wotan2525
07-12-2012, 02:36 PM
My ballast system right now is all very old school. Pumps are hardwired on switches that are found under the rear bench seat, but they still have to be tossed overboard and there are always cords, hoses and bags going in every direction. Plus -- it's impossible to fill up while moving.
I bought about 75% of the parts that I needed to do an install a couple of years ago. About the time that I got really into surfing and then realized that I would never be able to engineer a "turn-key" surfing setup. All the time/expense required for me to install 1 bag in the front and 1 in the rear that wouldn't be that helpful for surfing was not able to be justified.
Recently, I've been slowly planning out a couple of ballast "panels." I thought I would lay it out here and then ask for the boards input and ideas.
The main plan is to recess some quick-disconnect ports in some fiberglass panels set either into the rear bench seat base or into the side (probably below my rear speaker.)
An idea for the recessed panel -- this company SSI makes panels like this in many different sizes:
http://i.imgur.com/bC0ft.jpg
Within that panel would be some quick disconnects. The largest I have been able to find are 3/4" and they are designed with internal valves and panel mounts.
http://i.imgur.com/8ydZl.jpg
And then add some nice flush-mount waterproof switches. (Each panel would have 1 "fill" port and 1 "drain" port.)
http://i.imgur.com/xJhGt.jpg
Behind the scenes, the "fill" ports would be fed by a through-hull scupper. The "drain" ports would empty out some thru-hull bilge ports. Each "panel" would be filled by 1 Tsunami 1200 and emptied by 1 Tsunuami 1200. These are cheaper and faster than the reversible ballast-puppy type pumps. Since the hoses would be disconnected once the bags are full anyway, who really cares if they are not reversible. Each bag would still only need 1 line to do dual duty as fill and drain.
Is this making sense or have I just confused everyone? :)
I bought about 75% of the parts that I needed to do an install a couple of years ago. About the time that I got really into surfing and then realized that I would never be able to engineer a "turn-key" surfing setup. All the time/expense required for me to install 1 bag in the front and 1 in the rear that wouldn't be that helpful for surfing was not able to be justified.
Recently, I've been slowly planning out a couple of ballast "panels." I thought I would lay it out here and then ask for the boards input and ideas.
The main plan is to recess some quick-disconnect ports in some fiberglass panels set either into the rear bench seat base or into the side (probably below my rear speaker.)
An idea for the recessed panel -- this company SSI makes panels like this in many different sizes:
http://i.imgur.com/bC0ft.jpg
Within that panel would be some quick disconnects. The largest I have been able to find are 3/4" and they are designed with internal valves and panel mounts.
http://i.imgur.com/8ydZl.jpg
And then add some nice flush-mount waterproof switches. (Each panel would have 1 "fill" port and 1 "drain" port.)
http://i.imgur.com/xJhGt.jpg
Behind the scenes, the "fill" ports would be fed by a through-hull scupper. The "drain" ports would empty out some thru-hull bilge ports. Each "panel" would be filled by 1 Tsunami 1200 and emptied by 1 Tsunuami 1200. These are cheaper and faster than the reversible ballast-puppy type pumps. Since the hoses would be disconnected once the bags are full anyway, who really cares if they are not reversible. Each bag would still only need 1 line to do dual duty as fill and drain.
Is this making sense or have I just confused everyone? :)