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
• 90467 – Second Helm Station 5″ Display
• 90558 – ConnectBox Helm Mounting Kit
• TB-90191 – Seawater Cooling Pump Recommendations
• TB-90575 – DC Installation Kits
• TB-90621 – Seakeeper Battery Sizing Recommendations
• 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

The following images (Figure 1) show the electrical equipment included with the Seakeeper 3 Hardware Scope of Supply (Drawing No. 90388):

Figure 1 – Electrical Equipment for Seakeeper 3

3.2 Electrical Equipment Power Connections

3.2.1 High Current 12 V Power Input

This Section outlines the requirements and process for connecting the Seakeeper 3 High Current 12 VDC power input.

3.2.1.1 High Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements

3.2.1.2 High Current 12 VDC Power Connection Instructions

1. The 2 AWG conductors to connect the high current DC input power are supplied at13.12 ft (4 m). Approximately 3.28 ft (1 m) is routed within the gyro frame.
2. The 2 AWG conductor length may be increased to a maximum of 29.53 ft (9 m), but changing from 2 AWG to larger wire size does not allow longer length. 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 plus (B+, red) & minus (B-, black) conductors together throughout entire length and do not coil excess wire.
5. Connect plus conductor (B+, red) through dedicated 100A over-current protection device (customer supplied) and a dedicated battery isolation switch (customer supplied) then directly to battery plus terminal or positive DC bus bar.
6. Connect minus conductor (B-, black) directly to battery minus terminal.
7. 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 outlined in the following steps.

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 2).

3.2.2 Low Current 12 V Power Input

3.2.2.1 Low Current 12 VDC Power Source Requirements

3.2.2.2 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), as Cable 7to battery bank, per Drawing Number 90377.
2. Connect plus conductor (B+, red) through dedicated over-current protection device(customer supplied) and a dedicated Seakeeper isolation switch (customer supplied).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 minus conductor (B-, black) directly to battery minus terminal or negative DCbus bar.
4. Before connecting Cable 7 to Seakeeper, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 3 below.

5. Connect Cable 7 to Low Current 12 VDC power input connector on the Seakeeper, DEUTSCH DTP04-2P connector.

3.2.3 Seawater Pump Connection Instructions

3.2.3.1 DC Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Source Requirements:

3.2.3.2 Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Input Connection Instructions

1. Install Cable 8 (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 16AWG plus conductor (red) through dedicated overcurrent protection device (customer-supplied), maximum of 15A, to dedicated battery isolation switch.
   
   1. Cable 1, 2 AWG 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 battery isolation switch.
3. Connect the 16 AWG minus conductor (black) directly to battery minus terminal or DC main negative bus bar.
4. Before connecting Cable 8 to Seakeeper, check for proper voltage and polarity with a DC multimeter using Figure 4 below.

5. Connect Cable 8 to Seawater Pump 12 VDC In connector on the Seakeeper, DEUTSCHDT04-2P connector.

3.2.3.3 Seawater Pump 12 VDC Power Output Connection Instructions

1. Connect Cable 5 to the Seakeeper 3 “SW Pump 12VDC Out” for DC power output to the seawater pump.
   
   1. Cable 5 is a 2 x 16AWG cable, 16 ft (5m) 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 5.

3. Cable 5 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 Cable 5 plug end (socket end) to the customer-supplied receptacle end (pin end). The recommended wiring is shown in Figure 6.

3.3 Electrical Equipment Ground Connections

3.3.1 Seakeeper to Boat Ground Connection Instructions

1. Connect the Seakeeper foundation ground stud, shown in Figure 7, to vessel ground.
   
   1. Install Cable 6 (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: 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 8.

3.4 Seakeeper Display Connection

3.4.1 Seakeeper 3 Display Options

A Seakeeper 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 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 below (See drawing 90470).

Figure 9 provides a schematic of the standard display option. The subsequent sections outline the instructions and references for connecting the Seakeeper 3 in each display option.

3.4.2 Connecting to 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 compatible. Currently GARMIN, RAYMARINE, NAVICO (Simrad, Lowrance, and 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 and applicable adapter cable part numbers.
2. Connect Seakeeper-supplied M12 D-Code Cable, 32.8 ft (10 m), (P/N 30330), to MFD manufacturer-specific Ethernet adapter cable. Custom Ethernet cables for specific MFD manufacturers are available through Seakeeper and must be purchased with the Seakeeper 3 if connecting to an MFD.

3.4.3 Installing the Optional Seakeeper 5″ Touch Display

1. Determine location of Seakeeper 5” Touch Display (P/N 90467):
   
   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 (P/N 30243), is a 82 ft (25 m) shielded cable that connects the Seakeeper to the 5” Touch Display.
   2. The CAN Cable must be routed and installed in the vessel from the Seakeeper wire harness CAN to the Tee Adapter at the Seakeeper 5” touch display.
3. Install Seakeeper 5” Touch Display equipment per figure above:
   
   1. Console space required: Approx. 5.24” W x 3.70 H” (133 x 94 mm)
   2. Mounting Instructions, Surface Mount: see Envelope and Mounting Details, 5” Touch Display (90438) for 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. Rear mount on vessel console panel, within 2 ft (0.6 m) of Display.
   3. Hardware required: One mounting screw for 0.197 in. (5 mm) diameter mounting hole on Tee Adapter.

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 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 – ConnectBox Helm Mounting Kit, for details.
3. Mount ConnectBox Replacement Blank insert into Seakeeper 3 enclosure at the original location of the ConnectBox.