4.0 Cooling Installation

4.1 Cooling Installation Introduction

The Seakeeper 6 is shipped with the cooling circuit filled and ready for use. Only a quick confirmation of glycol level is required.

Reference Documents & Drawings:

• 90396 – Seakeeper 6 / 5 Cable Block Diagram
• 90397 – Seakeeper 6 / 5 Cooling Water Schematic
• 30331 – Seakeeper DC Seawater Pump Assembly
• TB-90191 – Seawater Cooling Pump Recommendations

4.2 Installation Considerations

1. Installer is responsible for supplying a dedicated seawater pump and associated plumbing. Seawater connections on the heat exchanger mate with ¾ in. (19 mm) hose. An optional seawater pump can be purchased through Seakeeper, P/N30331.
2. There is no need to disconnect hose from glycol pump except to replace the pump. In this case, provision will need to be made to catch draining glycol as plumbing is disconnected. Use caution to avoid breaking plastic hose connections on pump casing.
3. The seawater pump is powered by Cable 5, via “SW Pump 12 VDC Out” on the Seakeeper 6, as outlined in Electrical Installation Section.
   • This pump must operate on 12 VDC, 15 A OR 24 VDC, 10 A power. Pumps requiring other voltages or higher current can still be controlled by using this supply to trigger an installer-supplied contactor but a separate source of power must be provided.
4. A dedicated through-hull fitting should be installed for each Seakeeper unit onboard the vessel to ensure sufficient seawater flow to each unit.
5. It is recommended that the seawater pump is located below the waterline, as close to the baseline of the vessel as practically possible, to maintain positive inlet pressure on the pump in all operating conditions.
6. A self-priming seawater pump is recommended to maintain water flow in all underway conditions. Cavitation can occur at the seawater inlet and potentially cause an air-lock condition restricting seawater flow to the heat exchanger.
7. Vented loops are optional and should only be considered with centrifugal style pumps. Self-priming or positive displacement style pumps do not require a vented loop, this includes Seakeeper P/N 30331.
8. Maximum seawater pressure in heat exchanger is 20 psi (1.4 bar)
9. Seawater flow requirement through heat exchanger is 2.5 GPM (9.5 LPM) minimum and 8 GPM (30.3 LPM) maximum under all operating conditions of the boat. When sizing seawater pump, installer should factor in losses for raw water plumbing. In addition to initial operation at dock, new installations should be checked to be within the flow requirements while vessel is at speed. Flows higher than 8 GPM (30.3 LPM) could affect heat exchanger life.

4.3 Connecting Seawater to Heat Exchanger

Connecting Seawater to Heat Exchanger

Refer to Figure 4 for typical seawater plumbing arrangement.

1. Connect seawater pump to Seakeeper dedicated through-hull fitting. A strainer and seacock valve should generally be installed between the seawater inlet and the pump.
2. Connect seawater from installer-supplied pump to lower ¾ in. (19 mm) hose barb on heat exchanger. Use the same practices as other below waterline seawater plumbing. Required flow rate is 2.5 GPM (9.5 LPM) minimum and 8 GPM (30.3 LPM) maximum.

3. Connect seawater discharge (upper hose barb) to overboard drain. Use the same practices as other below waterline seawater plumbing.
4. In addition to initial operation at dock, new installations should be checked for minimum 2.5 GPM (9.5 LPM) flow while vessel is at speed and when backing down.
   
   • If no other method of confirming flow is available, discharge line may be temporarily diverted to a bucket. Flow is calculated from time to fill a known volume.
   • A self-priming seawater pump (customer/installer supplied) may be required due to installation location to maintain water flow in all underway conditions where cavitation may occur and potentially cause an air-lock condition restricting seawater flow to the heat exchanger.
5. Inspect raw water plumbing after sea trial for any signs of leakage.
6. Heat exchanger contains removable end-caps to provide access for cleaning the tube bundle.

Seakeeper Optional DC Seawater Pump (P/N 30331)

1. Seakeeper offers a self-priming DC Seawater pump as an optional addition, P/N 30331– DC Seawater Pump Assembly, shown in Figure 6.
2. The Seakeeper Seawater Pump is a 24 VDC pump operated at 12 VDC for the Seakeeper 6.
3. The pump assembly is pre-wired for connection to Seakeeper 6 Cable 5 and includes a seawater strainer and various fittings. The pump specifications are as follows:

NOTE: Use only SeaFlo-provided threaded fittings for DC Seawater Pump 30331.

4.4 Adding Coolant

1. Cooling system is filled to proper level when shipped, with a mixture of 50% ethylene glycol and 50% distilled water. The clear tube between heat exchanger and reservoir should be filled with green coolant mixture. If level has dropped, check for evidence of leaks at all connections before adding fluid as described below. If coolant is at the correct level, skip to Section: Connecting Seawater to Heat Exchanger.

2. Mix 50% ethylene glycol with 50% distilled water in a clean container. Refer to Table 1 or glycol manufacturer’s literature for freezing points.

3. Pour mixture in until level reaches two-thirds of reservoir as shown in Figure 3. Filling reservoir above this level will not cause any damage but coolant may be expelled from pressure relief port in cap due to normal thermal expansion of coolant.
4. Connect 12 V to controller.
   1. At the Display check for any ALARMS
      
      
   2. Press the POWER ON/OFF button.
   3. The flywheel will start to spin and the glycol pump will start.
   4. Recheck glycol level with fluid circulating in coolant circuit. Sight down inside reservoir and check that coolant level is above upper port on reservoir as shown in Figure 3. Replace cap.
   5. After several minutes of running, press POWER ON/OFF button to turn power off to the flywheel and glycol pump. The glycol pump will stop and the flywheel will coast to a stop.
5. The cooling system is self-purging. If small amounts of air are in the system, they will most likely be dislodged during the first sea trial. Re-check level after sea trial and add fluid if required.