I have been away for awhile so haven't read this group in some time.
Things haven't changed much. Still entertaining though.

Seems like lots of hand waving and chest thumping going on in this
thread.

I suppose I can stir the pot a little too.

The important thing you want to watch for in the bonding system of all
items on the boat is that it should not carry any current anywhere. If
it does then there can be a slight difference in voltage between
grounded items and that will cause electrolysis of underwater items.

This is where a single point connection between different grounds is
important. I.e. bonding system, DC ground and AC ground. If all the
underwater items are bonded together and only one point from that goes
to the other grounds it will help eliminate the chances of there being
any current through various points on the bonding system.
And yes it is important for the AC system to be grounded at this point
also. All metal items on the boat that have power to them should have
a common ground to prevent shock in case of a fault in some item.

While AC current does not cause electrolysis of underwater components,
any DC current that may be carried on the AC line will.

Some boats are wired with isolated systems to try and prevent
electrolysis in that way. While some are successful most are not as it
is almost impossible to maintain a system like that unless on a very
small boat.

One of the hand wavers made a comment about GFCI breakers not being
effective without a ground. That is far from the truth as a GFCI does
not depend on ground to operate. It looks to see if the the supply and
return currents are equal between the hot and neutral lines feeding
it. If they are not it will trip and open the circuit. If the currents
are not equal in both wires that means that the current has found an
alternate path other than the intended return wire.

There were also some kind of silly comments made about not grounding
the SSB antenna and signals bouncing off a counterpoise and ground and
a counterpoise doubling the signal??

It is entertaining if nothing else.

Regards
Gary



On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:56:33 -0500, Marc wrote:

Yes, thanks to all , especially markvictor. Very lucid, concise and
unambiguaous.





On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 21:06:22 -0800, "Lynn Coffelt"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
. ..
On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 20:03:00 GMT, Me wrote:

Me just an "Old Fart" in semi-retirment........

=====================================

And all the time I was thinking you were "Bruce in Alaska".

And that, Marc, I hope answers the questions you posed to this experienced
group!

Old Chief Lynn