03 SAN 2010 ballast prime

[gdhall]

I know that several of yall have redone your ballast systems. Last year my buddy put electric valves on the rear bags that opened when the pumps turn on. However, the starboard (I think) side won't prime unless the boat is moving. When you move the pumps and replace them with more GPH pumps do you still have this problem? Most of the pictures I've seen had 3 reversible pumps all mounted side by side far away from the water line so it seems like it would still be an issue. I would like to be able to pump full and start riding immediately but we put in in a no-wake zone and theres really no room to prime the pump until you go 2-300 yards out into the main channel. Also, those of you have have taken the tanks out and put 750s in, do you have a problem with the bags getting about half full then overflowing out the vent? Currently we just place corks in the through holes for the vents when they reach this point but there seems to be a better way than buying corks at home depot every year. (currently have 400lbs piggy backed on top of each tank on each side of the V drive)

[surroundsound64]

I am running the ballast puppy impeller style (reversible) pumps. I don't have any problem at all with a prime. I'm guessing you are running aeroator pumps? If so, those do need priming.

As far as the sacks go, I didn't vent my 750s. I purged them of air then run them until they get good and tight. They will bleed down over time though. I planned on venting them, but never got around to it.

[surroundsound64]

Btw, this is how and where I mounted my pumps

[gdhall]

Man that looks good. Is that other pump for your belly sack? I currently have my belly overflowing into a 650 under the seats up front but it can't get quite as full as on top of the seats. Do you have another pic of how you ran the tubing to each sack? I think I'm going to try to take the vent off my piggy back sacks and see if that helps. I'm afraid that 90% of the over flow is getting pushed through the empty pump which I could put electronic valves on that too but if the ballast puppies solve the problem if be better off replacing my back two pumps. Just trying to make things simpler so we can enjoy surfing some. Right now it's a pain

[surroundsound64]

Yes, I have one pump per bag, the middle pump being for my 375# belly sack. I've debated adding a 650# bag in the nose but haven't really felt like I needed it. If I do it. I will just add a line from the belly bag to the nose. The nose sitting higher should force the belly bag to stay full.

Your 650 is probably just out of room under the seats. We usually have enough people in the boat that I can have someone sit in the nose.

There is nothing special about the way I ran the hoses. If you want something specific I can see if I can get more pics. And with the aerator pumps, you will have to shut a valve or they will drain. The impeller pumps are expensive, but worth it IMO.