low charge needed from the alternator) and the inverter/charger on float, the inverter chassis ground has 12 amps of current going through it, therefore completing the loop. Not only was it charging slowly, but it is fortunate that the 10AWG wire did not melt and burn.
#Abyc positive ground isolator full#
To add to that, the 8AWG chassis ground joined the inverter to the inverter battery negative giving a full return path – one that was over 40 feet of mostly 10AWG – for a 100amp alternator. Also, the ground bus was connected to the DC negative as per ABYC requirements. The 10AWG AC green ground wire joined the inverter to the ground bus near the AC panel. After a few minutes of thought and an understanding of the entire system, we found the return path. Even though the alternator positive was connected to the inverter battery bank, there was NO negative return from the inverter battery bank to the engine.Īt first glance, it appears the inverter bank batteries would never charge under engine power because there is no return path for the alternator. The negative from the inverter bank was NOT tied back to the negative from the port or starboard engine batteries. Problem: The new inverter batter bank was incorrectly wired as a floating ground. However, there is a bigger problem in this scenario. None of the house loads got moved over (they were left on the engine batteries), and the chassis ground is too small for current standards. They moved the port alternator output to the inverter battery and added an ACR combiner between the inverter and port engine battery. Someone had taken a dual battery setup (port / starboard) and added a third battery bank for an inverter. Boats built to American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standards also have GFCI outlets installed in the boats heads, galleys and exterior spaces.
Situation: We recently came across this setup while working on a client’s boat. Refresher #2: On boats, all grounds including DC, AC, RF, Bonding, etc. This chassis ground is not supposed to carry current. This chassis ground is a backup of sorts in a situation where the primary return path isn’t good or available. Refresher #1: Most AC devices have a safety ground, sometimes called a chassis ground.
Knowing about these situations is important so you can maintain your boat properly and also for your personal safety. Follow ABYC and BIA recommendations for circuit breaker protection and. In particular, let us examine the chassis ground connection. Connect auxiliary loads between ground and the positive post of auxiliary battery. This article demonstrates the risks of doing DC wiring aboard a boat without understanding how the whole DC and AC electrical system work together. Victron Energy galvanic isolator consists internally of two.
These currents can cause corrosion to the boat’s underwater metals, like the hull, propeller, shaft and so on. It blocks low voltage DC currents that enter your boat via the shore power earth wire. Your Chassis Ground Connection: NOT Your Negative Connection Victron Energy galvanic isolator prevents electrolytic corrosion.
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