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Series / parallel switch box installation manual 1.0.1 - 2018
Note! To achieve maximum eect, reliability and durability from your Side-Power thruster, a cor-
rect installation as per the instructions are very important. Please follow the instructions carefully,
and make sure that all checkpoints are carefully controlled.
Introduction and planning for the installation of the Side-Power series / paral-
lel switch box.
The Side-Power series/parallel switch box have been designed to provide a safe and reliable 24V
power for a 24V thruster in a 12V boat.
It has been specially designed and built to accommodate for the high current demands of an elec-
tric thruster and are available in two versions, one for the SE170TC and one for the SP240TC.
It is also designed so that there is no need for additional charging devices and connections, the
extra battery will be automatically charged by the “original” charge feed in the boat for the stand-
ard battery (battery bank) that are being used as “Batt.1”.
There are no need to install 2 special battery banks as one of the boats “standard” banks can be
used as Batt.1, preferably the start battery bank as this is “always” full. The start battery bank is
also preferred as there are normally no electronics that can be knocked out by a voltage drop or
peak caused by all heavy electromtotors such as a thruster.
NOTE ! If you have electronically controlled engines (MMC / Volvo EDC / Morse etc.) the
power to these must not be taken from the same battery as you power a thruster (or any
other high power electric item). The best and most easy way to solve the power feed to
such sensitive and critical items is a small extra battery for this. It is less expensive to pro-
vide a separate power feed to the electronic engine controls instead of a separate battery
system for the heavy users, as the electronics have a very small power demand in compar-
ison with a thruster, windlass and the engines starter motor.
Without exceptions, Batt.2 can have no other connections other than those described in these
instructions.
We advice to install the extra battery (Batt.2) and the series / parallel switch box as close to the
battery (bank) used as Batt.1 as possible.
Make sure to use heavy duty power cables for all battery and thruster connections including the
ones between the batteries and the series/parallel box. The minimum cable size to use is 70mm2
/ OOO or more if required by the length. See list in manual for the thruster you are installing.
The series/parallel switch box is splash proof but must be installed in a dry position so that it can
not become submerged in water.
Observe and follow the minimum battery capacity ratings described here. The smallest rating is
for the SE170TC and the largest for the SE210TC & SP240TC. Remember, these are minimum
ratings, bigger is better.
Always install main power switches in the main positive cables from each battery bank so that in
case of a failure or emergency, the power can be switched o. The boat owner / operator must be
informed of the location of these switches and instructed to shut them o when leaving the boat.
We also advice to install fuses at each battery as described in the wiring diagrams.