Piggyback Bow Integrated Ballast Question

[moto822]

Hi All,
I have a question and I am hoping the community can assist. I have recently added the piggyback system to my bow ballast tank on my 2010 SANTE 230. My setup is like this! I have both the drain/fill and vent tubes plumed in on the starboard side of the boat. All is well on the fill but on the empty I am leaving a lot of water in the Integrated Bow tank. To rectify this issue I have used a check valve which works great other then it puts a lot of negative pressure on the hard tank and I am worried I could collapse it. So I feel as if I have a few options and I am wondering what others are doing to drain their piggyback bow system.
Options:

1. Leave the check valve and risk collapsing the hard tank (which a lot of me wants to do and just remove the darn hard tank but it’s such a challenge to get to)
2. Remove check valve and leave water in the bags
3. Add another pump (not liking this idea)
4. Adding another line to the port side of the bag and drain/fill from both legs of the integrated sac

So, if I am missing anything please add or let me know what works for you. I have removed all my other hard tanks so I only fight this in the bow. I would love to just remove it but it’s a pain from what I hear.

Thoughts?
moto

[xrichard]

I don't think you're missing anything. Do you have the vent from the hard tank running to the fill on the soft bag...and then the vent on the soft tank running to what was the thru hull vent for the hard tank (just below the rub rail)? If so, then you have it plumbed properly,

In terms of your options, I'd definitely skip #1 and go with #2 at a minimum...get rid of the check valve because you run the risk of damaging you hard tank and/or level sensor. (I'm assuming the check valve is in the soft bag vent line.)

#4 sounds like the way to go especially if the remaining water is in one side of the bag (opposite where you fill/drain hose is).

#3 is a lot of work and I wouldn't consider it unless #4 didn't work adequately.

(FWIW, one of my bow tanks started leaking and was replaced under warranty. In hindsight, it's possible this tank broke because my bag prevented adequate ventilation...even though I thought I was careful about it.)



FWIW, I have a similar setup on a 210 but I use an arrow sack. One of my front hard tanks cracked and was replaced under warranty. In hindsight, it could have been caused by vaccuum

[moto822]

Hey,

I agree, I removed the valve yesterday to remove some of the risk. yes, my bag is plumed the way you described, I followed the wakemakers config guide. I added the check valve to see if it would empty correctly but I noticed too much negative pressure. I removed the sac and the tank took a big breath of air. I just don't like how much water sits in the sac when emptying. I spoke with wakemakers and they agreed with my options. Just wanted to see what others are doing with this setup. If water in my sac is going to be there then it is what it is. I may add the drain to the other leg and add a small hose to ensure I don't collapse even after removing the check valve.

[Andy Mohler]

Hi, i am about to install an Arrow Sac on my 210 SANTE and this thread answered some questions. Another: can you get to all the plumbing for the arrow sack through the deck plate panel...or do do you have to remove front seats?
Thanks
Andy