Jabsco Ballast Puppy Wakeboard Towboat Ballast Pump, 12V, 9 GPM, Reversible, Run-Dry Protection, ISO 8846

Overview

The Jabsco Ballast Puppy is a reversible 12 V DC ballast pump made for wakeboard and towboat ballast systems, where fast filling and draining matter every time weight is adjusted on board. It moves water at 9 GPM, or 34 LPM, and is built for liquid ballast tanks that need the same pump to handle both fill and empty cycles.

This flexible impeller pump uses a bronze pump body, a stainless steel shaft, a lip-type seal, and ports that accept 1/2 inch internal pipe threads or 1 inch external hose connections. It also includes run-dry protection that shuts the pump off to help protect the impeller if the ballast tank has been emptied and the pump is left running.

The Ballast Puppy is a practical match for wake boats and ski boats where the ballast system is used often and needs a pump that is compact enough to fit near tanks, manifolds, or existing ballast plumbing. The motor should be installed in a dry location and must not be submerged.

Key features

• Reversible operation fills and drains wakeboard liquid ballast tanks through the same pump.
• 9 GPM flow rate, equal to 34 LPM, for fast ballast changes before or between riding sets.
• Run-dry protection helps protect the impeller when a ballast tank has been emptied and the pump is accidentally left on.
• 12 V DC motor fits standard towboat electrical systems.
• Bronze pump body and stainless steel shaft support long-term use in a wet marine environment when installed correctly.
• Porting supports 1/2 inch internal pipe thread connections or 1 inch external hose connections for common ballast plumbing layouts.
• Self-priming, non-airlocking flexible impeller design helps the pump recover flow in typical ballast installations.
• Ignition protected construction supports use in marine spaces where gasoline vapors may be present, when installed according to applicable marine wiring practices.

Variants

The Ballast Puppy is offered in two configurations that mainly differ by switching and connection setup. Both versions are part of the same 12 V reversible ballast pump family for wakeboard and towboat ballast systems.

The switching arrangement is the key choice: one version includes a reversing switch for direct control, while the other is supplied without the switch and uses a Deutsch connector for replacement or integration into compatible existing ballast wiring.

• 18220-1127: Reversing switch included, with Polyurethane Compound configuration. This version suits installations where the pump will be controlled from a dedicated reversing switch at the helm or another accessible location.
• 18220-5127: Reversing switch not included, with Deutsch Connector configuration. This version suits replacement work or integrated ballast systems that already have compatible control wiring in place.

Installation and setup

Mount the pump in a dry area where the motor is protected from standing water and spray accumulation. The motor is not waterproof, so the installation location matters as much as the plumbing route.

For ballast plumbing, keep hose runs as direct as the boat layout allows and make sure the pump is installed where service access is possible. Flexible impeller pumps require periodic impeller inspection, especially on boats that fill and drain ballast bags or tanks frequently.

Use on board

This pump is intended for wakeboard and ski boat owners who adjust ballast to shape the wake for riding conditions, crew weight, and riding style. Its reversible operation keeps the system simple because the same unit can move water into the ballast tank and back out again.

It is also a sensible replacement choice when the existing ballast system already uses the Ballast Puppy footprint, port style, or Deutsch-connected pump configuration. Matching the variant to the boat’s switching and wiring setup is the most important fit check before installation.