Let's talk about grounding
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Jan-08-2017 11:28 AM
In a home grounding is a means to transfer energy to the earth as to release unwanted energy and protect the home and it's electrical components during an unwanted spike such as lightning.
This is my take anyway. Feedback welcome.
Subsequently when I camp I typically lower at least one jack leg to the ground to make minor leveling and add stability. In this process I assume that I am at least partially grounding my camper to the earth. As such I am wondering if it would be good practice to join the solar panels with a common ground wire and attach them as well to the camper frame (or directly to jack leg) to make a lesser path of resistance rather than through my solar controller/battery etc. (solar controller does have fuses between itself and panels and also batteries)
Any thoughts?
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Jan-10-2017 08:28 PM
120V ground from the switch box also connects to the front left tie down. In addition there are several other safety ground connections such as the fridge and generator that are tied to the frame.
Not sure if yours is similar but I would think it is.
However, every 12v circuit our camper has a copper return wire. Including all running, signal, and marker lights. I found no electrical circuits utilizing the frame as a return.
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Jan-10-2017 09:56 AM
Where? Your Fridge and if you have a hot water tank that is 120vac and propane.
Lot's of discussion back years ago.. If your interested here is a link.
Or just look at the pictures that I produced along with the notes showing the grounding.
You also will notice that the AC ground and DC- are also tied together at or around the converter.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/16562094
Or if you do not want to go look here is one picture showing the BOND... AC ground to DC-
Not to Hijack this thread but if your interested in the reason I came up with these pictures you can learn from this thread:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19726244/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
Jim
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Jan-09-2017 08:05 AM
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Jan-09-2017 06:47 AM
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 - Duramax/Allison
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Jan-08-2017 11:02 PM
But on the 12v grounding, or 12v negative return, if mounted on truck likely its tied and is chassis grounded (NOT EARTH GROUND). Even unmounted likely chassis grounded, though possibly not designed as such battery negative probably can be be metered to/thru chassis.
most everything I'm aware of has a wired return on anything 12v, not relying on chassis-but frame is connected to battery negative. One source is the water heater, the other the refrigerator, what or where else unknown. I discovered this on ours hooking up light by door, routing ground wire behind screen door frame and light came on. Always assumed camper frame isolated on the 12v. Nothing you want to rely on, negative returns should be wired, though I utilize for the CB. But I'd meter if you think the frame isnt tied to battery.
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Jan-08-2017 08:49 PM
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator
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Jan-08-2017 07:01 PM
In a camper, pobably the best thing is to park close (but not too close) to something a lot taller. A jack lowered to the ground is probably a decent ground for a lightening strike (short air gaps are no trouble for lightening), but getting the 100,000 amps or so to go from the frame on your solar panels to the jack is not an easy thing.
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Jan-08-2017 04:29 PM
work2much wrote:
If lightning were to strike the solar panels on an rv what would be the likely outcome?
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Jan-08-2017 02:13 PM
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Jan-08-2017 01:54 PM
work2much wrote:
This makes sense. I guess a simpler question would be, is there any concern or way to protect the camper from lightning strikes? If lightning were to strike the solar panels on an rv what would be the likely outcome?
Your question is one that is often asked in regard to sailboats. One school of thought points out that grounding the mast to the sea makes the mast the highest ground and attracts lightning. The other suggests that providing a path to ground protects the boat. I don't know which is right.
I do know that it is much easier to ground the mast by making a connection to the sea. A good ground to earth on land is much more difficult. I have heard that it would require a rod sunk to a depth of 6 feet in the ground. I don't know about that but I suspect that it is hard to get a good ground while camping.
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Jan-08-2017 12:48 PM
wgriswold wrote:
I think there is a problem with semantics. Our 12v systems are not grounded, that is connected to earth ground. The "ground" is actually the negative side of the +/- 12 volt system. You are right, the frame is used as the return wire to the 12V battery. A ground is not necessary because the 12V system presents no danger to us. That is why we can touch both posts of a battery with no harm. Higher voltage direct current systems are grounded to earth ground with a third wire for safety.
120V systems are grounded to earth for safety reasons.
I believe that we should not use ground as a description for the negative part of the 12V system because it leads to confusion with earth ground. I acknowledge that it is hopeless to change that.
This makes sense. I guess a simpler question would be, is there any concern or way to protect the camper from lightning strikes? If lightning were to strike the solar panels on an rv what would be the likely outcome?
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Jan-08-2017 12:43 PM
120V systems are grounded to earth for safety reasons.
I believe that we should not use ground as a description for the negative part of the 12V system because it leads to confusion with earth ground. I acknowledge that it is hopeless to change that.
Arctic Fox 25Y
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Jan-08-2017 12:37 PM
For 120v power think of hot as the source and neutral as the drain. Ground is the secondary drain that provides a path during a fault so the power does not go through you as a drain.
Nothing is really going to earth ground especially with an inverter. If you are plugged in the ground connection is all you need.
Technically the frame of the panels should be grounded to the RV frame same as a home installation but few do it. More important if you have a series high voltage system.
If you want to conduct a direct lightening strike that would take a bit more effort. The strike will still jump to the earth and you should be unaffected.
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Jan-08-2017 12:28 PM
jimh425 wrote:
I don't think putting the leg down will make any difference.
As far as making the camper more conductive to lightning? You're probably right. Being that the solar panels are directly overhead while sleeping I guess I was looking for a little piece of mind. I never could sleep through lightning storms in the camper.
2020 Grand Design Solitude 2930RL 2520 watts solar. 600ah lithium. Magnum 4000 watt inverter.