Ballast Feedback

[chpthril]

I'm looking for some ballast feedback. I'm in talks with a marine pump manufacture that offers both aerator live-well type and impeller type reversible pumps.

I'd like to get everyones honest Pro's/Con's about what type pumps your system is using. If you've used both, like your boat and a buddy's boat, please let me know what you think.

For those with late model Tiges with factory ballast systems, we are aware of the vapor lock problems that are caused by a combination of manifold orientation and pickup location so please dont post a rant about them not filling. If you have input about the system, working as intended, please post up, I do want your input.

If you did a custom setup, did you piece it together or buy from an aftermarket source?
What bugs did you have to work out?
Would you use the same pump type again? Why/Why not?

Thanks

[xpjim1]

I put together my own system. I had to work out the vapor lock issue which was caused by 2 factors. Placement of checkvalves and the manifold I build with expansion for a 4th fill pump. I made an air relief valve on the manifold to release the trapped air in the 4th pump location and moved the check valves at the same time. It cured the issue but not sure of which change or the combination of both solved the issue.

If I was going to do again I would use the aerator pumps for the rear based on cost and use a reversible pump for the bow bag. I love how the bow bag fills but would like to be able to drain more out of it. I might add a simer pump in the offseson as the drain pump on the bow bag and use the existing tsunami bow drain pump as the 4th fill pump to speed the filling of my custom surf sacs

[G-MONEY]

-I used 3 impeller type reversible pumps.
-Got the system from SPBFAN
-The only bug we had to work out was ptting one way check valves in the vent line to drain the sacs all the way.
-I would 100% use the same pumps again, for the simplicity of the entire system.

[da.bell]

hahaha

Had to do it.. Tige's don't need ballast.. Well, for my lack of tallent, I don't need a ballast.

[eks]

-I used 3 impeller type reversible pumps.
-Got the system from SPBFAN
-The only bug we had to work out was ptting one way check valves in the vent line to drain the sacs all the way.
-I would 100% use the same pumps again, for the simplicity of the entire system.

G-MONEY, Coach and myself all used the system from SPBFAN. I love the system, it works perfect so far.

Here is a couple of links from our install:
eks
Coach

[rushin]

carlos mack

good lord not again,, GO AWAY!!!

[eks]

good lord not again,, GO AWAY!!!

X2!
You are not welcome here!

[dingleberry]

We've got spam, spam, spam, spam, bacon, eggs, and spam....

[chpthril]

good lord not again,, GO AWAY!!!

X2!
You are not welcome here!

hahaha

Got spammed.

We've got spam, spam, spam, spam, bacon, eggs, and spam....

I've already PM'd Matt to take care of it

[rushin]

And back to our regularly scheduled thread.

I don't know how to answer this.

I have the factory ballast with aerator pumps BUT a custom manifold, ok in work. I would use the aerator again because they seem easy to use and adapt to. I think Tigé's intention is good, just needs some fine tuning.

Never used the impeller pumps

[chpthril]

Well, here are some pro's/con's of each pump that come to mine, feel free to copy/past and add to it.

Aerator:
Pro- cheap, fast (1200gph = 20gpm and will fill a 400# sac in under 3 mins), low current draw, long life ignition protected, submersible, easy to find fittings/hose to work with. Need only about 10 more feet of hose then an impeller type system, PVC plumbing is cheap.

Con - need to be below water line or will air lock

Impeller type:
Pro - clean install with one pump to fill and empty, will draw water when mounted above the water line allows the pumps to be mounted about anywhere.

Con - expensive (even the non-IP are $$$, 6 aerators are less then 1 IP reversible of similar flow rate), not submersible, need to mount out of bilge if not using the expensive IP models. short impeller life due to running dry. High current draw,

Some people have commented that a 10gpm impeller pump will fill faster then a 13gpm aerator type, I dont see how as the math tells us other wise I plan on getting an impeller type with a similar flow rate to my T800's and see.

[dogbert]

good lord not again,, GO AWAY!!!

Somebody PM Matt yet? That's what I usually do and he disables their account.

[Dan and Christy]

Aerator:
Pro- cheap, fast (1200gph = 20gpm and will fill a 400# sac in under 3 mins), low current draw, long life ignition protected, submersible, easy to find fittings/hose to work with. Need only about 10 more feet of hose then an impeller type system, PVC plumbing is cheap.

Can you give a quick rundown on what it means to be ignition protected? This term has been mentioned before and I have no clue? Thanks

[chpthril]

Can you give a quick rundown on what it means to be ignition protected? This term has been mentioned before and I have no clue? Thanks

Ignition protected means the electrical portion is insulated so it contains any sparks and is safe to use in the bilge and engine bay of a boat. Any stray spark could ignite the heavy gas fumes that can accumulate and settle in the bilge. Things like starters, alts, bilge pumps, etc are IP. You can get non-IP pumps that will go in the cabin area for things like sinks and heads. If someone is going to use the impeller type pumps and mount them anywhere in the back, such as where the batteries, etc, are stored, or in the engine area, they REALLY should use IP pumps.

[dogbert]

Some people have commented that a 10gpm impeller pump will fill faster then a 13gpm aerator type, I dont see how as the math tells us other wise I plan on getting an impeller type with a similar flow rate to my T800's and see.

Anecdotal evidence shows me that my 1200 GPH Tsunami (aerator) fills my bow sack in less time than my Ballast Puppies (650 GPH impeller). I think the reason is that as the sack gets pressurized, the impeller pump still pushes 650 GPH and the aerator pump drops off dramatically.