Ballast Tank Full Indicator

Bransher · Post by **Bransher** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:17 pm

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I believe this is a new source for a whistle that indicates when the ballast tank is full. It says it is loud enough to be heard at the other end of the boat. Checkout the following link:

Fuel Whistle

Be advised that I have not yet ordered or used this product. I just thought it looked good when I saw it.

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:29 pm

This is a very simple but practical approach for a single handed sailor it is the next gadget on my list....

Post by **NiceAft** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:10 am

Bransher, Matt,

Don't worry about it until the water gets up to your ankles. It's just more ballast

Ray

deacm · Post by **deacm** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:36 am

OK, I'll bite, but where would you PLACE the unit? Would you attach it to the vent hole? But how would you get it in-line BELOW the vent hole for it to work properly. AM I missing something here?

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:26 am

Seems to me that a single handed sailor could:

1. go forward and remove the vent plug, placing this in the vent hole.
2. go aft and open the transom valve.
3. when the whistle stops, he knows water has exited the vent hole, so he closes the transom valve.
4. Go forward and remove this thing and replce the vent plug...

Any whistle would probably do the same thing... I wonder if those whistles that you buy in the sporting goods section of Wal-mart, that you are supposed to mount on your bumper to scare off deer, would work...

Hardcrab · Post by **Hardcrab** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:05 am

DLT
I was under the impression that those deer whistles were ultrasonic, beyond the range of human hearing. I could be wrong though, I frequently am.
I like the theory of installing an extension PVC pipe into the stock vent hole so as to raise the plug up 4 or 5 inches to just under flush with the "catch pot". I get slightly annoyed with the water that splashes out of the hole and collects in the pot before you can get forward to install the plug. Since we always use a few capfuls of bleach, this overflow stinks of bleach and rots the soak-up sponge I keep in the pot.
By the way, does anyone think that the ballast water will keep filling up and flooding the boat if you leave the valve and vent plug open while tied up? I don't think it will, but I'll listen to those that think it can happen.

Post by **NiceAft** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:19 pm

The water will flow through the vent hole to the level of the water level outside the boat. If the highest point of the cone is higher than the level of the water outside the boat, it won't overfill while the boat is level. Heeling over, well that's another story

If the outside water level is higher than the cone, well the nautical term is sinking

Ray

Tahoe Jack · Post by **Tahoe Jack** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:39 pm

I'm all for simplicity....but I am doubtfull that the air flow velocity will generate a loud enough whistle....and even less as it is just full. I posted a mod a year or so ago for an inexpensive electronic mod that works everytime.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=540 Not expert at this linkage issue so if that doesn't work, look in mods under misc and for ballast full indicator.

Jack

K9Kampers · Post by **K9Kampers** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:45 pm

I agree with Tahoe Jack about the air flow velocity in the ballast tank being insufficient to blow a whistle. The fuel whistle on the other hand works because there is a positive pressure generated by the fuel pump. If pouring fuel from a tank thru a funnel, the fuel whistle wouldn't sound either.

I may be new at this, having only launched 24 times last year, but I never really understood the expressed problem. I rig alone and usually singlehand, and have never had a problem with knowing when the ballast tank is full. I know my tank will fill in less than 10 minutes. I stick my finger in the vent hole to gauge the water level and have never had an overflow. Why the need to complicate with a gadget that may or may not work?

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:16 pm

NiceAft wrote: the nautical term is sinking

An altimeter can also be used to verify this if you want a second opinion.

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 6:56 pm

I would say a GPS might be a third but they don't work under water - - - do they?

Rick

beene · Post by **beene** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:01 am

An altimeter can also be used to verify this if you want a second opinion.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:26 am

I was under the impression that those deer whistles were ultrasonic, beyond the range of human hearing

Another reason to have dogs on board at all times...

Whose got the 5 Westies for crew?????

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:51 am

Those with older boats that have the vent at the steps have to watch this more closely. Water will flood out if you don't plug the hole when the tank is full. As I've held my finger in the hole waiting there is quite a bit of air flow, I would think it would blow a whistle just fine. I like the idea of a plug hooked up to a whistle that would allow the vent to be unattended at the end of the fill. The more restricted opening would serve to increase the air velocity. Once the whistle stops and the aft valve is closed the whistle plug would be replaced with the normal plug.

Some others have decided to do away with the plug all together. They have extended the vent higher using tubing, most often to the anchor locker. A ball valve in the tubing line can then serve as a plug and you never have to worry about water spilling or sloshing out.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... &record=72

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:06 pm

My '97 has the air vent at the companion way step. I"ve never had water slosh out on filling when the boat was sitting still. It always stops about 3 inches short of the hole. Even when I go to the bow and get rid of air trapped up there.
However, I discovered that when idling in reverse gear, the ballast tank not only can fill completely in about four minutes, but will then overflow and fill your bilge if you aren't watching!

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com