Simer reversible pumps

[bfrye]

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

[DanC]

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.

[bfrye]

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]

Originally Posted by DanC

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.

Dan,

Do you have any pics of the sacs, pump and switch? Any installation advice would be great.

[DanC]

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.

[DanC]

I can try to take pictures this week.

[T Scott]

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]

Thanks Dan, keep us posted on the pics.

[bfrye]

Dan, Did you wire the pumps through relays, or directly to the switch?

[DanC]

Directly to the switches.