ballast pumps and switches

[hudd210te]

Im getting ready to upgrade my ballast with impellor pumps and 750's, In my 03 210te and was trying to figure out if i can use the factory switches on the dash and which pumps you would go with ballast puppies or johnson ultras? Any info would be great if you can use the original ballast switch a diagrahm would be even better....... thanks

[KPNautique]

I used 2 marine rated relays for each pump (one for empty and one for fill) controlled by the factory switches. It has worked well for me

[NautiqueNoob]

johnson pumps on sale

Hey guys.

Just bought my Johnson Ballast Pump 720GPH... on Wakemakers for $159...they are regular $199.. Free Shipping.. temporary sale. The switches are on sale also from $19 to $15.

[hudd210te]

Thanks guys!
I went the johnsons from wakemakers.com, I think my plan is to use the johnsons to fill the bags and the aerator pumps to empty. Has anyone done it this way? Also gonna use relays on the factory switches to operate the johnsons, 750# bags in place of hard tanks, belly tank is staying and i have two 375# sacs to move around

[Drock]

Let me know how it works out i'm planning the same setup.

Why are you switching to the johnsons for filling? Is it for speed/reliability? Can I use the factory 03 aerator fill pumps to fill 750's in the rear?

D

[WakeSlayer]

I am curious as to why you are not just pulling the aerators, and using the Johnsons to fill and drain.

[hudd210te]

Im mainly switching to get rid of the helm valves.

Thinking of leaving the aeretors to drain because someone will forget to shut them off, Also ill be able to see when they are empty and With the impellors turning one direction only they may seal and last a little longer, its just an idea i had if it dont work i can remove them, they always seem to drain great but filling is terrible...

[Chexi]

If you use aerator pumps to empty, you will still need a ballcock or seacock to manually open and close, otherwise they will be constantly draining. Just go with the Johnsons and forget the aerator pumps. I have 3 Johnsons (only 1 season so far) and they have worked great. They are pretty fast. With 1 pump on 400lb v-drive sac, 3:13 seconds to fill from empty or empty from full. This is on a shared 1" thru-hull with another 400lb v-drive sac and pump. To be clear, I can fill them both at the same time in 3:13 seconds, but each has its own pump.

[hudd210te]

[QUOTE=Chexi;153853]If you use aerator pumps to empty, you will still need a ballcock or seacock to manually open and close, otherwise they will be constantly draining.QUOTE]


really? i dont think ill have a problem with them draining there is no valve on the drain now just the intake. But ive been wrong before......4sure

[WakeSlayer]

I agree with Chexi. Just pull the aerators. The impeller pumps act as check valves, and are super fast. You aren't getting a better seal or saving any wear on the impellers by not using them one direction.

[NautiqueNoob]

Run the johnsons to fill and empty. They are their own check valve. One switch fill/drain.

[WakeSlayer]

Noob,

Good diagram.

Two things:

What is the vent(?) before the pumps for?

You need to have ball valves at the thruhulls to shut off the lines in the event of a problem. Mine are at my pump block, I need to move them back to the intakes. Not sure why I didn't do this in the first place....

I also elected to do separate intakes under my swimdeck and shut off the original single, factory scupper on the bottom.

[NautiqueNoob]

The vent is actually supposed to be the 1" drain. Instead of reversing the pump and having it exit the intake. You put two check valves in, one after the ball valve (which is on the diagram after the intake) and one on the drain line. When the pump is pulling water the drain check closes. When emptying water, the intake check closes. By emptying thru the 1" drain vent you can see when the bags are empty. If you empty thru the intake it's hard to tell when the bags are empty except for sound of pumps.

[NautiqueNoob]

Here is a more elaborate version using 2 tsunami pumps. The manifold assembly I designed from home depot 1" plastic ball valves and connectors. To empty or fill any bag it would take opening or closing the ball valve for that bag. I will be using this design with 1 Johnson reversible pump instead of 2 tsunami. One pump and this manifold will save a few hundred $$$. Sure it will take a little longer to fill but it's cheaper and upgradable later.

[Drock]

Is there any reason you couldn't fill and empty through the factory through-hull? no check valves, and just one vent line for each bag/tank?


D