Power cable extension
If you need to extend the length of the power cable supplied with your
product, ensure you observe the following advice:
• The power cable for each unit in your system should be run as a separate,
single length of 2-wire cable from the unit to the vessel's battery or
distribution panel.
• Ensure that the extension cable is of a sufficient gauge for the supply
voltage and the total load of the device and the length of the cable run.
Refer to the following table for typical
minimum
power cable wire gauges.
Cable length in meters
(feet)
Wire gauge in AWG
(mm
2
) for 12 V supply
Wire gauge in AWG
(mm
2
) for 24 V supply
<8 (<25)
16 (1.31 mm
2
)
18 (0.82 mm
2
)
16 (50)
14 (2.08 mm
2
)
18 (0.82 mm
2
)
24 (75)
12 (3.31 mm
2
)
16 (1.31 mm
2
)
>32 (>100)
10 (5.26 mm
2
)
16 (1.31 mm
2
)
Important:
Be aware that some products in your system (such as sonar modules)
can create voltage peaks at certain times, which may impact the voltage
available to other products during the peaks.
Important:
To ensure power cables (including any extension) are of a
sufficient gauge, ensure that there is a continuous
minimum
voltage of
10.8 V dc
at the end of the cable where it enters the product’s power
connector, even with a fully flat battery at 11 V dc. (Do not assume that a
flat battery is at 0 V dc. Due to the discharge profile and internal chemistry
of batteries, the current drops much faster than the voltage. A “fully flat”
battery still shows a positive voltage, even if it doesn’t have enough current
to power your device.)
Grounding
Ensure that you observe any additional grounding advice provided in the
product’s documentation.
More information
It is recommended that best practice is observed in all vessel electrical
installations, as detailed in the following standards:
• BMEA Code of Practice for Electrical and Electronic Installations in Boats
• NMEA 0400 Installation Standard
• ABYC E-11 AC & DC Electrical Systems on Boats
• ABYC A-31 Battery chargers and Inverters
• ABYC TE-4 Lightning Protection
Warning: Product grounding
Before applying power to this product, ensure it has been
correctly grounded, in accordance with the instructions
provided.
Warning: Positive ground systems
Do not connect this unit to a system which has positive
grounding.
5.7 Grounding connection
The YachtSense ™ Link unit includes a dedicated grounding point, which
MUST be connected as described below.
Important:
Connect the product’s grounding point to your vessel’s common RF
ground.
On vessels without an RF ground system
, connect the product’s
grounding point directly to the vessel’s negative battery terminal. This
dedicated grounding point is NOT an optional connection.
The vessel’s dc power system should be either:
• Negative grounded (“bonded”), with the negative battery terminal
connected to the vessel's RF ground.
• Floating, with neither battery terminal connected to the vessel's ground.
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