KE+ Electronic Engine Controls: Prices are Low – Don't be Slow!

How to Purchase a Complete KE4+ for Twin Engine Mechanical Throttle and Shift Boats

The KE4+ mechanical throttle and shift electronic engine control system. Configuring a KE4+ system for your mechanical throttle and shift boat is made simple with our system kits. We have base kits, which have the control head, control unit(s), and actuator(s). It also includes the harnesses you need for installation, except for your bus harness. We also have add-a-station kits, which include the control head and harnesses needed to install a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th station. They also do not include the bus harness.

  1. Twin-engine boats will use 1 of 3 base kits: KE451, KE452, and KE453.

  2. Next, determine which control head option is right for your boat and/or preference.

    1. If you have outboard engines, you will want a KE451 kit. The 51 in KE451 represents the NM1051-00 control head which has an integrated trim/tilt switch. If you do not want a lever with trim/tilt, you can move on to the next section.

      1. The kit can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke451-ke4-single-station-dual-engine-kit-chrome-w-tilt-trim-handle.html

    2. If you have inboard or I/O engines, you will want the KE452 or KE453. The KE452 has the NM1052-00 control head which features composite levers. The KE453 has the NM1053-00 control head which features stainless steel levers.

      1. The KE452 can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke452-ke4-single-station-dual-engine-kit-chrome-w-composite-handles.html

      2. The KE453 can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke453-ke4-single-station-dual-engine-kit-chrome-w-stainless-handles.html

  3. Our next step is to determine if you need an add-a-station kit, and if so how many.

    1. If you have one station, you will only need the base kit listed above. Please move on to the next section.

    2. If you have two, three, or four stations. You will need to purchase one add-a-station kit per station.

    3. The add-a-station kits will correlate with your base kit but will feature an “A” in the part number.

      1. KE451A kit can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke4-ke451a-add-a-station-kit-dual-engine-chrome-control-head-with-push-to-tilt-button-composite-handles.html

      2. KE452A kit can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke4-ke452a-add-a-station-kit-dual-engine-chrome-control-head-without-ptt-composite-handles.html

      3. KE453A kit can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/nhk-mec-ke4-ke453a-add-a-station-kit-dual-engine-chrome-control-head-stainless-handles.html

  4. Our final step is to determine which bus harness(es) you need.

    1. For twin-engine base system kits, you will need two harness length measurements.

      1. Please measure the distance from the control head to the control unit. (Control units are typically mounted in the engine room but placement will vary from boat to boat. Please review the manual for the layout and more info.)

      2. Please measure the distance between the control units.

    2. For twin engine add a station kits, you will only need one harness length measurement.

      1. Please measure the distance between both control heads.

    3. Purchasing the bus harnesses:

      1. Please determine how many harnesses you need and the lengths in meters.

      2. You can purchase the bus harnesses here (not all lengths are available, the harnesses come in multiples of 2 meters. Please round up if you need a harness that is not available. For example, if you need a 7m harness, please purchase an 8m harness instead): https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/boat-engine-controls/nhk-mec-ke-engine-control-systems-and-parts/nhk-mec-ke-bus-harnesses/

      3. Lengths are represented in the part number. You should purchase a harness with part number NM0649-XX. Where XX = the length in meters. For example, you will need a 10m harness between control units. The part number for that harness is NM0649-10.

  5. The parts not included in the kits which vary from boat to boat are but are not limited to:

    1. Push-pull cables: we recommend purchasing the push-pull cables after you install the actuators.

      1. Those can be purchased here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/boat-engine-controls/seastar-solutions-mechanical-controls-and-cables/control-cable-assembly/tfxtreme-3300-control-cables/

    2. Breakers: each system requires two breakers per engine. If you do not have breakers, you can purchase NHK MEC breakers here:

      1. 20 AMP breaker: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/breaker-20-amp-nj0514-00.html

      2. 10 AMP breaker: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/circuit-breaker-10a-nj0595-00.html

    3. Handheld remotes: As an option, you can add a wired handheld remote to your system which can be found here: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/control-kit-hand-held-twin-nm0906-00.html

    4. When you purchase a kit, it will include a buzzer at the control head. Please inform Seatech Marine Products if you have 12v or 24v DC power. If you forget this step, we will probably ask you which voltage you have to ensure the correct buzzer is sent with the kits. 

    5. Miscellaneous installation items: These will vary from boat to boat and are not included in the kits. Please contact Seatech Marine Products for any additional items.

For triple and quad engine boats we currently do not have kits available. You may use the component chart in the manual to individually purchase components. Or you can contact Seatech Marine Products directly for assistance in purchasing a system: https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/contact.html