system. The plan as of now includes 2, 1 inch thru-hulls feeding four pumps. I decided to go with T800 pumps because I am not concerned at all about fill times. We go to the lake to relax, and enjoy swimming around while the bags are filling. So, since speed is not my goal, we are going with slower pumps, which just happen to be cheaper so that is a nice plus.
I like doing electrical work, so I started there. First thing I did was to remove the unused switches in my dash, rewire under the dash to eliminate them, then run new wires for the new switches to the anticipated pump locations. I left plenty of extra wire in case I had to move something. I used the breaker buss bar to supply power and the ground bar to supply ground. I used a 20 AMP in-line fuse to protect everything, and then I daisy chained power and ground to each switch.
This picture was taken when I had run about half of the new wires.
Then I tied everything together and installed the switches.
Then, I wanted to keep working. So, I started looking at the hull. I decided on a spot for the first thru-hull. The best spot is about 28 inches in front of the perfect pass wheel. It is off a little to the side, so I hope I don't have any problems with it messing with my speedometer. I have seen several other people put thru hulls in this location and haven't heard anyone complain about the speedometer being affected. If I had been using a scoop rather than a mushroom I would not have put it here, but since it is a mushroom, I figure the turbulence will not be enough to affect it.
Drilled and chamfered. Pics were taken with my cell phone, so the quality isn't great. I hope my chamfer was done right.
Then, I installed the thru-hull fitting.
This pic is the thru-hull from the inside.
I ran into some problems when installing the ball valve, so I ended up taking the thru-hull back out and then reinstalling. On the second pass, it tightened up good.
I went ahead and installed the 2 pumps to this thru-hull as well.
Then, the day was still young, so I decided I should go ahead and install the thru-hulls for the drains. I am draining on each side of the boat in the rear as well as the front.
Here is the starboard thru-hull. The one towards the back was already there for the bilge.
And the port side.
And here is one of the front drains.
Most of the hard work is done. I plan to bring in more parts in the next few weeks. I will keep this thread updated as I go with more pictures.
I must admit, after fighting with the bottom thru-hull, I am slightly tempted to cut my fill pumps to three and using a wye fitting in the fill line for the front sac to fill on both legs of the bow sac. If I do this using a 1" thru hull, I think would be limiting myself to only being able to fill one bag at a time. I don't see that as a huge drawback because speed is not my goal here. Convenience is my goal. Plus, we surf probably 90% of the time, so I will only have to fill my front bag once, then I will only be switching between port and starboard rear. Which can be accomplished simultaneously.
I will keep you updated as I go.
Comments?
Thursday, I started work on my integrated system. The plan as of now includes 2, 1 inch thru-hulls feeding four pumps. I decided to go with T800 pumps because I am not concerned at all about fill times. We go to the lake to relax, and enjoy swimming around while the bags are filling. So, since speed is not my goal, we are going with slower pumps, which just happen to be cheaper so that is a nice plus.
I like doing electrical work, so I started there. First thing I did was to remove the unused switches in my dash, rewire under the dash to eliminate them, then run new wires for the new switches to the anticipated pump locations. I left plenty of extra wire in case I had to move something. I used the breaker buss bar to supply power and the ground bar to supply ground. I used a 20 AMP in-line fuse to protect everything, and then I daisy chained power and ground to each switch.
This picture was taken when I had run about half of the new wires.
Then I tied everything together and installed the switches.
Then, I wanted to keep working. So, I started looking at the hull. I decided on a spot for the first thru-hull. The best spot is about 28 inches in front of the perfect pass wheel. It is off a little to the side, so I hope I don't have any problems with it messing with my speedometer. I have seen several other people put thru hulls in this location and haven't heard anyone complain about the speedometer being affected. If I had been using a scoop rather than a mushroom I would not have put it here, but since it is a mushroom, I figure the turbulence will not be enough to affect it.
Drilled and chamfered. Pics were taken with my cell phone, so the quality isn't great. I hope my chamfer was done right.
Then, I installed the thru-hull fitting.
This pic is the thru-hull from the inside.
I ran into some problems when installing the ball valve, so I ended up taking the thru-hull back out and then reinstalling. On the second pass, it tightened up good.
I went ahead and installed the 2 pumps to this thru-hull as well.
Then, the day was still young, so I decided I should go ahead and install the thru-hulls for the drains. I am draining on each side of the boat in the rear as well as the front.
Here is the starboard thru-hull. The one towards the back was already there for the bilge.
And the port side.
And here is one of the front drains.
Most of the hard work is done. I plan to bring in more parts in the next few weeks. I will keep this thread updated as I go with more pictures.
I must admit, after fighting with the bottom thru-hull, I am slightly tempted to cut my fill pumps to three and using a wye fitting in the fill line for the front sac to fill on both legs of the bow sac. If I do this using a 1" thru hull, I think would be limiting myself to only being able to fill one bag at a time. I don't see that as a huge drawback because speed is not my goal here. Convenience is my goal. Plus, we surf probably 90% of the time, so I will only have to fill my front bag once, then I will only be switching between port and starboard rear. Which can be accomplished simultaneously.
I will keep you updated as I go.
Comments?
Nice Work
Comment