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Cougarnewbie's avatar
Cougarnewbie
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013

grounding new 12v branch circuit

My 12v dist. panel has a fused branch circuit that is not used. I would like to add a few small lights from that lead. My question is, what is the proper, safe way to ground it?. ...Hot wire to the switch, then to the lamps. Mounted on wood the lamps need a ground. Where do I connect the ground? I'm thinking a grounding bus for 12v in the converter, but I can't find it.

To clarify, I have an 06 Cougar 5er. The converter is a WFCO 8955. I want to install small lights in a large dark pantry. My converter has a neutral bus and a grounding bus on the A C side. I don't think I want to ground 12v to the 120 A C side of the box. I think Burbman had it right. I will check behind the converter when I get home.Seems like a common converter, so I will post what I find.
Thanks everyone
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2013
    All of the above...Yes, there is a negative bus in the converter, but it connects to the frame and uses that as the path of (-) on the battery. So there is nothing wrong with grounding to the frame IF you can fine frame to ground to...in a stick/tin or fiberglas RV the frame only runs around the bottom...

    Depends on where you are planning to install the lights. If inside then plan on running a 2-wire set from the converter so you have a return path for ground. If for example you were adding a light under the RV for the steps, you could could ground right to the frame.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Most of the negative wires in the house are returned to the power distribution box (the box that contains the power distribution panel), however my converter is grounded to the frame.

    I can't think of any electrical reason for this, and so I think the negatives are returned to the power distribution box because there is no metal frame in the house, all plastic and wood.
  • Dusty_R's avatar
    Dusty_R
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    MrWizard wrote:
    all 12vdc circuits in the RV
    have 2 wires
    both the positive and the negative

    rv house circuits, do NOT use the frame grounding method that Vehicles use

    insde the converter you will find a NEGATIVE bus
    it will NOT be grounded to the RV frame
    yes the battery is, but the 12v circuits are wired with 2 wires from the converter/fuse panel

    its possible you will find all the Negatives, fastened/connected together inside or behind the converter

    Somewhere that NEGATIVE is fasten/hooked to the battery, most likely through the frame, or none of the 12 volt would work.

    Dusty
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Sep 30, 2013
    all 12vdc circuits in the RV
    have 2 wires
    both the positive and the negative

    rv house circuits, do NOT use the frame grounding method that Vehicles use

    insde the converter you will find a NEGATIVE bus
    it will NOT be grounded to the RV frame
    yes the battery is, but the 12v circuits are wired with 2 wires from the converter/fuse panel

    its possible you will find all the Negatives, fastened/connected together inside or behind the converter

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