The 750# bags will completely fill your rear lockers and some! This is good because the bags will form to the rear lockers and utilize all the space resulting in maximum ballast, if needed of course :rolleyes:. On a side note, be sure to check your rear lockers for any sharp screws and edges that could potentially puncture the bags. I didn't find any in mine, but I believe others have.
You can mount the pumps to the top of the wall in the rear lockers. Do you mean similar to the one I had mounted?
https://forum.moomba.com/picture.php...pictureid=2098
I removed this pump because the 750# bag pushed up against it. It may have been okay there, but I didn't like how hard the bag pushed against the pump. Plus the pumps can get a little warm, too much potential for a melted bag for me.
Simer pumps are great pumps, both inexpensive and "solid" units. Their downfall is exactly what you already know, they are not ignition protected. Which is one reason they are cheaper. You will also have to get the fittings to go from garden hose threads to a 1 in. hose barb. This adds about $10 per pump, so figure a total cost of $90 per pump. As an FYI, the Simer pumps will function fine running off of one intake. You will not have problems with the pumps filling other bags or pulling water from each other. I ran through multiple tests with my system, this is not an issue with these pumps. If you go with Simers, a one intake manifold is an option. I can't speak for Johnson or Jabsco in this manner. I have hear that Jabsco impellers are softer, which could pose problematic on a one intake system
In addition, the Simers have a stiff impeller that does not allow water to pass by unless the pump is on. The impellers are strong, some members on Wakeworld are on their 5th season with the Simers, putting on more than 100 hrs of boat time each year, and the impellers still don't need replacing. Simers were designed as evac pumps to pump dirty water from flooded basements and such. The impellers can take a beating. That said, the Simers still come with a spare impeller, don't base pump placement off the need to replace impellers. Getting the water pump impeller out of our boats is more work than replacing any ballast pump impeller.
Where to mount Simers:
Good question???????? Under the seats like I did works, but remember what I said about filling and emptying the bags from the bow end. You would have to run more ballast line to solve that issue. Or, you could build a pump wall on the stern end of either locker like Ed's pic below.
https://forum.moomba.com/picture.php...pictureid=1774
I believe a cover wall goes over the pumps, but I'm not sure? However, this would take up a fair amount of space in the locker, hogging valuable ballast space. If that is not a problem for you, this could work. Not sure how viable an option this is, because the 750# bags are the full length of our lockers. The pre '09 OBV hull doesn't have much space to give.
I personally think that the best place to mount reversible pumps is on the engine side of the divider wall or just below that adjacent to the engine. I think it is in your best interest to use an ignition protected pump if you choose this location. Others have mounted Simers in the bilge/engine area, and I have not heard of any incidents. Their argument is that fuel injected boats don't have as much gas vapor as carb. engines and ignition protection is not as imperative. I am not a mechanic, but I am not about to jump out of an airplane without a backup parachute, if you get what I mean. Others have done it, I was not willing to take the chance.
So between Simers at $90 ea. or Johnsons at $144 ea. (MOOMBAOWNERS discount), I'd go with the Johnsons. Extra $200 in relation to the total ballast project expense is worth it. Plus the Johnsons should be a little faster at 720 gph (Simers are 600 gph). I am going to be changing my system to all Johnson pumps. If you still want to go with the Simers, I'll sell you all four of mine for $200. Two pumps have one season of use, one has one afternoon of use, and the other one I haven't used. Again, consider the Johnson pumps.
Well......there's my short story for the day. Enjoy,
Chad
2007 Outback V