Boat ground question
 

I am finishing up my bonding and suddenly have a brain freeze. I have #6
green wire tied to all the exterior metal, the fuel tanks, the chain plates,
keel etc. They all come back to a central post mounted on the engine
stringer and tied to the block from there. AC neutral and ground are
separate back to the shore power receptacle but the Prosine inverter has a
boat ground that automatically disconnects when on shore power. .

Now the question. The stock alternator (used for the starter bank only) is
grounded through the block so the negative side of the starting battery is
connected to boat ground but the big house alternator and all the house DC
circuits are currently isolated. Should I tie the negative side of that to
boat ground too?

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Boat ground question
 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
I am finishing up my bonding and suddenly have a brain freeze. I have #6
green wire tied to all the exterior metal, the fuel tanks, the chain plates,
keel etc. They all come back to a central post mounted on the engine
stringer and tied to the block from there. AC neutral and ground are
separate back to the shore power receptacle but the Prosine inverter has a
boat ground that automatically disconnects when on shore power. .

Now the question. The stock alternator (used for the starter bank only) is
grounded through the block so the negative side of the starting battery is
connected to boat ground but the big house alternator and all the house DC
circuits are currently isolated. Should I tie the negative side of that to
boat ground too?


Yes!

Your SSB in particular will benefit from a common DC boat ground.

Chuck

Boat ground question
 

Glenn,
Yes, all earth references must be connected to a common point. You should
keep in mind earth cable resonance where applicable and use braided cable in
those applications, especially your SSB.

I know this is a bit controversial, but I would not connect the shore safety
earth. Instead, you should substitute safety earth with your own. In doing
so, you would isolate other substation power users ground leaks from your
hull, as your boat earth will be superior to the earth at the distribution
transformer. I am really paranoid about this and use an isolation
transformer myself.
Steve

"chuck" wrote in message
k.net...
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
I am finishing up my bonding and suddenly have a brain freeze. I have #6
green wire tied to all the exterior metal, the fuel tanks, the chain
plates, keel etc. They all come back to a central post mounted on the
engine stringer and tied to the block from there. AC neutral and ground
are separate back to the shore power receptacle but the Prosine inverter
has a boat ground that automatically disconnects when on shore power. .

Now the question. The stock alternator (used for the starter bank only)
is grounded through the block so the negative side of the starting
battery is connected to boat ground but the big house alternator and all
the house DC circuits are currently isolated. Should I tie the negative
side of that to boat ground too?


Yes!

Your SSB in particular will benefit from a common DC boat ground.

Chuck