Water intake

[pauh20]

Has anyone put a grate like chicken wire over the water intake on the bottom of a sea doo to assist with keeping items out of the impeller? I have 2 2011 GTI SE 130.

 

[bigJake]

i see you are in Arkansas but do you really have a problem with chickens in your impeller Anything that you put over the grate is going to impact the flow of water to the pump. Don't try to outthink the BRP engineers.

 

[pauh20]

Thanks for the reply. I just wanted to know how much it would effect the performance.

 

[bigJake]

that question has come up a few times in the past. It sure would be nice to be able to keep crap out of the impeller.

 

[pauh20]

that question has come up a few times in the past. It sure would be nice to be able to keep crap out of the impeller.

It looks like if there was a lot of smaller holes instead of the larger holes, that it would keep rope and sticks from getting in to the impeller, but would still let enough water in. If it degraded performance just a little but worked keeping things out, to me it would be worth it.

 

[bigJake]

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?53907-Clogged-11-Tine-Rock-grate

 

[pauh20]

Thanks. I will check that out. Seems like a good solution.

 

[door54]

Are you cautious by nature or by unpleasant/costly experience? Do you ride in the shallows? What models do you have?

 

[pauh20]

I am cautious by nature, but also have had some costly experience with rope getting into the impeller. I have 2 GTI SE 130's 2011. It is $270.00 to have a wear ring replaced if one gets messed up. I just wanted to try and prevent it from happening again.

 

[door54]

Never pleasant givin' a shop your $ The design engineers at BRP obviously have set minimum water intake requirements worked into the performance output. I would almost have to think that something along the lines of a debris shield would have negative impact on flow. I think it comes down to keeping an open eye and water depth awareness. IMO

 

[pauh20]

I always try and keep an open eye where I am ridding. I have not had any trouble with depth or rocks getting in, but there was some rope that I could not see under the water till the impeller had sucked it up. If it degraded the performance a little, I would be fine with that. I sure don't want to have to pay this out again. With having 2 sea doo's this can get very costly.

 

[pauh20]

Update: I added a piece of expanded metal. 3/4" holes. You can pick this up at Home Depot for $20.00. Cut a piece 5" wide by 14" long. Added this on the outside of the plate. Took it out on the lake today. Did not lose any power and no cavitation.

 

[red2blue]

Unreal....wonder how long it's gonna be before you wrap that crap around your drive shaft.

You felt no difference in performance?...c'mon...at 5miles an hr you prolly wouldn't.

Seriously...no difference in performance?

 

[pauh20]

It is going to be hard to wrap that around the shaft when it is expanded metal. No there is no difference in performance at 5 miles per hour or 55 miles per hour.

 

[red2blue]

It is going to be hard to wrap that around the shaft when it is expanded metal. No there is no difference in performance at 5 miles per hour or 55 miles per hour.

Well...we're gonna have to agree to disagree. Because there is no way I wouldn't know that was restricting flow, at speed, to my prop....no way.

Do keep in touch though on this board or hell..over to GH. keep the pics coming and prove me wrong...seriously...no joke...no disrespect intended.

 

[door54]

Well maybe you came up with a simple solid idea, and maybe not....time will tell. Keep us posted on it's performance/conditions. One thing though...Do I detect nylon tie straps/zip ties as your method of attachment to the grate? I have seen those used in aerospace applications, and hundreds of other creative techniques, and Ive learned that while they can be a durable fastner, they do have load issue limitations in and out of controlled conditions. I would look into an alternative MOA.

 

[pauh20]

Yes right now for testing purpose there are black cable ties holding it on. I want to make sure it was going to perform the way it should. I have stainless steel cable ties that I am going to attach it with, since I know it works great.

 

[dbdave]

I can't believe this! You have created an accident waiting for a time to happen. Do you realize the amount of force and suction that is present at the pump intake? Do you realize that if anything lets go from your mod, you are guaranteeing destruction that may or may not cost you a lot of money. Picture a garbage disposal with a spoon in it. Additionally, I can't see how there is not a large amount of cavitation going on as the water passes through the screen. All I can say is good luck with that. If it lasts very long, I'll be very surprised.