Bonded Ground

[gczenis]

I'm installing a inverter charger on my 2006 Catalina 34. My question is are the grounds bonded? I have the batteries disconnected and no AC to the boat, an ohm meter reads in infinity if I check between the AC ground bus and DC negative bus. I would think that if the grounds were bonded I would read continuity at those points. What am I missing? I appreciate any help.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Most aren't unless the PO did so. I installed a Freedom 15 in 1998 in our 1986 boat. The AC grounds are kept completely separate. Open up your electrical panel and check out the insulated terminal strips behind and trace the wiring and you'll see. What year and hull #? You're invited to join us at our C34IA website message board http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/board,11.0.html

 

[gczenis]

Thanks Stu, I did look at the terminal strips and checked them with a meter, the negative DC and AC earth ground are not tied together. Is it acceptable to install a jumper between the two strips to accomplish the bond. The Xantrex Inverter/Charger I am installing requires the grounds be bonded?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Is it acceptable to install a jumper between the two strips to accomplish the bond. The Xantrex Inverter/Charger I am installing requires the grounds be bonded?

I wouldn't. And I assume you have a Freedom charger, right? Please let me know where in the installation manual it says this, because I think you may be misinterpreting something. I have both a 1998 manual and a 2002 manual (for the newer units with no big 2/0 wires - you have to provide them yourself, and the echo charger). Let me know, because I don't think you have to, or want to, do this. I'm thinking particularly about page 24 of the manual.

 

[gczenis]

Stu, the unit I am installing is a 2009 it requires the bonded ground in order to recognize and facilitate the switching from shore power to inverter. In the manual it states that the ac ground is lifted when the inverter is operating. I contacted Catalina customer service regarding using a jumper at the terminal strips and I kindly received a same day reply from Kent Nelson of the engineering department. He did say the using the jumper is ok or alternatively run an AC ground to the engine block
Thanks for your help
Greg Czenis
Catalina 34 1738

 

[Stu Jackson]

Greg,

I wish you all the luck with your installation. There is nothing different between your unit and mine, based on the manuals I have. And I did not connect the DC and AC grounds, if that's what you're calling "bonding."

All I was asking was where in your manual it says to do this, that all. I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Stu

 

[gczenis]

Stu, The manual is on the boat, hope to get to it tomorrow or Saturday. I'll let you you know where the bonded ground is referenced.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The days of "I left it on the boat" are over!

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/50/p/docs/pt/7/product.asp

 

[gczenis]

Stu, I was looking at the documents online right after I said It's on the boat. You were right I was misinterpreting (actually way off course) the document. I realized what they were saying (pages 8 and 9) was the automatic switch on the unit bonds AC neutral to what they call safety ground when the unit is operating.
Thanks for trying to help someone with obvious poor reading comprehension.