3.0 Electrical Installation

3.1 Electrical Installation Introduction

This section for electrical installation explains how to mount the electrical equipment and how to connect the electrical cables.

Reference Documents & Drawings:

Seakeeper 2, Front Oblique View
Seakeeper 2, Rear Oblique View
High Current 12VDC Power Input, 2AWG

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Low Current 12VDC Power Input Cable,
P/N 20248
SW Pump 12 VDC Power
Input Cable, P/N 30327
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SW Pump 12 VDC Power Output Cable, P/N 20334

M12 D-Code, Male-Female Cable, 32.8 ft (10 m), P/N 30330
NMEA 2000 Drop Cable,
19.7 ft (6 m), P/N 30332

Figure 10 – Electrical Equipment for Seakeeper 2

3.2 Electrical Equipment Power Connections

3.2.1 High Current 12 V Power Input

Figure 11 – Seakeeper 2 DC Power Input & Output Connections

High Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements

SourceBattery Bank, 12 VDC, Marine, Deep Cycle (AGM battered recommended)
Voltage Range10 – 15 VDC
Continuous Current75 A
Overcurrent Protection100 A (Customer Supplied)

High Current 12 VDC Power Connection Instructions

  1. High Current 2 AWG conductors connect the Seakeeper to the DC source are supplied as length 13ft (4 m). Approximately 3 ft (1 m) is routed inside the Seakeeper frame.
  2. Conductor length may be increased, but changing from 2 AWG to larger wire size does not allow longer length than 30 ft (9 m) each. The length limit is required to limit the inductance from the high current conductors.
  3. Use the shortest length and most direct route to the battery bank as possible.
  4. Bind positive (B+, red) & negative (B-, black) conductors together throughout entire length and do not coil.
  5. Connect positive conductor (B+, red) through dedicated over-current protection device (customer supplied) and a dedicated isolation switch (customer supplied) then directly to battery positive terminal.
  6. Connect negative conductor (B-, black) directly to battery negative terminal.
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Figure 12 – 2 AWG Conductor Connections at Circuit Breaker and Battery
  1. If the 2 AWG high current 12 V power input conductors are shortened or lengthened, use heavy-duty eyelet (closed end) terminal such as Molex 19221-0235 and follow instructions on Seakeeper Drawing No. 90470 – Seakeeper 2 Cable Block Diagram, sheet 2.
  2. The bare wire strands should extend fully into the barrel of the heavy-duty eyelet and be crimped in two places if possible then sealed with double-wall heat shrink tubing. Crimp heavy-duty terminals with Quick Cable 4245 Crimp Tool, Molex 19284-0034 Crimp Tool, or equivalent using manufacturer’s instructions.
Figure 13 – High Current Conductor Crimping Instructions

3.2.2 Low Current 12 V Power Input

Low Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements

SourceBattery Bank, 12 VDC, Marine, Deep Cycle
Alternate SourcePower Supply / Battery Charger, 12 VDC
Voltage Range11 – 15 VDC
Continuous Current9 A
Overcurrent Protection15 A (Customer Supplied)

Low Current 12 VDC Power Connection Instructions



Reversing polarity on the DC power input to the Seakeeper can result in damaging the electronics in the control system.

  1. Install Seakeeper-provided Low Current DC Power Input Cable, (P/N 20248) to battery bank.
  2. Connect control power positive conductor (B+, red) through dedicated over-current protection device (customer supplied) and a dedicated Seakeeper isolation switch (customer supplied). A 2AWG, B+ conductor (red), is capable of carrying the current for both the High Current, Low Current, and Seawater Pump from the 12VDC power supply to the dedicated battery isolation switch.
  3. Connect negative conductor (B-, black) directly to battery minus terminal or negative DC bus bar.
  4. Before connecting Low Current Power Cable to Seakeeper, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 14 below.

When energizing DC power the first time, if display does not power up immediately then disconnect and inspect connector polarity.

Figure 14 – Low Current 12 VDC Power Input Connector Contact Assignments (Front)
  1. Connect low-current control power cable to Low Current 12 VDC power input connector on the Seakeeper, Deutsch DTP04-2P connector.

