My new Secret Ballast Addition

[KXCam22]

Anyone guess what it is? Cam.

 

[Seadeals]

Is that an electric-valved drain plug replacement to fill the bilge?

 

[buckbuck]

Hmmm...three wires. Probably not a solenoid. Some type of analog device? Pressure transducer?

 

[swatski]

Parker pump????

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[Murf'n'surf]

It's a Gems solenoid valve but not sure of your intended, brilliant use. Can't wait to hear....

 

[itsdgm]

An auto shutoff switch ?

 

[Bruce]

I agree with @Seadeals. Guessing you will install that inside of the drain plug hole and flood the bilge for ballast.

 

[KXCam22]

You guys are all close. That is a vacuum switch. I am on a quest for 100% reliable shutoff of my ballast pumps when the tanks are full and empty. The level switches I built for the full ballast tank, work 100% reliable, but the same style of switch was only about 50% reliable when used to detect if the bag was empty. Oddly enough, they worked great the first season and then hit and miss afterwards. I tested my ballast pump and when the bag is empty it draws 10" of vacuum (at the bag) since the check valve in the vent hose blocks air ingress and allows the bag to wrinkle up. My plan is to use these vacuum switches as the low level switch in my system. These vacuum switches are adjustable 5 to 15 inches. The three wires are since it has an open and closed contact. Cam.

 

[Jim Nichols]

You guys are all close. That is a vacuum switch. I am on a quest for 100% reliable shutoff of my ballast pumps when the tanks are full and empty. The level switches I built for the full ballast tank, work 100% reliable, but the same style of switch was only about 50% reliable when used to detect if the bag was empty. Oddly enough, they worked great the first season and then hit and miss afterwards. I tested my ballast pump and when the bag is empty it draws 10" of vacuum (at the bag) since the check valve in the vent hose blocks air ingress and allows the bag to wrinkle up. My plan is to use these vacuum switches as the low level switch in my system. These vacuum switches are adjustable 5 to 15 inches. The three wires are since it has an open and closed contact. Cam.

Great idea! Where did you find them?

 

[KXCam22]

These are GEMS but China Bay has them too. Cam.

 

[haknslash]

Looks similar to the pressure switches we use on our vehicle and industrial system valves (fire extinguishers).