Do you ground your Inverter genset?

[Sparky502]

I picked up a new Yamaha 3000 watt inverter and noticed the ground connection on the control panel. Reading the manual it looks like it is a safety feature. Do most of you ground it and what do you use? Is a 14 gauge automotive wire with an alligator clip attached to a piece of rebar sufficient?

[wa8yxm]

When you are speaking of portable generators Grounding has two meanings.

The first is improper use of grounding the proper term is bonding, that is bonding the NEUTRAL and GROUND pins on the outlet... Optional, I would not do it unless I had issues down-line.

GROUNDING properly used refers to earth grounding of the generator frame (And the safety ground wire) to earth (A ground rod) I would not do it, not only is it NOT a safety factor.. it is actually safer if you do not do it.

The exception is when refueling,, But thats another mattter.. (Static electricity has been known to ignight gasoline vapors, but for this you ground a metal gas can to the frame of the generator BEFORE you open any tanks or valves)

[naturist]

The grounding thing is a safety measure. It is one of those deals where it's a good idea, but many, many people go for years ignoring it without ever finding out why, if you know what I mean.

The Official Way is indeed with an 8 foot rod driven into the ground, and no, there is no pulling it out once in place. One might do as well using the water pipes, if the those pipes are metal. But nobody uses metal plumbing anymore.

The generators have the ground points and the instructions insist you must ground them in order to absolve the manufacturer from responsibility if you do something stupid and kill somebody.

I have driven a grounding rod into the earth next to the place I put the generator when powering the sticks 'n' bricks when the mains go down. But I don't drive one into the ground when we go boon docking or when I use the generator to power my studio lights on location.

[Ron3rd]

Nobody grounds a portable generator.

[RoyB]

I run my 2KW Honda EU2000i generator that sits secured in the tailgate corner of my covered truck bed without any frame grounding. Never had any problems

My 12KW Diesel generator setup in the back however does have an Earth frame ground for it.

Roy Ken

[Peg_Leg]

Sparky, I've had my Yamaha 3000 for 10yrs. I did use a flimsy ground a couple of times but quit. I've ran mine in the rain, on the ground, on a rear mounted tray, in the bed of the truck, even power to 3 trailers. In other words how ever I needed to supply power for the job at hand. I use a plastic tarp and PVC poles to keep it shaded and dry.

Do what you think but a good ground depends on soil type and moisture content. 8' rods are the recommended but I don't think I could pull it back out of the ground if used one that long.

[Chinolbz]

Grounding a generator to earth is a different animal than most portable generators having a "floating ground or neutral". This will not be cured by a earth grounding rod. Search floating ground/neutral modified male plug for how to cure the problem. Chino

[2oldman]

Grounding generators.. consensus

[Sparky502]

Kpackpackkelley wrote:
I believe sometimes its good to ground a gen when your putting gasoline in it to relieve static electricity into the ground . It will build up if its on wheels or rubber isolators and when you touch it it makes a slight spark that can ignite the fuel.
I had a problem one time in my horse trailer with a welded fuel tank in it and static built up and the trailer being on tires couldn't get it out of the metal. So I started researching and found out about it. Airplanes are really bad being off the ground on wheels.

that's probably a really good idea that I never considered.

[Kpackpackkelley]

I believe sometimes its good to ground a gen when your putting gasoline in it to relieve static electricity into the ground . It will build up if its on wheels or rubber isolators and when you touch it it makes a slight spark that can ignite the fuel.
I had a problem one time in my horse trailer with a welded fuel tank in it and static built up and the trailer being on tires couldn't get it out of the metal. So I started researching and found out about it. Airplanes are really bad being off the ground on wheels.

[3_tons]

Check to see IF your genny has a smart 'floating ground' feature, IF so it will sense the loss of shore power and automatically ground itself via your RV. Once SP is restored the genny automatically divorces from the camper's ground..