3.2.3 DC Seawater Pump 12 V Power Output

DC Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Source Specifications

Source12 VDC from the Seakeeper
Voltage Range10 – 15 VDC
Continuous CurrentOn-demand, typically ~10 A
Overcurrent ProtectionPer pump specification, max 15 A

DC Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Input Connection Instructions

  1. Located the Seawater Pump Power Input Cable (P/N 30327) for Seakeeper 2 “SW Pump DC In” connection on Seakeeper 2 wire harness (as shown in Drawing No. 90470).
  2. Connect the 16 AWG positive conductor (red) through dedicated overcurrent protection device (customer-supplied), maximum of 15A, to dedicated battery isolation switch.
    • The High Current, 2AWG B+ conductor (red), is capable of carrying the current for both the High Current, Low Current, and Seawater Pump from the 12VDC power supply to the dedicated battery isolation switch.
  3. Connect the 16 AWG negative conductor (black) directly to battery negative terminal or DC main negative bus bar.
  4. Before connecting the SW Pump Power Input Cable to the Seakeeper 2, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 15 below.
  5. Connect SW Pump Power Input Cable to Seawater Pump 12 VDC In connector on the Seakeeper, DEUTSCH DT04-2P connector.
Figure 15 – 12 VDC Seawater Pump Power Input Connector

Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Output Connection Instructions

  1. Locate the Seawater Pump Power Output Cable (P/N 20334) for “SW Pump 12VDC Out” connection on Seakeeper 2 wire harness (as shown in Drawing No. 90470).
  2. Pumps rated at 12 VDC, 15 amps maximum, customer-supplied, must be configured with a Deutsch DT series, 2-pin receptacle to mate with the connector as shown in Figure 16.
    • TE Connectivity (Deutsch) DT04-2P Receptacle, 2-Way, for Male Pins (qty 1)
    • TE Connectivity (Deutsch) 0460-202-1631 Pin, Solid, Gold-plated, Size 16, 16-20 AWG (qty 2)
    • TE Connectivity (Deutsch) W2P Wedgelock for 2-Way DT Receptacle (qty 1)
Figure 16 – Seawater Pump DC Output Power Cable End
  1. The Seawater Pump Power Output Cable must be routed and installed in the vessel from the Seakeeper 2 “SW Pump 12VDC Out” Deutsch connector plug (pins end) to the DC seawater pump cable Deutsch connector (socket end).
  2. Connect Seawater Pump Power Output Cable (socket end) to the customer-supplied receptacle end (pins end). The recommended wiring arrangement is shown in Figure 17
  3. Seakeeper DC Seawater Pump Assembly (P/N 30331), which is prewired for the Seawater Pump Output Cable, is available as an option with the Seakeeper 2.
Figure 17 – Seawater Pump Power Output

3.3 Electrical Equipment Ground Connections

Seakeeper to Vessel Ground Connection Instructions

  1. Connect the Seakeeper foundation ground stud, shown in Figure 18, to vessel ground.
    1. Install Ground Wire (4 AWG or 25 mm2, Customer Supplied) from the M6 brass ground stud to vessel grounding bus to comply with:
      1. EM / IEC 60204-1 Clauses 6.3.3 and 8.2.3.
      2. ABYC E-11 July 2018 Clauses 11.5.2 and 11.16.1.

NOTE: ONLY USE THIS LOCATION FOR GROUNDING THE SEAKEEPER TO THE VESSEL GROUND.

Figure 18– Ground Stud on Frame

b. A proper ground connection is critically important for corrosion
protection and helps to ensure the ignition protection of the unit
by ensuring it does not carry any stray current.

c. NOTE: the ground is not referring specifically to a bonding system
but for outboard boats generally refers to the outboard engine
negative terminal, or its bus, to the DC grounding bus. This connection
shall be used only as a means of maintaining the negative side of the
circuit at ground potential and is not to carry current under normal
operating conditions. See Figure 19.

Figure 19 – ABYC E-11, figure 4A, Typical Outboard DC System

3.4 Display Connection

3.4.1 Seakeeper 2 Display Options

A Seakeeper display is required with the installation of a Seakeeper 2 to support the full functionality of the unit through the Seakeeper App in addition to the ConnectBox. The Seakeeper App provides an interface for controlling the Seakeeper 2 or viewing the Settings, Service, Info, and Alarm pages. The Seakeeper ConnectBox can be helm-mounted to provide an additional interface for the control of the Seakeeper 2 but does not replace the need for a Seakeeper compatible display.

The Seakeeper 2 has several options for establishing a Seakeeper display interface to support the Seakeeper App:

  1. Preferably, connect the Seakeeper 2 to a compatible Multifunction Display (MFD).
  2. Install an optional Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display.
  3. A combination of a compatible MFD and an optional 5″ Touch Display is also available, as seen in Figure 19 below (See drawing 90470).

Figure 20 provides a schematic of the display options. The subsequent sections outline the instructions and references for connecting the Seakeeper 2 to each of these display options.

