12. Actuator and Blade Installation

Actuator and Blade Installation Introduction

The final stages of installation are differentiated by the cable entry into the hull. If you are following a concealed cable entry, follow the procedure detailed in Section 12.1. For exposed cable entry, follow procedure in Section 12.2.

Note: Do not bend the Actuator Cable at a radius smaller than 50 mm (1.97 in.) to avoid damaging the cable.

12.1. Concealed Cable Entry

ATTENTION: The following bolts for the Seal Plate to Wedge Pack Assembly should be torqued at 50in-lbs. The Seal Plate’s 6 bottom bolts (600 mm Controllers will have eight [8] screws.) should be fastened FIRST with threadlocker (Vibratite), this will hold the Actuator and Seal Plate to the Wedge Pack Assembly. After the bottom bolts on the Seal Plate have been fastened with threadlocker, then the top bolts should be fastened with threadlocker.

1. Align the Actuator so the cable passes through the hole in the Wedge Pack Assembly and the Cable Gland. Feed the Actuator Cable through the Cable Gland and remove as much slack from the outboard side as possible.
2. Slide the Seal Plate over the Actuator and Install the six (6) M6-1.0 x 16 mm Allen head screws on the underside of the Seal Plate. (600 mm Controllers will have eight [8] screws.)
   • Note: You may need to insert one bolt and washer into the top of the Seal Plate to hold it in place for fastening of the bottom bolts. Do not torque the top bolt.
   • Note: Apply threadlocker, but do not apply the final torque during this step until top bolts are fastened on the top and bottom.

3. Fasten the six (6) M6-1.0 x 30 mm bolts and washers, as shown below. (600 mm Controllers will have eight [8] bolts and washers.) Note: Torque bottom and top bolts to 50in-Lbs

4. Torque the six (6) upper front bolts to 50 in-lbs (5.7 N-m) (eight [8] on a 600 mm Controller).
5. Tighten the Cable Gland on the inboard side of the transom. The Cable Gland should be snug to prevent leaking, but do not overtighten. Gently pull on the cable to ensure there is no movement and prove it is sealing securely.

Note: The Cable Gland must have the rubber grommet in place to properly seal. The outside of the cable must be clean of debris, dust, adhesives, etc. to properly seal. Do not allow acetone to come in contact with the Controller Cable Gland Sealing Nut.

4. Install the Blade to the Actuator Arms using the four (4) M8-1.25 x 20 mm screws and their washers. Torque these four (4) bolts to 80 in-lbs (9.0 N-m) in an ‘X’ pattern.

7. Once installed, push the Blade all the way down and verify that the Blade is not contacting the Seal Plate. There should be a small, even gap between the Blade and the Seal Plate. Contact Seakeeper if the Blade does not meet this requirement.

Note: Maintaining this gap between the Blade and Seal Plate is critical to maintaining factory tested failure mode performance. If the gap between the Blade and Seal Plate is too large, system performance will fall off. If the Blade contacts the Seal Plate, the friction will slow down the system’s response time, also reducing performance.

To maintain the factory fitment:

• Do not apply anti-fouling coating to the surfaces between the Blade and Seal Plate in order to avoid changing the fit of those parts.
• Always keep the surfaces between the Blade and Seal Plate clean and free from debris, including naturally occurring debris (such as marine debris) and other debris (such as paint or coating.
• When repairing or replacing any components on the Controller, confirm that the Blade rotates by hand. Resistance will be felt from the Actuator, but there must be no additional grinding or friction inhibiting movement.

12.2. Exposed Cable Entry

1. Install the Cable Guide Support in the groove in the Seal Plate.

2. Install the Actuator in the Seal Plate. Route the Actuator Cable through the Cable Guide Support.
3. Slide the Seal Plate and Actuator Assembly onto the Wedge Pack Assembly and fasten it using the six (6) M6-1.0 x 30 mm bolts and washers as shown in Figure 52 – Seal Plate Installation on Actuator. (600 mm Controllers will have eight [8] bolts and washers.) Note: Apply threadlocker, but do not apply the final torque at this time.
4. Install the six (6) M6-1.0 x 16 mm Allen Head Screws on the underside of the Seal Plate. (600 mm Controllers will have eight [8] screws.) Torque all screws to 50 in-lbs (5.7 N-m). See Figure 53 – Seal Plate Bottom Screw Installation.
5. Torque the six (6) upper front bolts to 50 in-lbs (5.7 N-m) (eight [8] on a 600 mm Controller).
6. Mount the Cable Guide Support in line with the natural path of the Actuator Cable to the transom. Pre-drill two (2) mounting screw pilot holes using a 3/32 in. (2.4 mm) bit. Inject sealant into the holes. Insert two (2) No. 8 x 0.75 in. screws and tighten with a Phillips head screwdriver.

7. Route the Actuator cable over the Inner Cable Guide. Feed as much cable as possible through the Cable Gland Tube.
8. Tighten the Cable Gland around the Actuator Cable on the inboard side of the transom (See Figure 54 – Cable Gland Installation Inboard of Transom). The Cable Gland should be snug to prevent leaking, but do not overtighten. If the Cable Gland was not selected, apply marine adhesive sealant to the cable sheath and cable hole to seal the penetration from outside the hull.
9. Place the Outer Cable Guide over the Inner Cable Guide. Mark the location of the six (6) mounting screw holes. Drill 3/32 (2.4 mm) pilot holes in these six (6) locations.
10. Inject sealant into the pilot holes for the mounting screws for the Outer Cable Guide. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, install the six (6) mounting screws into the hull and hand-tighten.

11. Install the Blade to the Actuator Arms using the four (4) M8-1.25×20 mm screws and their washers. Torque these four (4) bolts to 80 in-lbs (9.0 N-m) in an ‘X’ pattern (Figure 55 – Blade Installation).
12. Once installed, push the Blade all the way down and verify that the Blade is not contacting the Seal Plate. There should be a small, even gap between the Blade and the Seal Plate. Contact Seakeeper if the Blade does not meet this requirement.

Note: Maintaining this gap between the Blade and Seal Plate is critical to maintaining factory tested failure mode performance. If the gap between the Blade and Seal Plate is too large, system performance will fall off. If the Blade contacts the Seal Plate, the friction will slow down the system’s response time, also reducing performance.

To maintain the factory fitment:

• Do not apply anti-fouling coating to the surfaces between the Blade and Seal Plate in order to avoid changing the fit of those parts.
• Always keep the surfaces between the Blade and Seal Plate clean and free from debris, including naturally occurring debris (such as marine debris) and other debris (such as paint or coating.
• When repairing or replacing any components on the Controller, confirm that the Blade rotates by hand. Resistance will be felt from the Actuator, but there must be no additional grinding or friction inhibiting movement.