DOMETIC SHX7606 Mechanical Marine Steering Installation Guide
- June 15, 2024
- Dometic
Table of Contents
DOMETIC SHX7606 Mechanical Marine Steering Installation Guide
About this Book
This book contains:
- the installation instructions for the Xtreme™ NFB™ helm and steering system. Helm part number SHX7606 (patents pending). Xtreme™ NFB™ or No Feed Back helms have a clutch mechanism to prevent engine torque at the steering wheel. This reduces operator fatigue by eliminating the constant fighting of the wheel. Instructions for installing steering cables are also included.
- In addition to this kit the following components are required for a complete system:
- Bezel kit SBX76061 (90°)
- SSCX64xx cable (where xx is length in feet)
- Engine connection kit (refer to Dometic SeaStar catalog)
- Steering wheel (refer to Dometic SeaStar catalog; maximum wheel diameter 16”, maximum wheel dish 5”)
NOTICE!
Installer: these instructions contain important safety information and must be forwarded to the boat owner.
©2023 Dometic
All Rights Reserved. This document, subject matter and all information herein is the sole, exclusive and confidential property of Dometic and shall not be disclosed, copied, reproduced or used in whole or in part for any purpose other than as specifically authorized in writing by Dometic.
All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based on the latest information available at the time of publishing. The illustrations used in this manual are intended as representative reference views only. Moreover, because of our continuous product improvement policy, we may modify information, illustrations and/or specifications to explain and/ or exemplify a product, service or maintenance improvement. We reserve the right to make any change at any time without notice.
is a registered trademark of the American Boat & Yacht Council (http://www.abycinc.org)
is a registered trademark of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (http://www.nmma.org)
Xtreme and SeaStar are trademarks of Dometic.
Loctite is a trademark of Henkel Corporation.
Important Safety Information
Safe operation of the Xtreme™ NFB™ helm and steering system depends on proper installation and maintenance of the system, as well as the operator’s safe judgment, boating knowledge, and expertise.
The installer and operator must read and understand the safety requirements in this section before installing or using the steering system. If you have any questions about safe installation or operation of this system, contact Dometic Marine. Please don’t guess.
Explanation of symbols
The symbols below are used throughout this publication to alert you to potential hazards involved with the operation and installation of this product. Observe these warnings and notices carefully. The safety alerts alone cannot eliminate hazards; strict compliance with any special instructions during installation, operation, and maintenance, along with common sense operation, are important measures to prevent hazardous situations.
DANGER!
Safety instruction: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING!
Safety instruction: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION!
Safety instruction: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE!
Indicates a situation that, if not avoided, can result in property damage.
NOTE
Supplementary information for operating the product.
Safe operation
WARNING!
The safety information below is intended to inform you of hazards that may be
present when operating a boat equipped with Dometic controls and steering.
Read and understand this information.
General
- Read and understand this manual and any other documentation provided with your steering system.
- Know and obey all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations that govern boating in your area. Dometic recommends all boat operators take a boating safety course.
- Never operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Before every use
- Verify immediate steering response when turning steering wheel.
- Check for binding, loose, worn or damaged components. If found, repair or replace.
- Check steering cable for stiffness, cracks, or other damage. If found, replace steering cable.
- Periodically lubricate cable output ram and engine tilt tube with a waterproof marine grease.
WARNING!
Do not operate the boat if any component is not in proper working order. It
may result in a loss of steering control, which could lead to a collision
and/or ejection from the boat, causing property damage, personal injury,
and/or death.
During use
- Wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).
- Attach the engine shut-off lanyard to your PFD.
- Do not allow anyone not familiar with the controls (steering, shift/throttle etc.) to operate the boat.
After use
- Rinse the Xtreme™ steering system thoroughly, using only fresh, clean water.
- Do not use acetone, or cleaners containing ammonia, acids, or any other corrosive ingredients, on any steering components.
- Some products formulated for cleaning fiberglass hulls are known to aggressively corrode stainless steel shafts. If using a hull cleaner, avoid overspray on the Xtreme™ steering system. Rinse off any overspray immediately with fresh, clean water.
Safety considerations for installers
Before installation
- Read this installation manual and understand any other manual(s) supplied with the system.
- Ensure you have all the required components on hand before you start.
- Do not use a wheel-mounted trim switch with coiled cord. The cord can wrap around the steering wheel shaft and inhibit steering.
During installation
- Install components as instructed in the installation manual. Some component parts and kits may contain additional installation instructions – refer also to those instructions.
- Do not substitute any component of the system without written authorization from Dometic. Dometic parts are rigorously engineered and tested to ensure system integrity. Substitution of components may compromise safety, performance, and reliability.
