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Post by Cmaienza on Aug 26, 2018 20:29:06 GMT
Background info: Bought a 100w kit with the Wanderer 30amp charge controller. Connected to a 100ah agm battery. 10amp fuse between solar panel and charge controller, and 30 amp fuse between controller and battery (both on positive wires). Have a 500w MSW inverter that clips onto the battery terminals. Setup is used in a borrowed Toyota Sienna.
Problem: The manual briefly mentions that the system should be grounded but doesn't say all that much on how that is done. I believe the standard practice is to run a short, thick wire from the negative battery terminal to the vehicle's chassis. I don't think that is an option for me, as I am borrowing the minivan for only a few months and can't do anything that will leave any permanent damage/marks.
What are my options here? Is there any other way to make this setup safe to use? If I do not ground the system am I going to risk the minivan going up in flames. Should I just swallow the loss and forget about solar for now?
The system is functional at the moment, but I haven't been using it as I doubt that it is safe. I'm several thousand miles from home so my resources are limited.
Thanks.
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Post by bupkis on Aug 26, 2018 20:41:05 GMT
I believe you are confused. Use your system without grounding.
Grounding to me involves driving a rod into the ground/earth. Using the chassis as common is not ground but the term is often used to imply common.
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Post by tattoo on Aug 26, 2018 20:58:11 GMT
Run it to the negative side of the battery where it attaches to the frame and you will be just fine....
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Post by bupkis on Aug 26, 2018 21:08:34 GMT
Problem: The manual briefly mentions that the system should be grounded but doesn't say all that much on how that is done. What EXACTLY does the manual say? What is it you want to 'ground'? The controller? Does it have a ground lug? The controller it self is negatively ground, period. In short this means that the control is done on the postive side, ie during regulation the on/off to maintain voltage is done on the + side, in the controller the panel negative, load negative and battery negative are all joined together (common, aka as ground). What else do you want to do? |
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Post by tattoo on Aug 26, 2018 21:14:20 GMT
Where do you have the CC mounted or is it just lying on the floor?? Or is it mounted on a board??
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v10
Solar Advocate
Posts: 81
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Post by v10 on Aug 26, 2018 21:17:20 GMT
Your fuses should pop if something gets overloaded and you have nothing installed into the van.
In other words your{electrical}set-up is not tied into the van in any way. Negative post is where your ground is.
Was it the inverter manual that mentioned grounding the system? A small wingnut on a lug post?
That's there so the housing doesn't shock you if something shorts inside.
Very unlikely
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Post by cmaienza on Aug 26, 2018 22:18:28 GMT
The charge controller is currently on the floor, though I can mount it to the inside of the van with Velcro. I screwed it into to small pieces of wood and put the Velcro on the wood, so there is an air gap between the cc and the wall. Regarding what the manual says, look at the last two pages of this: www.renogy.com/template/files/Manuals/Off-grid-General-Manual.pdf^ there is a diagram, then it says: "The negative battery terminal and the chassis ground of the inverter should be connected to a system ground. This is a safety measure to prevent electrical shock" Basically I need to know if I need to do anything else to my system, other than what I have already mentioned. FYI: talking to me like an eight year old would probably be best. Thanks! |
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Post by bupkis on Aug 26, 2018 23:00:10 GMT
system ground would be a copper rod driven into the GROUND, this is a mobile situation!!
Since there is no 'system ground' then attaching inverter ground to chassis is useless.
Same answer for a generator sitting on the ground with a ground lug, ignore the ground lug. There may be some situation you would have to drive a ground rod into the ground but not for mobile.
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Post by tattoo on Aug 26, 2018 23:15:56 GMT
If you grounded everything to the chassis it could help keep from being shocked but it is unlikely..... I would mount everything on a piece of paneling just as it would be mounted on a wall in a house.... That way it's mobile and secure....
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Post by Admin on Aug 27, 2018 11:45:36 GMT
Background info: Bought a 100w kit with the Wanderer 30amp charge controller. Connected to a 100ah agm battery. 10amp fuse between solar panel and charge controller, and 30 amp fuse between controller and battery (both on positive wires). Have a 500w MSW inverter that clips onto the battery terminals. Setup is used in a borrowed Toyota Sienna. Problem: The manual briefly mentions that the system should be grounded but doesn't say all that much on how that is done. I believe the standard practice is to run a short, thick wire from the negative battery terminal to the vehicle's chassis. I don't think that is an option for me, as I am borrowing the minivan for only a few months and can't do anything that will leave any permanent damage/marks. What are my options here? Is there any other way to make this setup safe to use? If I do not ground the system am I going to risk the minivan going up in flames. Should I just swallow the loss and forget about solar for now? The system is functional at the moment, but I haven't been using it as I doubt that it is safe. I'm several thousand miles from home so my resources are limited. Thanks. The recommendation is to ground your system to the chassis of the vehicle. In theory, all wiring should be grounded to prevent electric shock where the chassis allows less wiring and provides a single reference point since it influences how voltage (potential difference) travels. However, the warning for electric shock stems from other wiring, perhaps exposed, being connected to the chassis which could potentially shock you. A preventative measure would be to always check your wiring is tight and not exposed (the bare wire should not be exposed on running lines). -Renogy Team |
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