Inverter Sub Panel

[jmikerudd]

I have installed solar panels with charger and a Magnum pure sine inverter/charger with a sub-panel to run a separate 15 amp circuit for tv, computers and charging needs. It is not tied into the regular house circuits. My question is this, The sub panel I purchased has only 1 bar without a separate ground bar like in the main panel. That being the case, can I combine the ground and the neutral to the single bar?

Second question, the inverter has a pass thru a/c charger that kicks in when on shore or gen set power. What about he existing converter, do I just disconnect it?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Mike

[jmikerudd]

Thank you all for the advice.

[enblethen]

The neutral buss must be isolated from the ground. Leaving the bonding screw out isolates the buss making it an isolated neutral.
I would not recommend splicing the neutrals, but yes, you can.
I would splice the grounds and run pigtail to the box.

[jmikerudd]

Bud, as it turns out the green bonding screw is set up to install in the neutral buss if required. I am planning on grounding the box utilizing the bonding screw (it is designed for it) do I need to install a new neutral buss or can I connect the a/c in neutral and a/c out neutral together with wire nut in the box?

[enblethen]

Do not combine them. Go and pick up a ground bar at your local hardware store.
Make sure the one in your sub-panel does not have a bonding screw installed in the neutral buss.

[2oldman]

jmikerudd wrote:
What about he existing converter, do I just disconnect it?

Yes. Yank or switch its 120v supply.

In case you haven't started this sub-panel job, many of us find it's much easier to plug the shore cord into the inverter or hard-wire it to the main panel. Makes things much easier. And if you sell the rig you don't have all that explaining to do.

[jmikerudd]

Thank you Chris and Brett for the confirmation

[wolfe10]

Chris is absolutely correct-- keep them separate.

[Chris_Bryant]

No- make sure the neutral bar is isolated from the case (insulated) and just add a ground bar- there is usually a place for one.