Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a marine drive having an electric motor powerhead, at least one marine battery, at least a first connection cable having a connector configured to removably connect to a drive port on a housing of the marine drive, and an interlock circuit. The interlock circuit is configured to provide a completed circuit when the at least one battery and the marine drive are connected via at least the first connection cable, wherein the interlock circuit is independent from a power circuit delivering power from the at least one marine battery to the marine drive. The at least one battery is configured to identify whether the interlock circuit is completed and to control an internal disconnect to connect to the power circuit when the interlock circuit is completed and to disconnect from the power circuit when the interlock circuit is opened.

Abstract: A power panel assembly for a marine vessel having a first battery, a second battery, and a load. The power panel assembly has a panel configured to be positioned within the marine vessel. A first switch is supported by the panel and operable to selectively turn off the first battery and the second battery together. A second switch is supported by the panel and operable to selectively turn off the first battery independently of the second battery. A third switch is supported by the panel and operable to selectively turn off the second battery independently of the first battery. An indicator is supported by the panel and operatively coupled to be in a first state when the first battery is on and in a second state when the first battery is off to thereby notify an operator whether the first battery is on.

Abstract: A low energy system for providing authentication for operating a marine. An authentication device receives a key input and outputs a signal when matching a predetermined criteria. The authentication device has sleep and wake states, consumes less power in the sleep state than the wake state, and is inoperable to output the signal in the sleep state. A switch is operably coupled to the authentication device and operable to wake the authentication device from the sleep state to the wake state thereof. The switch is operably coupled such that at least one device of the marine vessel is configured to receive the power from the power source without the power passing through the switch. The authentication device being in the sleep state before being woken by the switch conserves the power from the power source.

Abstract: A pair of connectors for electric marine devices is disclosed. The first connector comprises a first housing, a plug provided within the first housing, a sleeve surrounding the first housing, and an asymmetrical key. The second connector comprises a second housing, a receptacle located within the second housing, and an asymmetrical keyway. The first housing of the first connector is configured to receive the receptacle of the second connector via an open first end of the first housing. A gap between an outer surface of the first housing and the sleeve is configured to receive the second housing of the second connector. The keyway of the second connector is configured to receive the key of the first connector.

Abstract: A system configured for controlling a trim position of a trimmable drive unit with respect to a marine vessel. The system includes a trim actuator coupled to the trimmable drive unit and configured to rotate the trimmable drive unit about a horizontal trim axis, at least one obstruction sensor configured to sense obstructions proximate the trimmable drive unit, and a controller operably coupled to the trim actuator and the at least one obstruction sensor. The controller is configured to operate the trim actuator to rotate the trimmable drive unit about the horizontal trim axis, receive a signal from the at least one obstruction sensor indicating an obstruction within a predetermined threshold distance of the trimmable drive unit, and perform a mitigation operation to prevent the trimmable drive unit from impacting the obstruction.

Abstract: A system and method for deterring the theft of a marine battery pack used to power a marine propulsion system, such as an outboard motor. The marine battery pack includes an internal communication system that allows the battery pack to communicate with an authentication device. The battery pack communicates an authentication request to the authentication device. If the battery pack is associated with the authentication device, a confirmation is communicated to the marine battery pack and the marine battery pack operates in a normal manner. If confirmation is not received from an authentication device, the operation of the marine battery pack is modified from the normal condition. The modification of the operation of the battery pack renders the battery pack unusable to deter theft. Each battery pack may be associated with more than one authentication device and each authentication device may be associated with more than one battery pack.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a marine drive having an electric motor powerhead, at least one marine battery, at least a first connection cable having a connector configured to removably connect to a drive port on a housing of the marine drive, and an interlock circuit. The interlock circuit is configured to provide a completed circuit when the at least one battery and the marine drive are connected via at least the first connection cable, wherein the interlock circuit is independent from a power circuit delivering power from the at least one marine battery to the marine drive. The at least one battery is configured to identify whether the interlock circuit is completed and to control an internal disconnect to connect to the power circuit when the interlock circuit is completed and to disconnect from the power circuit when the interlock circuit is opened.