Figure 20 – Serial Communications Link for Operator Station

3.4.2 Connecting to Compatible MFD

  1. The Seakeeper 2 can be connected to a variety of available MFD systems. Refer to the Technical Bulletins Section of the Seakeeper Technical Library for manufacturer specific MFD compatibility technical bulletins.
    1. MFD specific Technical Bulletins will be updated regularly as new MFD systems become compatible. Currently Garmin, Raymarine, NAVICO, and Furuno offer compatible MFD models.
    2. Once a compatible MFD has been selected, refer to the appropriate manufacturer specific Technical Bulletin for integration instructions.
  2. Connect Seakeeper-supplied Ethernet Adapter, M12 D-Code, 32.8 ft (10 m), cable to MFD manufacturer-specific Ethernet adapter cable (See Figure 21). Custom Ethernet cables for specific MFD manufacturers are available through Seakeeper and must be purchased with the Seakeeper 2 if connecting to an MFD.
Figure 21 – ConnectBox to MFD Connection

3.4.3 Connecting to an Optional Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display

If not utilizing a compatible MFD display, a Seakeeper 5” Touch Display must be purchased from Seakeeper. The Seakeeper 5” Touch Display (P/N 90467) includes the components shown in Figure 22 and will be integrated with the ConnectBox.

Figure 22 – Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display Components (P/N 90467)
  1. Determine location of Seakeeper 5” Touch Display:
    1. The desired location of the 5” Touch Display must be determined with respect to the vessel’s arrangement.
    2. The 5” Touch Display should be located on or near the helm or another easily accessible location.
  2. Route CAN communications cable:
    1. The CAN Cable Assembly is a 32.8 ft (10 m) shielded cable that connects the ConnectBox to the 5” Touch Display.
    2. The CAN cable assembly must be routed and installed in the vessel from the Seakeeper wire harness CAN Tee to the Tee Adapter at the Seakeeper 5” Touch Display, included with P/N 90467.
  3. Install Seakeeper 5” Touch Display equipment:
    1. Console space required: Approx. 5.24 W x 3.70 H in. (133 x 94 mm)
    2. Mounting Instructions, Surface Mount: see Envelope and Mounting Details, in Drawing No. 90438 – 5” Operator Display Envelope and Mounting Details.
  4. CAN communications tee adapter and terminator mounting instructions:
    1. Console space required, Rear: Approx. 4 W x 3 H in. (102 x 76 mm), rear
    2. Mounting Instructions: Rear mount on vessel console panel, within 2 ft (0.6 m) of Display.
    3. Hardware required: One mounting screw for .197 in. (5 mm) diameter mounting hole on Tee Adapter.
  5. Connect Seakeeper 5” Touch Display Equipment:
    1. The Seakeeper 5” Touch Display is connected in accordance with Drawing No. 90470 – Seakeeper 2 Cable Block Diagram, as shown in Figure 23.
Figure 23 Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display Connection

3.4.4 NMEA 2000 Network Connection

The Seakeeper 2 requires a connection to the vessel’s NMEA 2000 network backbone via a drop cable for access to the GPS signal. The Seakeeper 2 will monitor information on the NMEA network to support and optimize the performance of the Seakeeper 2. If no GPS signal is detected, a warning will appear on the Seakeeper display. The Seakeeper will not spool-down, but the operation of the unit will be limited until the GPS signal returns.

  1. Install customer-supplied NMEA 2000 Tee Adapter (space required: approximately 4 W X 3 H in. (102 X 76 mm).
  2. Connect NMEA Backbone to Tee Adapter. NOTE: NMEA drop cable can be no longer than 19.6 ft (6 m) in length.
  3. Connect Seakeeper-supplied NMEA cable (P/N: 30332) to the customer-supplied NMEA 2000 Tee Adapter on vessel’s NMEA 2000 backbone.
    1. An active NMEA 2000 compatible GPS signal is required on the vessel’s NMEA 2000 backbone to operate the Seakeeper 2.
      • If no GPS signal is detected, a Speed Over Ground (SOG signal) warning will be present on the Seakeeper app. See TB-90640 for NMEA connectivity guidance.

3.4.5 ConnectBox Helm Mounting – Optional

  1. Console space required: Approx. 3.41 L x 4.15 W in. (87 x 106 mm).
  2. Mounting Instructions, Surface Mount: See Drawing No. 90558 – ConnectBox Helm Mounting Kit, for details.
  3. Mount ConnectBox Replacement Blank insert into Seakeeper 2 enclosure at the original location of the ConnectBox.