Dumb pump question

[MadDogMike]

I'm adding a dedicated fill pump for a bow sac in my '04 VLX. I know I can use the Piranha's or Tsunami's or various other brands, but I can't seem to find one that matches the factory connections (unless I buy it from an overpriced wakeboard-dedicated store).

The factory pumps look like these:

I can't find a pump that looks quite like that. I can get a livewell pump, but it has an extra port on it:

Or, I can get an aerator pump, but it has this super long inlet:

(All the Tsunami's I've found have the long inlet, too.)

So, do I get the livewell pump and something to block the extra port, or the aerator pump and hacksaw the inlet down to size?

thanks,

Mike

[Slurpee]

Uhm, what are the factory sizes for '04 for those of us unlucky enough to have factory ballast and know off the top of their heads?

I used Rule 405FC Aerator pumps which don't have that big threaded inlet (which yes you can saw down). They are about $35 online and are 1100gph pumps with a 3/4" inlet and a 1" outlet.

[MadDogMike]

Uhm, what are the factory sizes for '04 for those of us unlucky enough to have factory ballast and know off the top of their heads?

I think the factory pumps have 3/4" inlets and 3/4" outlets.

Looks like the pump you suggested also has a second outlet port, but it comes with a plug:

Edited September 5, 2009 by MadDogMike

[Slurpee]

Uhm, what are the factory sizes for '04 for those of us unlucky enough to have factory ballast and know off the top of their heads?

I think the factory pumps have 3/4" inlets and 3/4" outlets.

Looks like the pump you suggested also has a second outlet port, but it comes with a plug:

Yeah. The extra port is for bypassing the pump. You can plug it without a problem. Go to the Rule pump website and poke around the aerator pumps to see if any are set up right for you.

[MadDogMike]

Do they always come with a plug for that extra port? I'd hate to have to try and hunt one down.

[Slurpee]

Do they always come with a plug for that extra port? I'd hate to have to try and hunt one down.

As far as I know. You can get those plugs at the hardware store anyways. Standard thread pvc plug.

[skicrave]

No, they don't always come with the extra port, that's an additional option some manufacturers offer for aeratoring two livewell tanks.

ANY aerator pump with a 3/4" NPS threaded intake and a 3/4" hose barb outlet will work as a direct replacement for your factory pump. You may need to cut down the intake thread with a hand saw if it's an Attwood pump, but that poses absolutely no problems. Personally I think the Attwood pump is a better, more reliable, easier to service (and cheaper) pump, so that's what I would use, but the choice is up to you.

[MadDogMike]

I bought the pump like this:

Turns out it does come with the plug for the second port, so it's essentially plug & play like the OEM pump. No hack saw necessary.

Edited September 18, 2009 by MadDogMike