Do I have to ground a LiFePO4 battery and inverter in a campervan?

[GimmyTree]

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?

[Blacktank]

only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source

[GimmyTree]

only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source

I'm strictly charging from the solar panel. Thanks

[Ticklebelly]

only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source

Why 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".

[Blacktank]

only if you are going to use the alternator as a charging source

Why 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".

i'm no electrical engineer so dont know exactly,just repeating what was taught to me

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

[rvpopeye]

Completing the circuit , yup.

[GotSmart]

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.

[Roadtripp]

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.

[Ticklebelly]

sooo it's the negative just been called earth/ground so long we stick with it

Why 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.

[Blacktank]

sooo it's the negative just been called earth/ground so long we stick with it

Why 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.

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

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