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:

• 90377 – Seakeeper 3 Cable Block Diagram
• TB-90191 – Seawater Cooling Pump Recommendations
• TB-90575 – DC Installation Kits
• TB-90621 – Seakeeper Battery Sizing Recommendations
• TB-90640 – ConnectBox Connectivity Requirements
• 90558 – ConnectBox Helm Mounting Kit
• Seakeeper Compatibility Technical Bulletins
  
  • TB-90478 – Garmin and Seakeeper Compatibility
  • TB-90479 – Raymarine and Seakeeper Compatibility
  • TB-90480 – NAVICO (Simrad / Lowrance / B&G) and Seakeeper Compatibility
  • TB-90598 – Furuno and Seakeeper Compatibility
• Optional 5″ Touch Display
  
  • 90467 – Second Helm Station 5″ Display
  • 90438 – 5″ Operator Display Envelope and Mounting Details

The following images (Figure 12) show the electrical equipment included with the Seakeeper 3 Hardware Scope of Supply (Drawing No. 90388) and are labeled on Seakeeper 3 Cable Block Diagram (Drawing No. 90377):

Figure 12 – Seakeeper 3 Electrical Equipment

3.2 Electrical Equipment Power Connections

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

3.2.1 High Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements:

3.2.2 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.
   
   1. If installing cables NOT provided by Seakeeper, ensure the folowing:
      
      • Cable lengths do not exceed 29.5 ft (9 m)
      • Cable gauge is 2 AWG or larger
      • Cables bound together but not coiled
      • When connecting aftermarket cables to the Seakeeper motor drive, observe the following:
        
        • Ensure terminal stacks include flat washers, split-lock washers, and hex head screws that came with the Seakeeper.
        • Torque battery terminal screws to 97 in-lbs (11 Nm).
        • Verify lock washers seated flat and lugs cannot rotate (See Figure 13A).

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.

1. 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, Molex19284-0034 Crimp Tool, or equivalent using manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Use heavy-duty eyelet (closed end) terminal such as Molex 19221 – Strip insulation from 2AWG conductor to the length of the terminal barrel approximately as shown.

3. Insert stripped end of 2 AWG conductor fully into barrel of heavy-duty eyelet (closed end) terminal, approximately as shown.

4. Crimp with quick cable 4245 cub crimp tool or equivalent, double
crimp, as shown.

6. Install approximately 1.5 in. (38 mm) of double wall (adhesive lined) heat shrink tubing over both the terminal barrel and the conductor insulation. Heat shrink in place until tubing conforms to barrel and conductor shape and adhesive seals the junction (See Figure 13B).

3.2.3 Low Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements

3.2.4 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, per Drawing Number 90377.
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 control power negative conductor (B-, black) directly to battery minus terminal or negative DC bus bar.
4. Before connecting low-current control power cable to Seakeeper, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 14 below.

5. Connect low-current control power cable to Low Current 12 VDC power input connector on the Seakeeper, Deutsch DTP04-2P connector.

3.2.5 DC Seawater Pump Power Source Requirements

3.2.6 DC Seawater Pump Power Connection Instructions

DC Seawater Pump Power Input Connection:

1. Install Seawater Pump 12VDC Input Cable (P/N: 30327) to Seakeeper 3 “SW Pump DC In” (as shown in Drawing No. 90377) with overcurrent protection corresponding to seawater pump selected.
2. Connect the 16 AWG positive conductor (red) through dedicated overcurrent protection device (customer-supplied), maximum of 15 A, to 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 Seawater Pump 12VDC IN cable to Seakeeper, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 15 below.

5. Connect Seawater Pump 12VDC Cable to Seawater Pump 12 VDC In connector on the Seakeeper, Deutsch DT04-2P connector.

DC Seawater Pump Power Output Connection:

1. Connect Seawater Pump 12VDC Output Cable to the Seakeeper 3 “SW Pump 12VDC Out” for DC power output to the seawater pump.
   
   1. The Seawater Pump 12VDC Output Cable is a 2 x 16AWG cable, 16 ft (5 m) length, with a size 16 female Deutsch plug.
2. Pumps rated at 12 VDC, 15 A maximum, customer-supplied, must be configured with a Deutsch DT series, 2-pin receptacle to mate with the connector shown in Figure 16.

3. The Seawater Pump 12VDC Output cable must be routed and installed in the vessel from the Seakeeper 3 “SW Pump12VDC Out” Deutsch connector (pins end) to the DC seawater pump cable Deutsch connector (socket end).
4. Connect the Seawater Pump Output cable plug end (socket end) to the customer-supplied receptacle end (pin end). The recommended wiring is shown in Figure 17.

3.3 Electrical Equipment Ground Connection

1. Connect the Seakeeper foundation ground stud, shown in Figure 18, to vessel ground.
   
   1. Install ground cable (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 2021 Clauses 11.5.2 and 11.17.

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

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.

3.4 ConnectBox Display Connections

3.4.1 Seakeeper 3 Display Options

A compatible display is required with the installation of a Seakeeper 3 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 3 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 3 but does not replace the need for a Seakeeper compatible display.

The Seakeeper 3 has several control interface connection options to support the Seakeeper App:

1. Connect the Seakeeper 3 to a compatible Multifunction Display (MFD) as seen in Figure 20.
2. Install an optional Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display (P/N 90467) as seen in Figure 21.
3. A combination of a compatible MFD and an optional 5″ Touch Display is also available (See drawing 90377).

The following figure provides a schematic of two display options. The subsequent sections outline the instructions and references for connecting the Seakeeper 3 to each of these display options.

3.4.2 Connecting to a Compatible MFD

1. The Seakeeper 3 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 available. Currently Garmin, Raymarine, NAVICO (Simrad, Lowrance, B&G), 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 cable, D-Code 32.8 ft (10 m) cable to MFD manufacturer-specific Ethernet adapter cable (See Figure 20 above). Custom Ethernet cables for specific MFD manufacturers are available through Seakeeper and must be purchased with the Seakeeper 3 when connecting to an MFD.

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 the following figure and will be integrated with the ConnectBox.

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, (labelled NMEA 2000 Cable in figure), is a 82 ft (25 m) shielded cable that connects the ConnectBox Tee adapter to the 5” Touch Display.
   2. The NMEA 2000 cable must be routed and installed in the vessel from the Seakeeper 3 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” 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)
   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 Figure 21 above.

3.4.4 NMEA 2000 Network Connection

The Seakeeper 3 requires a connection to the vessel’s NMEA 2000 network backbone via a drop cable for access to the GPS signal. The Seakeeper 3 will monitor information on the NMEA network to support and optimize the performance of the Seakeeper 3. 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 3.
      
      • 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 – Seakeeper ConnectBox Helm Mounting Kit, for details. Seakeeper ConnectBox 3D Model available upon request.
3. Mount ConnectBox Replacement Blank insert into Seakeeper 3 enclosure at the original location of the ConnectBox.