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+--- Thread: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? (/thread-3207.html)
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Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - GimmyTree - 09-17-2019
I'm just wondering if I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter to the chassis in a campervan?
In other words; do I need to "earth" a battery and inverter for a solar system?
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Blacktank - 09-17-2019
only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - GimmyTree - 09-17-2019
(09-17-2019, 07:08 AM)Blacktank Wrote: only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source
I'm strictly charging from the solar panel. Thanks
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Ticklebelly - 09-17-2019
(09-17-2019, 07:08 AM)Blacktank Wrote: only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging sourceWhy would you need to ground anything if using the alternator as a charging source. In vehicles with a smart alternator, most handbooks specifically recommend against. Whether smart or dumb alternator, again, why do you need a "ground".
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Blacktank - 09-17-2019
(09-17-2019, 04:14 PM)Ticklebelly Wrote:i'm no electrical engineer so dont know exactly,just repeating what was taught to me(09-17-2019, 07:08 AM)Blacktank Wrote: only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging sourceWhy would you need to ground anything if using the alternator as a charging source. In vehicles with a smart alternator, most handbooks specifically recommend against. Whether smart or dumb alternator, again, why do you need a "ground".
soooo
first,it.s not a ground or earth,thats alternating current,this is direct current so it's the negative just been called earth/ground so long we stick with it
second,for the same reason your solar controller has a positive and negative which is to complete the circuit
now will they charge without the negative being hooked up? i dont know,never tried
but to answer the question at hand,no you dont need a negative going to the vehicle for solar to charge,it has it's own
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - rvpopeye - 09-18-2019
Completing the circuit , yup.
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - GotSmart - 09-18-2019
Some inverters required a (separate) chassis ground.
Others did not... Read the book, and ask Sternwake
That is how I built my first system.
It’s only two wires, 12 volts. For some reason much harder than a high voltage system.
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Roadtripp - 09-18-2019
I would have equipment grounds. Why not? I want to minimize potential for “hot skin” condition on my rig. Every year someone dies from becoming the path to ground on a RV.
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Ticklebelly - 09-18-2019
(09-17-2019, 06:52 PM)Blacktank Wrote: sooo it's the negative just been called earth/ground so long we stick with itWhy not use a discrete wire? I'm trying to make the point that you do not have to ground anything just because you are charging a house battery using the vehicle alternator. I work in Aerospace and Avionics and we avoid slang use as much as possible.
RE: Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan? - Blacktank - 09-18-2019
(09-18-2019, 05:28 PM)Ticklebelly Wrote:pretty sure you need a ground just like the solar or battery charger need one to charge but you never know until you know so i hit google and got a headache trying to read electro jargon(09-17-2019, 06:52 PM)Blacktank Wrote: sooo it's the negative just been called earth/ground so long we stick with itWhy not use a discrete wire? I'm trying to make the point that you do not have to ground anything just because you are charging a house battery using the vehicle alternator. I work in Aerospace and Avionics and we avoid slang use as much as possible.
but since my house battery is charge from my alternator i went out there,disconnected my house battery ground to chassis,hooked up my volt/amp meter and started it up,no voltage change and zero amps a flowing,hooked the ground up, straight to 14.6 volt and 10 amps a flowing
so you sir owe me one extra strength tylenol