Description
KE Controls by NHK MEC
U.S. Sales & Support — Seatech Marine Products
KE551 Twin-Engine Electronic Control Kit — Chrome, Composite Trim/Tilt Levers
KE5+ · electronic shift and electronic throttle
Obsolete: Please see KE5XG KE561
The NHK MEC KE551 is a KE5+ electronic marine engine-control base kit for two engines and one helm station, with electronic shift and electronic throttle connections. The chrome control head has composite trim/tilt levers.
- Product type: Single-station base kit
- Engine configuration: two engines; electronic shift and electronic throttle
- Lever style: composite trim/tilt; chrome control head
- Order separately: Two bus-harness sections and any installation-specific engine-interface parts
Not sure which KE system fits your boat? Get help from our team.
Planning a replacement or upgrade?
Use the replacement link and the applicable manuals to compare the current system with the installed equipment. Matching engine count alone does not establish that control heads, control units or harnesses interchange between generations.
Legacy kit components
- 1 × NM1051-00 — Twin-Engine KE+ Control Head - Chrome - Composite Levers with Trim/Tilt
- 2 × NM2406-00 — Control Unit 12/24v
- 2 × NM0640-10 — Shift Harness - 10 Meter
- 2 × NM0666-10 — Throttle Harness - 10 Meter
- 1 × NM0647-09 — KE+/XG T-Harness (R/C-1) with Terminator
- 1 × NM0647-12 — KE+/XG T-Harness (Port) with Terminator
- 1 × NM0647-13 — KE+/XG T-Harness (STBD)
- 1 × NJ0772-00 — Trim Circuit Harness - KE+/XG
- 4 × NM0414-28 — Power Harness, 5 m
- 1 × control-head buzzer: NJ0251-00 for 12 V or NJ0515-00 for 24 V
Required separately and installation planning
- NM0649 bus harnesses — select two sections for the standard twin-engine, single-station layout. Confirm each route length against the applicable wiring diagram. Bus, power and engine-interface harnesses have different roles.
- Match the electronic shift and throttle output settings and engine-side connections to the engine and gearbox. This electronic/electronic configuration does not use a mechanical shift/throttle actuator or require the two push-pull cables used by KE4XG.
- Configure the system using the control-unit settings described in the applicable legacy manual. Do not apply KE-XG programming instructions to a different generation.
- The listed power harnesses are 5m. Optional 10m power harnesses can be discussed when requesting the complete system quote.
Request complete system pricing to include the required harnesses, cables and other installation parts.
Station expansion and setup options
KE5+ supports up to four helm control heads plus one optional wired handheld station with the appropriate components.
- KE551A — matching additional-station kit
- NM0906-00 — optional wired twin-engine handheld remote; match the socket harness and system generation.
Planning a wireless docking remote? Ask Seatech to confirm the remote model, compatible control-system interface and additional hardware before ordering.
Dimensions and reference images

Downloads and Resources
KE5+ Installation and Operation Manual
Use the manual for the exact system or component being installed.
Download PDF »KE551 product questions
Which engine connections does KE551 use?
KE551 is the twin-engine KE5+ configuration for electronic shift and electronic throttle. Confirm the engine and gearbox interfaces against the manual before installation.
Is the bus harness included in KE551?
No. The CANbus harness is ordered separately for the planned route. Included power and engine-interface harnesses do not replace the bus harness.
What is different about KE551 and KE551A?
KE551 is the base kit. The matching additional-station kit adds another helm to a compatible base installation and does not duplicate the base control unit.
KE5+ technical specifications
- Supply voltage: 9-31 V DC
- Shift output: Coupled to the supply voltage; forward, reverse and neutral connections; 9 A maximum
- Throttle current output: 4-20 mA
- Throttle voltage output: 0.2-4.5 V
- Throttle PWM output: 6-94% duty cycle at 500 Hz
- Throttle CAN output: SAE J1939
- Idle-validation switch: Normally closed / normally open; 24 V, 2 A maximum
Why choose Seatech for KE Controls?
Get help matching the system to your engine and gearbox, planning the harnesses and cables, and finding replacement parts.
Request a system quote or contact Seatech Marine Products for parts selection and shipping information.
Related parts and support
- NHK MEC KE561 KE5XG Single Station Dual Engine Kit - Chrome w/ Tilt & Trim Handles
- NM0649-xx
- How to Purchase a Complete KE5+ Twin Engine System
- How to Determine Which KE+ Series is Right for your Boat
- Contact Seatech Marine Products
- Ask about stock availability
Store information
- No Sales Tax on Purchases Outside of California
- FREE Ground Shipping to the Contiguous 48 States
- Buy Now Pay Later with Affirm or PayPal Pay Later
Additional Information
Return Policy for NHK MEC Parts & Systems: |
All sales of NHK MEC components are final, with no returns, refunds, or exchanges accepted. Each component is rigorously inspected for quality before shipping. It is the customer's responsibility to verify compatibility prior to purchase. |