Is grounding to my 80/20 cabinets safe?
#1
Posted 12 July 2021 - 09:59 PM
It’s a FWC Grandby shell.
I built cabinets with 80/20 aluminum extrusion. These are attached to the camper’s aluminum frame. The factory grounding for the camper electrical is to the grandby frame.
Am i safe to have this setup? Will current pass through my aluminum extrusion? Do I need a ground going to the truck frame?
Thanks
My setup in case it matters:
2 - Lion Energy 105Ah batteries
Victron MPPT for 400w solar
Victron Orion charger to alternator
Eaton 1800w Inverter/Charger
#2
Posted 13 July 2021 - 02:27 AM
For charging from the truck, you need a negative wire from the truck battery to your charger. I used 6 awg positive and negative from the truck to the charger for an Orion 12/12-30 and it works fine. You don’t want to rely on a structural connection for that much current.
Edited by Jon R, 13 July 2021 - 02:36 AM.
Jon R
2021 Grandby Slide-in Front Dinette
2021 GMC 3500HD CC LB SRW Gas
1993 Chevrolet K2500 Ext Cab LB
#3
Posted 13 July 2021 - 04:41 AM
80/20 is anodized if natural aluminum or black in color. Other colors are rumored to be powder-coating. Unless you put the plate nuts in with the collar up (into the slot) they probably won't pierce the anodizing and be electrically conductive. If you did put them in with the collar in the slot then they likely did pierce the anodize. The studs are serrated and likely pierced the ano, but none of the "tip-in" nuts are likely to do that.
We use a LOT of 80/20 at work!
Where does that road go?
#4
Posted 30 July 2021 - 01:12 PM
I think that if you do this, your eventual post will be “ why does my …fill in the blank…electrical apparatus sometimes work and sometimes not? “
build in a dedicated electrical area with a ground that connects to your vehicle grounding system then wire in home run circuits to a bus type system, life will be better and future trouble shooting will be predictable.
Edited by Mthomas, 30 July 2021 - 01:13 PM.
2018 Hawk FD 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 CTD
#5
Posted 30 July 2021 - 05:53 PM
1. Is it dangerous for my aluminum framed cabinets to be connected to the ground system? (For instance, will I get shocked by touching an appliance, inverter etc and the cabinet?)
2. Is the FWC ground to just the camper but not the truck adequate?
Edited by Bsimmons, 30 July 2021 - 05:53 PM.
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