Abstract: A pair of connectors for electric marine devices is disclosed. The first connector comprises a first housing, a plug provided within the first housing, a sleeve surrounding the first housing, and an asymmetrical key. The second connector comprises a second housing, a receptacle located within the second housing, and an asymmetrical keyway. The first housing of the first connector is configured to receive the receptacle of the second connector via an open first end of the first housing. A gap between an outer surface of the first housing and the sleeve is configured to receive the second housing of the second connector. The keyway of the second connector is configured to receive the key of the first connector.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a marine drive having an electric motor powerhead, at least two marine batteries, each with a maximum operating voltage at or below 60 volts, and a switch box. The switch box is configured to be removably connected to the marine drive and to each of the at least two marine batteries so as to electrically connect each of the at least two marine batteries in parallel to power the marine drive.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a marine propulsion device, a plurality of power storage devices, and a charge distribution circuit. The marine propulsion device includes an engine and an alternator driven by the engine to generate a charge current. The plurality of power storage devices includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device, wherein each power storage device is configured to receive current from the alternator. The charge distribution circuit is positioned between the alternator and the plurality of power storage devices and includes an isolator configured to isolate the first power storage device from the second power storage device, a charge sensor configured to sense a charge level of the first power storage device, and a relay configured to connect and disconnect the second power storage device to/from the alternator based on the sensed charge level.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel has a first marine propulsion device coupled to the marine vessel and a second marine propulsion device coupled to the marine vessel. The first marine propulsion device has a first engine controlled by a first electronic control module. The second marine propulsion device has a second engine controlled by a second electronic control module. In response to the first marine propulsion device being keyed ON, the second electronic control module of the second marine propulsion device is turned ON.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a marine propulsion device, a plurality of power storage devices, and a charge distribution circuit. The marine propulsion device includes an engine and an alternator driven by the engine to generate a charge current. The plurality of power storage devices includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device, wherein each power storage device is configured to receive current from the alternator. The charge distribution circuit is positioned between the alternator and the plurality of power storage devices and includes an isolator configured to isolate the first power storage device from the second power storage device, a charge sensor configured to sense a charge level of the first power storage device, and a relay configured to connect and disconnect the second power storage device to/from the alternator based on the sensed charge level.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a first marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a first steering axis and a first tilt-trim axis and a second marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a second steering axis and a second tilt-trim axis. A first control module controls operation of the first marine propulsion device, and a second control module controls operation of the second marine propulsion device. In response to one of the first and second marine propulsion devices being commanded to rotate about at least one of its respective first or second steering axis and its respective first or second tilt-trim axis, the respective first or second control module of the other of the first and second marine propulsion devices is turned ON.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of marine drives on a multi-hull marine vessel includes determining, based on steering information, that the multi-hull marine vessel is entering a turn and then receiving a running trim position for each marine drive. A trim position of at least a portion of the plurality of marine drives is then adjusted from each respective running trim position so as to induce roll of the multi-hull marine vessel during the turn.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of marine drives on a multi-hull marine vessel includes determining, based on steering information, that the multi-hull marine vessel is entering a turn and then receiving a running trim position for each marine drive. A trim position of at least a portion of the plurality of marine drives is then adjusted from each respective running trim position so as to induce roll of the multi-hull marine vessel during the turn.

Abstract: A system for measuring angular misalignment between marine propulsion devices. The system includes first and second members with mounting ends and distal ends. Attachment features are positioned at the mounting ends to attach the members to first and second propulsion shafts of the marine propulsion devices. Emitters configured to emit light are coupled to the first and second members. When the first and second member are attached to the propulsion shafts, a first emitter emits the light towards a target on the second member and a second emitter emits the light towards a target on the first member. The angular misalignment between the propulsion shafts is measurable based on a first offset between the target and where the light from the first emitter shines on the second member, and based on a second offset between the target and where the light from the second emitter shines on the first member.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire control system for steering a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel that is manually rotatable and a steering actuator that causes the propulsion device to steer based upon rotation of the steering wheel. The system further includes a resistance device that applies a resistance force against rotation of the steering wheel, and a controller that controls the resistance device to vary the resistance force based on at least one sensed condition of the system.