View Full Version : Simer reversible pumps
bfrye
03-07-2005, 12:54 PM
Anyone use these for ballast? IT says they are reversible but to only run them in one direction...!? If anyone has used them, I would like to hear now well they work... if at all.
Brandon
I have been running three Simer pumps for 1 1/2 seasons, no problems. Wired just like Jabsco's, they are reversible. Three sacks, three pumps, in and out one mushroom fitting on the bottom. ~1,500 lbs fill or empty in 5 to 8 minutes. :dance:
bfrye
03-07-2005, 04:34 PM
You the man Dan. Thanks for the info. You saved me again :) Did you put the water intake in yourself? Where did you put it?
SteveO
03-07-2005, 04:44 PM
I have been running three Simer pumps for 1 1/2 seasons, no problems. Wired just like Jabsco's, they are reversible. Three sacks, three pumps, in and out one mushroom fitting on the bottom. ~1,500 lbs fill or empty in 5 to 8 minutes. :dance:
Dan,
Do you have any pics of the sacs, pump and switch? Any installation advice would be great.
I went to the dealer and measured where they put the input on the X-9. It is on the driver's side, just aft of the engine before the shaft's stuffing box. It is a tight fit, depending on how you want to plumb it. I do not know how the X-9 does it (you need to pull up the floorboard behind the engine to see it) but I put in a mushoom fitting, brass gate valve, T to split for fore and aft. The driveshaft is in the way, so you have to think about your assembly process, you can't just start gluein' and screwin'.
SteveO, no picts. For switches I went to the dealer and bought the X-9 switches with the appropriate cover plates.
I put a custom rectangular sack in the front ski locker. The pump for it is under the driver's side bow seat. I have the factory X-9 rear seat sack. The pump for it is behind the driver's side rear speaker. I have a standard 20"x50" Fat Sac in the rear ski locker. The pump for it is right next to it. All sacks are vented through one way valves out the side of the boat.
#1 installation tip - Read the instructions on the pump for wire gauge size. Then go one size larger. These things suck a lot of current and I read about people having problems with them getting stuck (the Jabscos can have the same problem). It is almost always a current limiting problem at startup because their wires are too small. You can't use the same size wire as a bilge pump. Mastercraft (as well as other brands) had problems with their early ballast systems and some dealers were replacing the wiring harness with larger gauge wires.
I have a factory X-9/PS209 front ski locker sack available if someone is interested.
I can try to take pictures this week.
T Scott
03-07-2005, 06:24 PM
Dan,
I think I can use the floor locker bladder you mentioned. Let me kknow how much you wnat for it. tjscott919@aol.com
Tom
bfrye
03-07-2005, 07:03 PM
Thanks Dan, keep us posted on the pics.
bfrye
03-08-2005, 01:29 PM
Dan, Did you wire the pumps through relays, or directly to the switch?
Directly to the switches.
Here are some lousy pictures.
I have no idea how the X-9 does the plumbing.
These are of the thru-hull pickup. I used all 1" up to the pumps. I would recommend 1 1/4 or 1 1/2" instead of the the 1" I used. I used 1" because the gate valve was shorter and I could only find a 1" threaded "T" at the time. That being said, I have done calculations and timed my fill and empty times. Running all three pumps at once, all three sacks fill or empty within 5% of theoretical. I believe the pumps are the limiting factor. They use 3/4" fittings and have pretty small IDs. I used a dremel and opened up the apertures inside the "T" for better water flow. Not all fittings are the same, I really tried to use ones with the largest ID.
Here is a picture of the switches. Factory X-9 parts except I added the bottom right switch for the rear ski locker sack.
This is a sack very similar to the X-9 factory rear sack. I used the same Qwik-Lok fittings (even though they are more restrictive) as Mastercraft because I like to take this sack out and let the floor dry. The pump is directly behind the speaker. You can see the one way valve in the top vent line. I try not to use the blue waterbed fittings. I cram a 90 degree 3/4" PVC fitting in so that I can get a lower profile fitting.
Here is the rear ski locker. The pump is just loose for now. The plastic cover is just intended as a splash cover. It has holes for cooling. I'll probably mount it to the side wall once I'm sure I like it.
One thing about the Simer pumps, they recommend putting a spoonfull of vegetable oil in before each use :confused: . Since the intended use of this pump is a battery backup basement sump pump, how do you anticipate an emergency and oil the impellar with each use? I have decided to go with a shot of silicone once or twice a year, which is one reason why all three of my pumps are placed in easily accessed locations and not tucked away nicer.
SteveO
03-12-2005, 08:26 AM
Dan,
Thanks for the pics. Where are you dumping the sacs? How large is the rear and front locker sacs?
Looks great. I like the volume on the tower and sub. I only have a tower volume control, but can see how the sub volume control would be nice. You just keep adding to my wish list.
The sacks dump out the same direction they fill. The switches reverse the polarity on the pumps and they reverse directions. Water goes out the bottom. I have to keep an ear on the pumps or an eye on the sacks to know when they are empty.
Front locker sack is a custom rectangular 15"x12"x80", ~62 gal, ~519 lbs.
Rear locker sack is a standard round Fat Sac 20"x20"x50", says it is 600 lbs but calculates out to more like 567, I can't fill it all the way in the rear locker so it is probably more like 500 lbs.
I still have the stock front sack, 12" dia x 80" if anybody wants it.