Poll: Ballast pumps, Tsunami vs. Jabsco

[talltigeguy]

I am in the planning process of adding some automated ballast to my boat for surfing. I can't decide on an aerator style pump vs. an impeller pump.

Tsunami advantages:
1. Cheap - about $30 per pump if you shop around for some T800's.
2. Low amperege draw
3. Can be run dry for extended periods if you forget to shut it off
4. Quieter than an impeller style.

Tsunami disadvantages:
1. Priming issues can be troublesome if not set up properly
2. Must be installed below the waterline, so getting to the pump may be difficult for initial installation and repairs.
3. Not reversible, so you need 2 of them to fully automate the system.
4. They are not self priming, so they will not suck air...so they will not suck a bag completely dry, but will come close.

Jabsco ballast puppies random thoughts:
1. They cost about $240 in most cases, but only 1 pump is needed.
2. They have a new run dry shut off that is supposed to protect the impeller from burning up, but it still is not good to accidentally leave it on.
3. Will usually be able to create a vaccum in the bag and suck it near completely dry.

The speed is about the same for either pump.

Answer my poll and give me further thoughts.

[chpthril]

Here is a thread I did awhile back that some thoughts were shared on both types.

http://tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8366

For me, I cant really say one is clearly better then the other. They both have advantages and disadvantages.

One thing I want to mention is that the impeller types have less flow rate loss over the length of the run then the aerators. So, if the two pumps that are being compared, start out with relatively same flow rate AT the pump, the impeller will have less drop at the sac, then the aerator. If filling/draining speed is your thing, then impellers is the way to go. If a good system, with out busting the bank, is what you want, then you cant beat the aerators.

[rollem wake]

the thought of repair/replace one pump verse the other?

[xpjim1]

When I did mine I used the Tsunamis. Only thing I miss is getting all the water out of the bag. If cost is not an issue I would go with the ballast puppies.

[majestic]

I bought 7 T-800 with shipping $205.98. My choice was financially driven, I did notice today after using for the first time that not getting all the water out was not that big of a deal it seemed to leave less than a gallon.

[xpjim1]

Im mostly concerned with the bow bag. It leaves alot in there. The rear bags are not bad. I might put a ballast puppy on the front bag only and use the extra tsunami to help fill the big surf sac.

[NHarp1]

I have Jabsco pumps on my ballast system and can always rely on them doing the job. Never a priming issue and my pumps suck the bags skin tight every time. Sometime, I lift the one end of the bag to help the water to the extraction opening and the bag sucks dry every time. Looks like a dried up prune.

[Timmy!]

What are these "Simer" pumps that I keep seeing pop up over on WW? Are they any good? Does anyone on here have experience with them? It looks like they are a reversible pump that is ~$70.

[chpthril]

They are an inexpensive, non ignition protected pump. Probably has .5 the life of a Jabsco :02: