Whoo hoo - got my new ballast bags in today

[Tanner]

So I picked em up finally. Thanks to Doug at Boat & RV world for the hook-up on the sacs, even if I didn't buy a boat from them. ($95 a piece for the tubes and $160 for the bow sac)

Got two fly high tube sacs for under the gunnels (350 a piece) and the V bow sac.

Now I just gotta locate the damn Simer pumps. I was gonna use the Jabsco's but man THEY ARE EXPENSIVE NOW!

This is install is gonna be dragged out, but we'll see how it goes! And I'm tapping off the raw water intake, so it should go pretty quickly once I do get started (I know I know... don't lecture).

[talltigeguy]

I can't resist - Simers seem to have reliability issues. Why use them?

My friends' Simer pumps have broken several times on his brand new Ski Supreme.

[Tanner]

See everyone I know who uses them, have never had a problem.

The only issue w/ them is that they are not ignition protected. I'm not to concerned w/ that honestly.

"Aren't they reversible? Is that the benefit? I am not sure that it would hurt, but I have not heard of anyone pumping water back into the raw water intake."

Yes they are reversible... they are pretty much exactly the same as the Jabsco's just not ignition protected. Actually alot of people T off of the water intake and pump right back into it.

[talltigeguy]

So will you be pumping into the bottom of the bag, so that the pump can then just be put into reverse to pump it out?

If your fill is in the bottom of the bag, then you will have to fight the pressure of the water that is already in there to fill it full. That might slow it down.

[Tanner]

Yep, it will be into the bottom of the bag. I'm not to worried about the speed in all honesty. However this set-up takes about 10-12 mins. max to pump full, as we've installed almost this exact same set-up in my friend's boat (except he is using the Jabsco Ballast Puppies). It usually takes us that long to get out of the no wake zone and get set-up anyways, by the time we pick up whomever is pulling the trailer out of the water and all. I realize it's not the 4-5 mins of a Rival system, but it's totally automated and a very simple install. The automation to me is worth it. I don't like the Aerator set-ups for that very reason. You have to manually turn the ball valve after your done pumping to prevent the water from flowing back out. You could use an electronic solenoid, like what you find in some sprinkler valves, but they get pretty costly. I've put alot of thought into the design, and a month ago, my friend decided to be the guinea pig. We were both very pleased w/ the outcome of such a relatively simple and low cost system.

[lee]

We do not use a ball valve or electronic solenoid on our ballast systems, just a one way check valve.

[NICKYPOO]

Keep us posted Tanner.

[Tanner]

We do not use a ball valve or electronic solenoid on our ballast systems, just a one way check valve.

Well, if you have a pump for the line in, and a pump for the line out, then how are you stopping the water from flowing out of the bag when the pumps aren't on. Or are you using a valve that opens up when suction is applied?

[xpjim1]

Its a one way check valve. It allows water to flow into the bag but not out. They can be spring loaded or a swing type.

[xpjim1]

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...04&postcount=1

The white valves on top of the gas tank

[talltigeguy]

The line out goes up and out the side of the boat just beneath the rubrail, so gravity stops any water from going out that way.

[Tanner]

Hmmm, I always thought the pressure of the water in the bag would cause it to go against gravity and force some to leak out.

[da.bell]

Hmmm, I always thought the pressure of the water in the bag would cause it to go against gravity and force some to leak out.

It depends upon how much water pressure is in the bags and you over fill them.......

Not suggested to over fill bags.....

[Tanner]

It depends upon how much water pressure is in the bags and you over fill them.......

Not suggested to over fill bags.....

That's why you have vent lines... to know when they're full

[jleger98]

In the past, I've used an electronic gate valve - as has my brother-in-law. You get em at an RV store. They come with their own switch and auto-shutoff. (you'll want to use a different switch as this one is not waterproof.)

Anyway, a double throw momentary switch works fine. Hit it for 2 secs to open, turn on pumps. When bags are full, hit the switch the other way for 2 secs and shut off pumps.

Then to drain, fire up your drain pump, and send it out a hole in the side of the boat that is above the waterline and above the top o' the bag.

Aside from the bag and the pumps, the valve was about 85, switches....don't remember and about 10 bux at Home Depot for the tubing and such. All told,I think it was less than 300 for the whole system, bags, pump... everything.

Here is the gate valve:
http://www.phasefourindustries.com/s...p/Drain_Master