Using the wake model ballast pump for additional bilge pump?

[Troy JK]

Since I won’t be using the ballast system, why not use the pumps as bilge pump? Hopefully I won’t ever need to remove that much water that fast but they’re there. Never used the system at all but the Pumps must be reversible to also drain the bladders. With only two wires im guessing that to Pump out the polarity is reversed.

anyone try this?

 

[biffdotorg]

You could easily do that, but there will be very few times if ever that you would ever need to drain that much water. And probably never enough in the hull to actually prime that style pump.

Good luck though

 

[anmut]

Since I won’t be using the ballast system, why not use the pumps as bilge pump? Hopefully I won’t ever need to remove that much water that fast but they’re there. Never used the system at all but the Pumps must be reversible to also drain the bladders. With only two wires im guessing that to Pump out the polarity is reversed.

anyone try this?

Why wouldn't you use the ballast tanks??

 

[Troy JK]

Why wouldn't you use the ballast tanks??

The most we will do is pull knee boards, tubes or skis, and ballast isn’t really needed for that. We bought the wake because wifey loved the color, graphics, sound system and wouldn’t consider anything else.

 

[Troy JK]

You could easily do that, but there will be very few times if ever that you would ever need to drain that much water. And probably never enough in the hull to actually prime that style pump.

Good luck though

priming could be an issue. Might try lowering a pump to try it. Might also have to move the discharge to make sure water cannot flow in.
thanks.

 

[anmut]

The most we will do is pull knee boards, tubes or skis, and ballast isn’t really needed for that. We bought the wake because wifey loved the color, graphics, sound system and wouldn’t consider anything else.

Oh - do yourself a favor and buy a surf board and a wakebooster and try wakesurfing. You'll never haul anything else with you again.

 

[buckbuck]

Yep-what @anmut said.

 

[Dave burke]

Agree with @anmut. Plus the ballast tanks are all sealed so you’d have to open them up somehow. And if your boat is like mine, only the front tank is easily accessible. The rears are behind a panel which may or may not be easy to access.

If you’re worried, add a second bilge. But unless you’re wet slipping, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need it. I added a second bilge to my boat because it almost swamped on me because the battery failed.

 

[Julian]

I added a second bilge to my boat because it almost swamped on me because the battery failed.

Based on this.....you should have added a 2nd battery, not a 2nd pump

To the OP....I'd leave the ballast system alone and be sure you test your bilge pump as an annual maintenance item.

 

[Cambo]

It could easily be done with a few fittings the hoses use quick disconnects remove the stock hose set it to the side so it can be reattached for resale get a new fitting and hose it can easily suck the water out .

then use this to control the pump operation I can change it to be hard wired with a switch

https://jetboaters.net/threads/ballast-pump-jumper-cable.19754/

Every boater should have one of these runs on a 9v battery zip tie it in hang the senor up about 3'' when it rings its time to open the engine hatch to see what going on , They are loud enough to hear with the engine running

https://www.amazon.com/Instapark-Leakage-Detection-Sensor-Battery/dp/B01IWTCLHA/ref=sr_1_13?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Water+Detectors+%26+Alarms&qid=1615849528&s=hi&sr=1-13&ts_id=7491105011

 

[Troy JK]

It could easily be done with a few fittings the hoses use quick disconnects remove the stock hose set it to the side so it can be reattached for resale get a new fitting and hose it can easily suck the water out .

then use this to control the pump operation I can change it to be hard wired with a switch

https://jetboaters.net/threads/ballast-pump-jumper-cable.19754/

Every boater should have one of these runs on a 9v battery zip tie it in hang the senor up about 3'' when it rings its time to open the engine hatch to see what going on , They are loud enough to hear with the engine running

https://www.amazon.com/Instapark-Leakage-Detection-Sensor-Battery/dp/B01IWTCLHA/ref=sr_1_13?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Water+Detectors+%26+Alarms&qid=1615849528&s=hi&sr=1-13&ts_id=7491105011

Cool, so where do I get that connector?

 

[Dave burke]

Based on this.....you should have added a 2nd battery, not a 2nd pump

To the OP....I'd leave the ballast system alone and be sure you test your bilge pump as an annual maintenance item.

lol, good one. Longer story but I was away for a few days and turned the start battery switch off. Got a lot of rain and I did a half ass job of securing the cover. And because the stock bilge doesn’t have an auto switch it kept cycling off and on and eventually killed the battery. No damage done but there was a lot of water and I was worried until I got the engines going.

so after that I decided to follow @swatski’s second bilge install. And secure the cover properly!

 

[Troy JK]

Based on this.....you should have added a 2nd battery, not a 2nd pump

To the OP....I'd leave the ballast system alone and be sure you test your bilge pump as an annual maintenance item.

so far I’ve removed the starboard side bag so I could install a freshwater shower and removed the ski locker bag so it isn’t damaged. Also removed the containment walls in the port side compartment for more storage. the bags are stored in the house and I won’t do anything that can’t be reversed.

 

[tdonoughue]

Yes, you may want to reverse that especially if you go to sell it... so good idea to keep them parts.

I would not mess with trying to repurpose the pumps, frankly. A fun idea perhaps, but not very practical. Real bilge pumps are too cheap and too easy to install.

If you do try to use the bag pumps... don't reverse the polarity.

 

[Julian]

Yes, you may want to reverse that especially if you go to sell it... so good idea to keep them parts.

I would not mess with trying to repurpose the pumps, frankly. A fun idea perhaps, but not very practical. Real bilge pumps are too cheap and too easy to install.

If you do try to use the bag pumps... don't reverse the polarity.

Not that im recommending it but - No need to reverse polarity....the pumps already pump in and out now (fill and empty).

 

[Cambo]

My son makes them I sent you a DM with payment details

 

[biffdotorg]

Honestly, the chance of getting that much water into the hull to prime the pump, and the chance of your existing pump failing at the same time are so small, that this seems like time and money wasted.

And as said above, the cost of a second bilge pump is so cheap, that would be the most cost effective option rather than trying to retrofit a ballast pump, just to utilize existing equipment.

Good luck either way.

 

[Cambo]

Honestly, the chance of getting that much water into the hull to prime the pump, and the chance of your existing pump failing at the same time are so small, that this seems like time and money wasted.

And as said above, the cost of a second bilge pump is so cheap, that would be the most cost effective option rather than trying to retrofit a ballast pump, just to utilize existing equipment.

Good luck either way.

No luck needed the pumps don't need to be primed as far as water ending up in the engine compartment its happened to me my friend and multiple members on the site . Yamaha still uses the same plastic scupper #1 cause go to a raft up party get 6 to 8 people standing on your swim deck water makes it in somehow , water lines can pop loose. My bilge pump failed and left me scooping water out they are a pain to test and you will find out at the worst time.

I flush salt water out of my system for the winter it pulls and pushes the water effortlessly through a large diameter hose sucking water out of the bilge is a non issue