12v DC systems

[Db421]

I'm refitting my '83 h25 and ahve a general question about the electrical wiring as I'm re-wiring all of the lights, instruments, etc. I know that in simple DC setups negative is ground. I assumed that the negative side of things should be attached to the bonding system. In my setup the negative bus bar and negative battery terminal are both routed to the keelbolts (the bonding system?). In "upgrading the Cruising Sailboat" Daniel Spurr says that the bonding strip should never be used as ground.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks in advance.

Dave Bryant, s/v Jolly Good
Lake Lanier, GA

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dave, the bonding and grounding are two separate systems.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...catalogId=10001&page=Marine-Grounding-Systems

If you have an outboard, do NOT connect them, just use the (-) of the batteries as the ground for the DC system.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Ditio Stu's link.
The DC power grounds are only connected (should be) to the bonding ground at one location. they need to be connected but if you have several places where they connect it can result in DC currents being present in the bonding wires. Not a great idea as it promotes corrosion of the connected parts.