custom ballast idea... how does it sound???

[toyota40runner]

i have a 2001 super air with the two rear tanks... i am think that i want to run a vdrive sac on top of each tank, back seat sac in the ski locker and integrated bow sac... i have seen the custom ballast installs some of you have done and they look great... i want to use just 2 high flow pumps one for fill and one for empty. for the v-drive sacks, can i just plumb the vent from the tanks to the sacks and run the sack to the vent to utilise some of the stock system??? i would think that gravity would force the bags to empty first allwing me to use the gauges to know when everything is empty without have to look in the hatches... since i will be using a single pump to fill i will need valves to turn each bag off/on... i am thinking that the bow and ski locker sac could use the same valve and vent since the bow sac would be above the locker sack... allowing me to use the vent to know when they are full and just a quick peek in the locker when they are empty.... who makes good looking valves that i could manage to fit 3 where the stock 2 are behind the drivers seat???? the main reason i only want to use one pump for the fill and one for empty is becuase i want to utilize the stock fill/drain buttons on the dash... what pumps should i use??? i would like some high flow ones that wont let water through when they are off... this is just an idea in the making and i know that you guys are the best to ask if this is a good idea so please let me knoe what you all think..

[jos]

RE: custom ballast idea... how does it sound???

Hi SAN01
I have a SAN03 and recently plumbed the sack in the ski locker.
I left the rear tanks plumbing as it is.

I use a 2 direction reversible Johnson F4B-11 Ultra balast pump, with a standard 3 position rocker switch its becomes reversible. Its 45 ltr/min and an impeller pump with thermal switch and so bullit proof.

On the sack i have permanent top hose connection, as this pump gives a good vacuum the sack emptys almost 95% and fills 100%.
On the second sack connection i have a small airbleed hose and valve but did not have to use it.

[toyota40runner]

i have sone some searching today and have learned a lot... one of my remaing questions is should if i was to use 2 water puppies teamed together for fill and empty would i be able to use the the would i be able to wire them into my dash to use the stock fill/empy button or would they draw way to much power?? or could i just replace the fuse with a much larger one???

[Sbt3]

Not sure what switch is in your dash but you need to have a DPDT (double pole double throw) switch to reverse the pumps or you can wire it to a relay. I have had mine wired directly to switches for a while but did have one issue when the pump got stuck it didn't blow the fuse till it melted down the switch. Not a huge deal but I may look to rewire it with relays over the winter so the power is a little closer to my pumps. The pumps I am using are the simer but pretty much the same concept.

[noti_dad]

yes you can. Several people do it that way. 100hrs on mine and no problems.