Rival Ballast gate valve??

[dogbert]

SB, not like you to be in a bad mood. Hope things are OK.

There is a little silver screw on the valve. I broke the screw trying to get mine to shut.

The best solution is to get rid of it, or plan on replacing it every time it breaks. Mine broke in the open position, so I kept getting ballast even when I was just cruising or tubing.

My next system will be the same, but I will use a mushroom instead of a scoop and then I will just have a manual turn off just in case of a failure. That is what I did when mine broke and it works terrific. Getting the scoop out was a beeatc....I mean bear. I caused some gel coat damage in the process, which you will most likely do also.

Still think your system is better than ballast puppies? Mine don't leak and we've got over 50+ hours on our boat since Memorial Day. We almost always ride with some form of ballast.

I know you already have money invested in your system, but these ballast puppies are the nuts. I'm not sure how they would hold up to the weight of an Enzo sack, but I may have to try connecting an extra sack under my ski locker.

[xpjim1]

I do not think mine is better or worse than the ballast puppies. Now that I have the vapor lock issue fixed, I love the Tsunamis but I would have been happy with anything that automated the filling and draining. Heck I might even add a ballast puppy to drain the bow sac as that one always seems to have water left in it.

[talltigeguy]

Still think your system is better than ballast puppies? Mine don't leak and we've got over 50+ hours on our boat since Memorial Day. We almost always ride with some form of ballast.

I know you already have money invested in your system, but these ballast puppies are the nuts. I'm not sure how they would hold up to the weight of an Enzo sack, but I may have to try connecting an extra sack under my ski locker.

Better may not quite be the right word. I think they might be more reliable. I hope that they have their issues figured out so that they are not as bad as they have been in previous years. When you have nearly 3 years on yours, then I will be impressed.

It is funny, but I have this infatuation with being able to watch the ballast empty over the side of the boat, I couldn't get that with the ballast puppy. It is nice to know it has emptied just by the fact I do not see it peeing anymore. Do yours have an automatic shut off when things run dry?

The install is for sure a little simpler with the ballast puppies, so there is a trade off.

On my next boat, I am still leaning towards an aerator type system.

[da.bell]

You can install check valves with the ballast puppies and then you can pee all you want.

[talltigeguy]

You can install check valves with the ballast puppies and then you can pee all you want.

I did not think of that. It might make the plumbing a little goofy, but I would really like that. It must be an inherent infatuation with bodily functions...

Jim -

If you put a ballast puppy up front, would the ballast puppy suck air from the overflow? Would it then not suck the bag dry if it starts to suck air from there? Another check valve would solve that I suppose...If it occurs.

[Lucky 275]

I like to empty it when the kids are swimming around the side of the boat

[dogbert]

Better may not quite be the right word. I think they might be more reliable. I hope that they have their issues figured out so that they are not as bad as they have been in previous years. When you have nearly 3 years on yours, then I will be impressed.

It is funny, but I have this infatuation with being able to watch the ballast empty over the side of the boat, I couldn't get that with the ballast puppy. It is nice to know it has emptied just by the fact I do not see it peeing anymore. Do yours have an automatic shut off when things run dry?

The install is for sure a little simpler with the ballast puppies, so there is a trade off.

On my next boat, I am still leaning towards an aerator type system.

Well, they work much like your boat impeller, except the housing is brass. I expect to have to replace my impellers every 2 years or so because the impeller is rubber. It's a 2 minute job for each and not that expensive.

As for the peeing part, you're on your own there. I'm not impressed However, several folks have documented how you could get them to empty over the side using check valves.

The Ballast Puppies have a unique (and possibly patented) run-dry sensor on them that will automatically shut them off when they run dry for too long. You can usually hear them whining long before that, but in case the stereo's blasting, it's nice to know I won't burn them out.

Here's the link for the Ballast Puppy. Anyways, they might be worth another look.

[Coach]

Better may not quite be the right word. I think they might be more reliable. I hope that they have their issues figured out so that they are not as bad as they have been in previous years. When you have nearly 3 years on yours, then I will be impressed.

It is funny, but I have this infatuation with being able to watch the ballast empty over the side of the boat, I couldn't get that with the ballast puppy. It is nice to know it has emptied just by the fact I do not see it peeing anymore. Do yours have an automatic shut off when things run dry?

The install is for sure a little simpler with the ballast puppies, so there is a trade off.

On my next boat, I am still leaning towards an aerator type system.

Master craft uses the ballast puppys and use to make them empty from the vent. you only have to run a T and check valve before the pump (between the intake and pump) and run the T into your vent line and you will be shooting water in no time. It is more complex and has more possibility for leaks. Now Master craft will pump and empty from the bottom of the boat. They have sensors with gauges but they don't work very well.

I have gone around and around with where to empty and I am going to start with the simple system and if I don't like it I can order some check valves and T's and make it run out the top.

There is a Blue impeller that many of the Master Craft people are using now (they use to use a yellow one) that last longer and can run dry without any problem. Globe Rubber makes the "blue" impeller for the Jabsco.

[xpjim1]

:

Jim -

If you put a ballast puppy up front, would the ballast puppy suck air from the overflow? Would it then not suck the bag dry if it starts to suck air from there? Another check valve would solve that I suppose...If it occurs.

I have the check valve on the vent line already. Only issue I see if I use it for draining only I might also suck in water from the fill line.

Just really need to think about it. I might try another tsunami drain pump on the port side first

[Lucky 275]

what happened to that WW link? I went to check on the craziness and says page not found. This dude is getting alot of "do-overs"

[da.bell]

what happened to that WW link? I went to check on the craziness and says page not found. This dude is getting alot of "do-overs"

David removed it.. Probably for the better.

[Lucky 275]

I just threw my popcorn in the garbage... but I'm still drinking the beer.

[da.bell]

I just threw my popcorn in the garbage... but I'm still drinking the beer.

LOL

But if Sam returns, this one is going to be good.

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/m...tml?1215728378