Replacing stock ballast tanks with Bags 00 Pro Air

[Treybizttu]

Like the title says I have a 2000 Pro Air I picked up cheap for a winter project. The motor and trans are laying in my garage floor currently so I've got a nice empty hull/bildge to work with. We took my stock tanks out as one was cracked I didn't like that I couldn't fit much in the storage locker anyway. While under way and boarding I won't need or want to put a whole ton back there but it would be nice to use that space while the boat is in storage or in transit some where.

Soooo,

Looking for some insight on what to put in as a replacement for the stock tanks?

-Should I re-use all the plumbing and just stick bags in place of the tanks?
- Should I go to individual tanks if we want to give surfing a try? (I know this is never going to be a "surf boat")
- Can I reuse the existing dash buttons for fill and empty?
- These would probably be on the only "permanently" plumbed bag(s). I don't really want and will probably never need a belly or bow tank.. If I did I would probably just get a pump that plugs into the 12v or lead weights.
-I'm also assuming that the stock pumps are still functional. Most of the hoses are shot so I will have to replace all of those.

I've got time and a blank canvas. Help me out

[Miljack]

check out an old post/thread on this same project. Unfortunately, PN has changed host servers so the pics are gone, I'll see if I still have some;

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ro+Air+ballast

[swatguy]

I can't recall if the pumps are aerator style or reversible. If they are cartridge/aerator style you'll want to add an in line check valve on the fill line between the pump and the bag to prevent siphoning back out the fill line. All you have to do is add the bags and the system will still operate the bags the same way it did the tanks.

Easiest way to tell which pumps is if there is two pumps for each tank (fill and empty) then you have aerator style.

[Treybizttu]

I can't recall if the pumps are aerator style or reversible. If they are cartridge/aerator style you'll want to add an in line check valve on the fill line between the pump and the bag to prevent siphoning back out the fill line. All you have to do is add the bags and the system will still operate the bags the same way it did the tanks.

Easiest way to tell which pumps is if there is two pumps for each tank (fill and empty) then you have aerator style.

Stock was a single rear locker tank. It has two pumps inline running along the wall of the bildge but the plumbing that was there made zero sense to me. (I'll take some pictures this weekend when it warms up a little.)

[Franciz]

check out an old post/thread on this same project. Unfortunately, PN has changed host servers so the pics are gone, I'll see if I still have some;

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ro+Air+ballast

pictures would be great. I'm looking at options for my 01 Air.

[Treybizttu]

So I still don't have pictures because I keep forgetting to take them. My bad.

But, I'd like to sumarize where I'm at and get some opinions.

- Factory setup was two separate tanks in the rear trunk. Both Fed By a Push/ Pull consisting of two Aerator pumps in line with one another but facing the opposite directions. There was then a "T" to each tank. Lots of small hoses that led to the valves under the dash.
- All of the hoses where junk and one of the aerator style pumps was as well. All of that has been removed.
- Tanks are out and junked. Both had gotten brittle.
- I have a new factory keypad that has the ballast fill and empty buttons.
- Cleaned out the factory check valves that were attached to the hard tanks. I put them back in the boat with a little hose attached to new rear (x2) stainless thru hulls.
- PIcked up 2x 600LB Sumo Bags in great shape for cheap.
- They also had a 12v Plug in Sumo Pump with them.


So, I won't really want or need a ton of ballast and it will rarely get used as my boat is mostly on kid duty. Myself and a random friend or two will be the only ones that want it. I spend most of my time behind the wheel as it is.

Edit: Might want to try surfing here and there but I know this hull will never be a surf boat.

-Since I have the wiring and Buttons in place do I just go back with the push/ pull? (I really don't want to wire and modify a bunch).
- Should have a valve to select between the two bags for filling?
- Can I just delete the valves by the dash? I have no clue what purpose they served in the first place. I have a router so I can make a nice cover panel for that and the gauges.

[Treybizttu]

What about using the existing wiring/buttons and doing this:

-Fill Pump in Stock Location using stock intake location to fill bags. Uses Stock Fill Button. Use 1" Hose and Fittings.
-Stock Type Aerator Pump in the trunk area using the stock empty button/longer wiring. Use it to empty bags out the stock vent thru hulls.

[swatguy]

I am with trey. If you want to keep it simple just use the switch that is there. Why swap to the keypad? The keypad is designed for reversible pumps and you'll have to add jumpers to get that to function properly with the aerators.