- All steering components including the Xtreme™ steering system must be compatible with, and rated for, the engine installed on the boat.
- To avoid excessive steering loads, and to get the best steering performance, the outboard motor, tilt position or trim tabs must be adjusted as instructed in the motor manufacturer’s operation manual.
- Do not attach any electric ground wires to the helm. This will result in an electrolytic reaction to the steering system that may result in system failure or greatly reduced service life.
- If an instruction is unclear, contradictory, or you are otherwise unsure how to proceed, do not guess. Contact Dometic Marine technical support at ts.mechanical@dometic.com.
After installation
- Perform the system inspection checks described in the installation manual.
- Correct any interference issues before handing the boat to the owner.
- If steering cable is stiff in operation, it is unsafe to use and must be replaced immediately.
- Check steering cable for stiffness, cracks, or other damage. If found, replace steering cable.
- Helms must not be disassembled for any reason.
WARNING!
Failure to comply with Dometic instructions may result in loss of steering
control, which could lead to a collision and/or ejection from the boat,
causing property damage, personal injury, and/or death.
DANGER!
If steering cable is stiff in operation, it is unsafe to use and must be
replaced immediately.
WARNING!
Before starting installation read these instructions and engine makers
instructions thoroughly. Failure to follow either of these instructions or
incorrect assembly can result in loss of control and cause property damage,
injury, or death.
WARNING!
Do not substitute parts from other manufacturers, they may cause a safety
hazard for which Dometic cannot accept responsibility. Use only Dometic SSCX64
Xtreme™ steering cable with this helm.
WARNING!
To avoid excessive steering loads, and to get the best steering performance,
the outboard motor or trim tabs and tilt position must be adjusted as
instructed in the motor manufacturers operation manual. Failure to do so can
effect the performance of the boat and its safe operation which may cause
property damage, injury, or death.
WARNING!
Do not attach any electrical ground wires to the helm. This would result in an
electrolytic reaction to the steering system that may result in system failure
or greatly reduced service life.
WARNING!
Helms must not be disassembled for any reason. Failure to reassemble correctly
may lead to total failure of the system, which could result in property
damage, injury, or death.
NOTICE!
When replacing an existing steering system it is recommended that you stay
with the style (rotary or rack) the boat manufacturer installed. Never change
your steering from a dual cable to a single cable system, as this could cause
an unsafe boating condition.
NOTICE!
Helms and cable assemblies are supplied lubricated ready for installation, do
not add any lubricant to either assembly. Use of other lubricants can cause
damage to the steering cable, resulting in the cable seizing or premature
wear. Keep the cable and drive assembly clean during installation. Dirt will
damage the system and cause premature wear. Do not take the plastic sleeve off
the end of the cable until you are ready to install it into the helm. This
notice does not include the engine output ram end of the cable.
System Installation
Preparation for installation
Before the steering cable can be installed, the helm, bezel, and steering wheel must be fully installed as shown in the bezel kit instructions.
Steering cable routing
The helm assembly can be mounted for either port or starboard cable routing. Steering cables, if possible, should be routed to the starboard side of the boat in order to balance engine torque. When routing the steering cable, select a path with the minimum number of bends, making the bends as large as possible.
NOTICE!
Do not make bends of less than 8” radius
Sharp or frequent bends will result in hard steering and premature cable wear. When it is necessary to pass through a bulkhead, a 1-1/2” diameter hole is required. Cable(s) should be loosely clamped or tied for support at regular intervals.
CAUTION!
Cables must not be bundled together with electrical wiring. Cables must not
rest on sharp edges which can cause chafing.
Helm installation
Refer to Bezel Kit (SBX76061) instructions.
Steering cable installation
Before the steering cable is installed the steering wheel should be positioned as shown in figure 2-1, so that it is in the correct orientation when the installation is completed.
Step 1
Remove the pin from the cable entry spigot of the helm. Do not remove the tag
from the pin. The back of the helm is marked for typical installation.
Step 2
Remove the protective sleeve from the cable end, making sure that no dirt gets
on the lubricated cable end. Feed the cable into the upper helm spigot until
it contacts the internal gears.
Then turn steering wheel counter clockwise to draw the cable fully into the helm. Continue turning the wheel after the cable end enters the helm spigot, you will feel some pressure then hear a click. Keep turning past that point until you can not turn any further.
That click you heard was the locking mechanism engaging with the cable end. Turn the steering wheel fully in the opposite direction until you can not turn any further, and check that the cable end fitting is retained inside the entry spigot.
Step 3
Replace the pin as shown in figure 2-3, making sure that it is fully seated.
Do not remove tag from pin. This tag must be left in place for vessel safety
during future steering maintenance.
