ComNav 1500 - Distribution Unit Installation; Location and Wire Thickness Selection; Distribution Unit Installation Steps

ComNav 1500 / 1510 Autopilot - 7 -
2.2 Distribution Unit 1500 & 1510
Location
The Distribution Unit must be mounted on a dry, flat and vertical surface below
deck, at least 500 mm (20") from radio receiving equipment. Since all wiring
originates at the Distribution Unit, it should be centrally located to minimize lengths
of wiring. It is most important to minimize the runs of power and motor leads since
voltage drop in these cables will reduce steering capacity.
Installation
Note: The 1500 and 1510 Autopilots are designed for different applications:
The 1500 is designed as a Stand Alone System.
The 1510 is designed to work as part of a Network System, by connecting it to the
NX2 Network.
Place the adhesive drill template provided in the desired location for the appropriate
Distribution Unit and drill accordingly. (Reference the following pages). Remove the
template. To mount the Distribution Unit, remove the cover screws. The 4 inner
mounting holes are now exposed. Mount the Distribution Unit with 4 screws (not
supplied).
Note for the 1500 Distribution Box: If any waterproof cable glands do not have
cables inserted, install the short rubber plug provided in order to maintain water
tightness. If many options are connected and not enough glands are available, use
a separate junction box and route the excess wires through one large cable in one
of the large glands.
Note for the Autopilot Instrument / NX2 Network connection. If you want to run
the NX2 Network instruments separate from the Autopilot, do not connect green
wire to (pin 1) to the left in Distribution Unit. Instead insulate the green wire.
Wire thickness - Important! Use the following table to determine wire thickness.
Total distance from battery to Distribution Unit and distance from Distribution Unit to
Pumpset must be used to determine the wire thickness from the table.
Cable Length Maximum
(m) (ft)
Wire Size
(mm
2
)
Wire Size
(AWG)
3102.5 14
516 4 12
7.5 25 6 10
12 40 8 8
Make sure, that the wire size between the battery and the point where you will connect
the wire to the Distribution Unit is big enough to secure power supply to all other
connected electrical units on board. If you are in doubt, ask your local technician.