Front ballast intake hose, why so long??

[Millertime]

Hi BU Crew

I have a 2005 VLX with center ballast, but no front ballast (I know still regretting not getting front tank). Over the weekend the ballast hose that runs from the intake pump to the center ballast tank cracked and I need to replace. Question why does the hose run from the pump up over the tank, up through the floorboard in the battery compartment, back down through the floor board, (exposing a small section) and then to the intake nipple on the hard tank. Can I just replace the hose by going from the pump to the hardtank (which is about a foot from the intake pump) or is there some reason the factory ran the ballast hose 6 to 8 foot into and outof the the battery compartment.

Thanks in advance

[wienrdog]

Anti-siphon/auto-fill prevention.

Typically the factory ballast pumps are aerator pumps without check valves & they will allow auto-fill when underway or siphon back out of the tank if a loop above the waterline isn't present. Often that loop will go as high up into the area/gunnel as possible.

Edit: You can replace just the short hose if you add a powered sprinkler valve or manual ball valve.

Edited July 28, 2009 by wienrdog

[Millertime]

Anti-siphon/auto-fill prevention.

Typically the factory ballast pumps are aerator pumps without check valves & they will allow auto-fill when underway or siphon back out of the tank if a loop above the waterline isn't present. Often that loop will go as high up into the area/gunnel as possible.

Edit: You can replace just the short hose if you add a powered sprinkler valve or manual ball valve.

Thanks weindog, I figured it had to do something with Anti-siphon, but wanted to make sure before running the new line.