Dual filling ballast bag

[DaveM]

I've updated the left ballast bag on my 2013 LSV to 1,000#. It takes around 10.5 minutes to fill and empty. No one in my family surfs goofy, so I was thinking about rerouting the right pump to fill the left bag. The larger bag has 2 connections on top. Are there any potential issues having my two pumps filling the 1,000# bag simultaneously? It would cut the fill time in half. Where can I get the hose and clamps to do this since I'll have to extend the length. Could install a "T" connection to fill both sides.

[brain_rinse]

Interesting idea. I'd also want a larger vent if it were my boat. With reversibles you'd want both fill/drain ports to be on the bottom of the bag, and I wouldn't use a T connection or you'll be losing a lot/all of the fill potential. Good luck and post pics!

[moombadaze]

no reason you could not do something like that

[EchoSkis]

For the Echo Skis budget build we contaplating double filling the rear bag. So long as you have enough ports on your bag it should work. I can't see any reason it won't, let us know how it works if you do it.

[MJHSupra]

Interesting idea. I'd also want a larger vent if it were my boat. With reversibles you'd want both fill/drain ports to be on the bottom of the bag, and I wouldn't use a T connection or you'll be losing a lot/all of the fill potential. Good luck and post pics!

I agree.

You can find the fittings around the net depending on the sizes of the hose/ballast connectors and fittings.
When I upgraded my Supra, I used WakeMakers: http://www.wakemakers.com/
Easy to use and deal with.

You may be able to fill with 2 pumps (bottom and top fittings), but you will only be able to drain from the bottom connection.
Unless your bag has 2 fittings on the bottom.
I assume your bag currently fills and drains from the bottom fitting and one of the top fittings is the vent.

On my 2007 Supra, I have 3 Johnson Pumps. Two are on the back bags (750#) - right and left.
I have the other pump that is connected to the Center Bag and Bow Bag for wake boarding.
I have a Y-Valve that controls what bag it fills or drains. Works well.
Pump > Y-Valve > Hoses to each Bag
I made sure all of my bags are vented.
http://www.wakemakers.com/bosworth-y-valve.html

Overall, 10.5 mins is not bad . . . drink a beer.
I'm usually connecting the surf ropes or getting the vests ready to use.
So as I'm moving around the boat, once I see the water coming out of the vent on the side of the boat, I'm good to go.
If you can connect 2 pumps to one bag, 5 mins to fill/drain, let the group know how it works

M-

[5:00]

Wasn't Wakemakers or someone making a cross fill where you could pump from one bag to another? The idea was to pump across rather than up to make it faster? I think they were putting two fittings on the bottom which could come in handy for this. Not sure if that ever made it.

[wolfeman131]

yes, wakemakers calls it the "X-link" system

http://www.wakemakers.com/x-link-cross-fill-ballast-package.html

[MJHSupra]

yes, wakemakers calls it the "X-link" system

http://www.wakemakers.com/x-link-cross-fill-ballast-package.html

I recall reading that was the pump between the 2 back bags.
1" line connected thru the pump.
Something like 5 mins to switch the water in the bags.

Still would need to have bags with 2 fittings on the bottom
Not sure why all bags would not have extra fittings on the top and bottom.

M-

[moombahighrider]

Actually, you don't need two fittings on the bottom of the bags. I have the x-link. What I did was put a 1" t fitting in line between the pump and port on each bag. Then plumb the x-link lines to those t fittings. Works great and I didn't need to buy new bags.

[5:00]

Actually, you don't need two fittings on the bottom of the bags. I have the x-link. What I did was put a 1" t fitting in line between the pump and port on each bag. Then plumb the x-link lines to those t fittings. Works great and I didn't need to buy new bags.

Well that makes sense. What is your transfer time on those bags?

[moombahighrider]

Well that makes sense. What is your transfer time on those bags?

I have no idea. Hardly ever do the transfer. If I do it, I will try to remember to time it.

[5:00]

Post it if you get the chance. We have to switch all of the time. At first it was just me riding goofy but now the kids are in on the action and it is 50/50 for our family. With one kid in college now it is now goofy dominant.

[wolfeman131]

I think ragboy (aka Robert Garcia) has some times posted on wake9.com from when they first installed this system. I think I remember his switch over time was sub-3 min.

[sandm]

you are correct, but he had a whole lot more than the xlink system going on. tige doesn't use reversible pumps. 1 fill 1 drain. iirc, he has added an extra fill/drain and the xlink.