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I hate the factory location of the ballast switches on my 2006 LSV. You have to crane your neck down and look right to see where you have them set. Has anyone relocated these? I am thinking of moving them to the flat area just above the armrest. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Al
I too hate the location! For one it's too easy to forget your adding/draining ballast!
very poorly designed. depending on where your seat is they are also very hard to get at. whats the deal with that? how hard would it have bein to put them on the dash or something like every other manufacturer?
I am in the process of relocating the ballast switches to right above the arm rest. I'll post some pics tonight.
Now I've got to figure out what to cover up the big hole with where it was previously located.
Al
Can't wait to see that!
I hate the location of the switches. The 2nd day I owned the boat I somehow triggered the switch on just before leaving to go home. It takes 5mins to fill so I didn't see the overflow.
I got a phone call from the marina saying my bilge pump was constantly on. That made so sense so I knew it was the ballast pump. Grrrrr!
Cab---
I would love to see some pictures of the new loction.
Tazz
I am with you cab..... Thay Suck were there at, Already left the ##%&** things on and forgot!!. Can't wait for the pics...........See-ya
Got her done tonight, and below are the pics. Sorry, I should have taken more pics of the intermediate steps but just forgot.
So here are the before pics:
That's the wiring harness for the switches hanging down on the left.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0983.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0984.jpg
First thing I did was to remove the switch plate and disconnect the wiring harness, then I made a template for the new hole I was going to cut and to test fit the switchplate in the new location. The white piece of cardboard is the template.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0985.jpg
Using the template, I checked to see if there was enough of a flat spot above the armrest to accommodate the switch. There is, but barely. Pic below shows the cutout traced with a permanent Sharpie. No turning back now!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0987.jpg
I cut the hole in the trim panel using a Dremel with a cut off disc but forgot to take a pic. I then traced the hole onto the gelcoat behind it then removed the trim panel and cut the same hole in the gelcoat using a jigsaw and a hacksaw.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0988.jpg
I put the trim panel back on, drilled the four mounting holes, and screwed her down tight. The trim panel where I mounted the switch plate is not perfectly flat but the switch plate flexes just enough that it conformed to the contour of the trim panel and is completely flush with it.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0993.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0994.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0991.jpg
The best part is that there was enough slack in the wire harness that I did not have to cut and splice it to extend it. Good thing as I would have had to cut and splice about 16 wires!
I'm really happy with the way it turned out. No more craning my neck down between my legs to check the status of the switches!!
Now I just need to figure out what to do with the original hole. Maybe I can enlist Aquaholics buddy to make me a billet aluminun plate with the Moomba logo on it, then I can attach a felt lined flip down tray to it like you see in some kitchens. It'd be a good place to put the car keys and my watch and ring when it's my turn to ride.
Al
Here are the before and after pics one after the other.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0983.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_0993.jpg
That looks awesome. It looks like I might have to so the same mod. This past weekend, was the first time I used the ballast. Yes the first time guys. It was a pain in the arse. This mod just might be the ticket. Great mod Cab. It really looks nice. Also, I noticed in your pictures that the hole you cut was much nicer than the hole that SC cut. When I removed the black cover under the driver seat, the cut was all over the place. Nice work.
Tazz
Thanks Tazz. Regarding the hole, SC (and the dealer) could care less about what the hole looks like if it's not visible. It's all economics - they could spend the extra time to make sure the cut outs are all perfect but that would add to the cost of the boat, and I don't think anyone wants to pay extra to have nice cut outs that are covered up anyway. I tried to follow my template as closely as I could but didn't worry about making the cut out perfect since I knew that the switch plate would cover it.
I highly recommend the mod - didn't take long and it may save me burning out a pump one of these days since the switches are now visible.
Al
Nice job!! I have an 05 Mobius lsv and installed my own rear ballast system but used radio shack switches temporarily. I will locate them to underneath the wake gauge there is just enough room for 2 switches. I will leave the factory single ballast bag switch for the ski locker bag. Jim .
Cab13367,
That looks good. Now what you should do with the hole is put in another set of switches to control lights on the tower and in the boat. You could also install a switch that helps your boarder into the cold Oregon water.
Cab I'm pulling this back up from the dead but what did you ever find to cover your empty hole?
The hole is still there, he used a pouch to cover it and make it usefull.Quote:
Originally Posted by New Guy
Im only answering because Al hasnt been on in a quite some time. Hes been doing a lot of traveling and snow skiing
Ok thanks Mike. I bought a carbon fiber plate from McMaster-Carr to cover it for now until I figure something else out.
That's were the stash goes eh?Quote:
Originally Posted by mmandley
I love McMaster-Carr. I swear they got everything. Ordered Stainless "D" ring pins from them for my swim platform. Couldn't find them in town.