Step 4
Turn the steering wheel fully to both extremes of rotation and check that the
cable fitting is retained in the entry spigot.
Step 5
Feed spent travel tube (item 2, figure 2-2) over the exposed cable end until
you hear it click into place in the helm spigot. Then insert pin as shown in
figure 2-2 until it is fully seated.
-
Pictured in bezel kit instructions. Item No. Description Qty 1 Helm 1 2 Spent Travel Tube 1 3 1/4 x 3/4” Long Hex. Bolt 3 4 Pin 2
Then turn steering wheel counter clockwise to draw the cable fully into the helm. Continue turning the wheel after the cable end enters the helm spigot, you will feel some pressure then hear a click. Keep turning past that point until you can not turn any further.
That click you heard was the locking mechanism engaging with the cable end. Turn the steering wheel fully in the opposite direction until you can not turn any further, and check that the cable end fitting is retained inside the entry spigot.
Step 3
Replace the pin as shown in figure 2-3, making sure that it is fully seated.
Do not remove tag from pin. This tag must be left in place for vessel safety
during future steering maintenance.
Step 4
Turn the steering wheel fully to both extremes of rotation and check that the
cable fitting is retained in the entry spigot.
Step 5
Feed spent travel tube (item 2, figure 2-2) over the exposed cable end until
you hear it click into place in the helm spigot. Then insert pin as shown in
figure 2-2 until it is fully seated.
Step 6
Rotate the steering wheel several times from stop to stop, and watch the
movement of the steering cable output ram. On starboard routed cables, turning
the steering wheel clockwise should cause the ram to extend. On port routed
cables, turning the steering wheel clockwise should cause the ram to retract.
Connection to engine
For engine-mounted steering systems, slide the output ram through the engine support tube. Thread the cable coupler nut fully onto the support tube.
For a boat-mounted steering system, attach the cable to the boat and engine in accordance with the instructions furnished with the connection kit.
CAUTION!
The output ram end of the steering cable should be lubricated with a good
quality waterproof marine grease before being inserted into the support tube.
NOTICE!
The coupler nut has a locking ring in the threads. Make sure the nut is drawn up fully and its internal plastic locking ring is engaged. If you do not tighten this nut fully there will be excessive play in the steering system. Connect the cable output ram to the engine tiller arm as shown in the instructions packed with the connection kit.
CAUTION!
Ensure that the cable output end is not bent when installing into the engine.
If necessary remove the engine from the boat.
Operation and maintenance notes
CAUTION!
It is possible to over trim the engine and increase the steering torque to the point that the steering wheel cannot be turned, even though the torque is not felt at the wheel. This may give the impression that the steering is ‘locked’. This condition can occur more when jack plates are used to raise the engine on the transom, and can only be overcome by reducing the boat speed or engine trim out position. Until you are completely familiar with the boat and the effects of power trim, make all adjustments of trim with extreme caution.
-
After a few hours of operation and at frequent intervals thereafter, check all fasteners and the complete steering system for security and integrity.
DANGER!
Loosening or loss of one or more fasteners may cause failure of the steering system, resulting in loss of steering control and could cause property damage, injury, or death. -
Keep all moving parts free from build-up of salt and other foreign material. This will affect their operation and create steering problems. Periodically remove the cable, clean support tube and telescopic end of cable thoroughly and lubricate with a waterproof marine grease.
-
Periodically inspect for corrosion. Any parts affected by corrosion must be replaced. When replacing hardware, self-locking hardware as originally supplied must be used.
-
Periodically inspect steering cable for cracks or other damage. If any is found the cable must be replaced.
DANGER!
If steering cable is stiff in operation, it is unsafe to use and must be
replaced immediately.
DANGER!
Do not cover cracks with tape or other sealants, this will create a hazard in
which the cable can fail suddenly without warning, resulting in property
damage, injury, or death.
NOTICE!
Boat builder and boat dealer, please supply these installation instructions
and owner’s manual with the delivery of boat. Boat owner keep these
instructions with your boat for future reference. Boat owner consult with your
boat builder, boat dealer, or Dometic if you have any questions regarding
these instructions.
Mounting Template
Helm — SHX7606
NOTICE!
If this template has been downloaded electronically or copied from another
document, please verify all template dimensions prior to cutting. Print/copy
reproductions may be scaled differently.
Please scan this QR code and watch our latest Boating Safety video.
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References
- Outdoor Adventure Starts Here | This Way Out | Dometic USA
- Contact Us | Support for You | Dometic USA
- Find a Dealer | Dometic USA
- Service locator | Dometic USA
- American Boat and Yacht Council
- National Marine Manufacturers Association | NMMA
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