Questions about automated ballast system

[wviveen]

This winter I want to automate my ballast system in my Supersport, I have read already a lot of topics about this but I still have some more questions.
For the moment I only want to automate the 2 locker sacks in the back and maybe later on also automate the locker sack (is now filled with lead).

Basically I want to copy the system that Wake_Fun has made in his Supersport.
See this thread: http://www.planetnautique.com/index....sc&start=0

I will use a 1.5" thru hull fitting to feed 2 jabsco reversable ballast pumps which will be placed under the back seat.

I would like to make the system as much 'factory like' as possible, so when the sacks are full I want them spill out of the sides (the same for emptying
the sacks). But I am having some problems with the plumbing of the lines for this. Another reason I want them to empty out of the sides is because I think it
will be much faster than emptying via the trhu hull fiiting.

I have made a picture of how I think it should work, but I can imagine some problems already.
When the pumps are off is it possible for water to run through the pumps ?

Does anybody have some comments about my system ? Will it work or not ?

[Laptom]

If you place the pumps above the waterline the Jabsco wouldn't let any water passing through.
I'm not sure why your setup isn't symmetrical. I would immagine that you also want to empy your left tank through a thru-hull. And you need a valve at your thru-hull. In this way when your right Jabsco want to fill it sucks air from the right thru-hull instead of water. You cannot replace the valve at the vent line because you need 2 seperate valves for your empty line and one for your vent line.

Something like this?!

[sperbet]

you won't be able to empty out the sides without another pump. don't worry about speed. My setup is almost identical to wake_fun's and it empties out the bottom as fast as it would out the sides. The side vents are mainly so that you know when you are full and a safety precaution so that you can't burst your bags.

[wviveen]

The system will be symmetrical, but i was a little worried about all the checkvalves restricting the flow.
What kind of pump would I need for emptying out of the sides ..?

[sperbet]

it's a waist of money to have another pump to pump out the sides IMO. When I originally planned out my ballast system I also thought it would be sweet to drain out the sides like the new SANs, but there really is no reason. Keep it simple, one pump on each bag, fill and drain through the thru-hull.

The only systems I have seen that would be best for draining out the sides uses aerator pumps on each end of the bag. I thought about this type of system, but I hate those pumps. It was easier to just go with the self priming reversibles. If you are set on using jabscos then the side draining is not the best option. If you want to consider other options try doing a few searches on WW and wb.com. There are some threads on using aerator pumps in ballast systems. The one major advantage to those is speed.

[wviveen]

I also don't like the aerator pumps and would rather go with the jabsco pumps. Maybe I should leave the idea of pumping out of the side's. How long does it take you to drain your sacks/tanks..?

[sperbet]

I've never actually timed it, but I would say that I can drain both bags(525 lbs each) in about 5-7 minutes.

[wake_fun]

To empty out the side using the same pump you need a tee and two valves before the inlet to the pump. To fill the bag, close the drain line valve, open main line valve. To drain close the main line valve and open the drain line valve. If you want to have only one valve change the main line valve with a check valve so that way when you reverse your pump the water has to go through the tee and out your drain line (it still requires you to manually have that valve though).

With my system I don't mess with anything. I fill and empty through the bottom of the boat, DONE................

[wviveen]

Wakefun: could you make a short drawing of your setup ? Because reading your comments I think I will switch to emptying through the bottom of the boat. Your system looks to be the best way..

[wake_fun]

I'm at work, so here is a quick two minute sketch!!!!!!!! It's ugly but it'll work :grin:

[wviveen]

So this would be the most effective setup for an automated system.
The valve between the inlet and manifold is actually just for safety right ?
And the checkvalves in the vent lines are only to make sure water is going out and not in, correct ?

I have not hooked up the center bag because initially I only want to automate the 2 locker sacks in the back.

[Laptom]

I think this is the most cleanest design. It's simple, it's cost effective and it's durable... Make sure you're manifold is already setup for a 3 bag system. In that way you only have to hook up another pump and you're ready.
I've a SAN2000 and their ballast system is also setup for draining out of the bottom thru-hull. Even at 30mph the system will drain within 5 minutes.

[wviveen]

Laptom, I will make sure the system is setup for the 3 bag system. At the moment I don`t have a third bag
to fill and i have filled the locker with lead.
Do you know a place where to get these jabsco pumps at a nice price ? I have found a place but these pumps are quite expensive in the Netherlands. And because of the weight of these pumps it won't be very cheap importing them from the US.

[wviveen]

The only disadvantage of this system would be that you will have to check if the bags are empty ? Because this is not something you can see without opening the engine compartement.

[Laptom]

Ha Willem-Jan,

I looked on the internet for some webstores, but haven't found these... Sorry, I can't help you with this. I know the new Jabsco pumps from the '06 Nautiques have a empty (running dry) savety on it. Perhaps contacting CC for details of those pumps?!

Tommy