Seakeeper 18 User manual

August 2020, Revision 2
INSTALLATION MANUAL
*THIS MANUAL ALSO COVERS THE SEAKEEPER 16 MODEL*
NOTE: THIS APPLIES TO SEAKEEPER 16 MODELS AFTER SERIAL No. 16-201-XXXX or LATER

INSTALLATION
MANUAL
Product:
Document #:
Rev:
SEAKEEPER 16 / 18
90549
2
SEAKEEPER 16 / 18
INSTALLATION MANUAL
AUGUST 2020
Contents:
Section 1 –Mechanical Installation & PC-120 Guide
Section 2 –Electrical Installation
Section 3 –Cooling Installation
Section 4 –Startup
Section 5 –Installation Checklist and Required Supplies
45310 ABELL HOUSE LANE, SUITE 350
CALIFORNIA, MARYLAND, 20619, U.S.A
PHONE: [phone]
E-MAIL: [e-mail]

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
1.0 Introduction
This document is intended to give details and guidance to a boat builder or equipment installer to
install the Seakeeper 16/18. The Seakeeper 16/18 can produce vertical loads up to 26.5KN
(5,965 lbs.), longitudinal loads up to 15.61KN (3,409 lbs.), and transvers loads of 2.22KN (500
lbs.) at each of the four mounts. Careful consideration should be given to foundation design to
insure it is capable of transferring these loads into the hull. These loads do NOT include vessel
motion accelerations, such as vertical slam loads which can be significant for high speed vessels
and vary based upon the longitudinal location.
There are two methods of installing the Seakeeper 16/18:
1) Bolt-In Installation
2) Bond-In (Saddle) Installation
It is assumed that the installer is familiar with bonding using high strength adhesives or
mechanical fasteners to marine structures and has performedstructural analysis to assure
the structure to which the Seakeeper mounts can properly transfer the loads the Seakeeper
creates into the hull structure. If the installer has any doubt about the ability of the
structure to transfer the loads to the hull, then a licensed naval architect or marine
engineer should be contacted to do a structural analysis.
The installer should review the following list of reference drawings to ensure the installation
procedure is fully understood.
Reference Drawings
90243 Seakeeper 16 Hardware Scope of Supply
90538 Seakeeper 18 Hardware Scope of Supply
90544 Seakeeper 16/18 Bolt-In Installation Guide
90545 Seakeeper 16/18 Bond-In Installation Guide
90540 Seakeeper 16/18 Cooling Water Schematic
90282 Seakeeper 16/12HD/18 Installation Template Kit
90539 Seakeeper 16/18 Cable Block Diagram
90548 Seakeeper 16/18 Bolt-in Kit
90547 Seakeeper 16/18 Bond-in Kit

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
1.1 Precautions
•The Seakeeper must only be lifted from the supplied lifting eyes (See Section 1.4), shown
in Figure 1.
•The Seakeeper flywheel is supported by precision bearings. DO NOT drop or impart
mechanical shock to the Seakeeper assembly when lifting or unpacking, as damage to
bearings could result.
•While handling / installing the Seakeeper assembly, protect exposed hydraulic brake
cylinder rods (See Figure 1) from scratches or damage as this could lead to premature
seal failure and oil leaks.
•While handling / installing the Seakeeper assembly, do not allow electrical fittings that exit
bottom of the Seakeeper enclosure to come in contact with any surface or object as this
could damage the fittings and potentially affect the vacuum integrity of the enclosure.
•Exercise care to protect the painted finish as damage to the finish could lead to early
appearance degradation of the installed Seakeeper.
FIGURE 1 –SEAKEEPER 16/18

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
1.2 Selection of Seakeeper Installation Location
Selection of mounting location of the Seakeeper should consider the following desirable
features:
The Seakeeper should be installed at, or aft of, amidships to minimize
high vertical acceleration loadings due to hull/wave impacts during
operation at high speed or in large waves. If the only possible Seakeeper
location is forward of amidships then the installer should have Seakeeper
review the installation location prior to finalizing the design.
•Overhead access or sufficient clearance for removal / re-installation of the
Seakeeper for overhaul in future years.
•The Seakeeper should be installed in a dry space to minimize effects of corrosion.
•Clearance forall recommended scheduled maintenanceand anyrepairs isnecessary (see
Figure 2).

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
VIEWS SHOWING RECOMMENDED CLEARANCES AROUND THE SEAKEEPER FOR USE OF HAND TOOLS, EASE
OF MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION AND PROPER OPERATION.
FIGURE 2 –INSTALLED SEAKEEPER CLEARANCE CONSIDERATIONS
FIGURE 3 –TRANSVERSE BEAMS CLEARANCE CONSIDERATIONS

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
Refer to Figure 3 for recommended clearances to transverse beams. If a transverse beam is
located under the forward brace, it must be 1” (25 mm) from the edge of the Seakeeper to
provide the necessary clearance for the swing of the motor power cable during the Seakeeper’s
precession. Clearances aft of the Seakeeper are shown to provide access for maintenance.
Safety
There is a large torque about the gimbal axis when the Seakeeper is precessing.
Seakeeper cover panels are provided to prevent personnel or equipment from contacting
the Seakeeper while it is in operation. These covers should not be stepped on or have
anything placed on top. The covers should always be in place during operation. If it is
ever necessary to access the Seakeeper while the flywheel is spinning, the Seakeeper
must be locked at the display to stop the Seakeeper from precessing. Seakeeper regular
scheduled maintenance should not be attempted unless the Seakeeper is locked and the
flywheel has stopped spinning.
The Seakeeper should be treated with the same respect one gives a high-speed rotating
propeller or engine shaft.
Noise/Soundproofing
Seakeeper noise has been measured under steady state conditions (no wave load) in
Seakeeper's lab and in our test boat. The steady state noise is typically in the range of 66-68 dB
un-weighted. As the frequencies emitting the highest sound pressures are low (like other marine
machinery), it is recommended that the Seakeeper be installed in a machinery space that is
already treated with soundproofing.

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
1.3 Selection of Installation Method
The Seakeeper 16/18 can be affixed to the hull structure using two methods:
1) Bolt-In installation or
2) Bond-In (Saddle) installation. See figures below.
OPTION 1- DIRECT FASTENING OF SEAKEEPER FOUNDATION TO SHIPS STRUCTURE

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Section 1: MECHANICAL INSTALLATION
Option 1 would be applied when a metal structure or metal reinforce fiberglass stringer is
available for attachment. The foundation would fasten directly to hull structure using isolation
gaskets and 16x M14X2.0 fasteners. Depending on the structural arrangement to which the
Seakeeper is fastened, blind threaded holes or thru-bolting can be utilized.
OPTION 2- SADDLE INSTALLATION (4 PLACES)