ground wires

[Tim Powell]

In the bilge is there a way to know what should have a ground wire and what should not and where to ground it to
I have looked through all the manusls. Is there a rule of thum?

 

[GJH]

Tim, I think you are talking about bonding wires. There should be a copper strip running around the edge of the bilge that is the bonding point. A green wire goes to it from anything that goes into the water, like a through hull, rudder post, etc. I put one on my AC raw water pump too.

I am getting back on both feet, almost recovered from my broke achilles tendon. Have not been able to get on a boat other than a ferry all year. We are finally taking the Whaler out this weekend. I would be happy to come by and take a look for you sometime in the next week or so. Some weird part of me misses sticking my head into the bilge for the occasional look-see.

 

[chuckbullett@gmail.com]

In the bilge is there a way to know what should have a ground wire and what should not and where to ground it to
I have looked through all the manusls. Is there a rule of thum?

Tim;

There's two schools of thought about this matter... even among ABYC Certified Electricians and Systems specialists. Some say to insure that there's a "star" green wire bonding system connecting everything metal that touches the water. Others state that they should not be connected.

Please note that it has to be one plan or the other... not a little of this and a little of that though.

Nigel Calder's books and writings express a different point of view which I am inclined to endorse since I just replaced every through-hull, and that is to allow penetrating fixtures in a fiberglass hull electrically float above the grounding system. A steel hull is another matter all together. I recommend you read up a little bit on this before you commit.

Judging by the amount of destructive corrosion on every seacock and fixture that i just replaced I am inclined to not re-connect the bonding system to the through-hulls and respective sea-cocks, and my boat yard agrees with our decision.

Best to you-

Chuck B; "Chartmaker"

 

[GJH]

Chuck, sounds like you may have had a break in your bonding system. That's what happened to cause this, which was isolated to just these closely spaced through hulls on the forward bow, at the end of the line, if you will. :

We found the break and all was well ever after.

 

[chuckbullett@gmail.com]

Chuck, sounds like you may have had a break in your bonding system. That's what happened to cause this, which was isolated to just these closely spaced through hulls on the forward bow, at the end of the line, if you will. :

We found the break and all was well ever after.

Wow....

So glad you hauled and found it before the inevitable occurred. Congrats on that one.

I agree that the bonding system had broken down on Chartmaker. She was a mess. We saved her though.

 

[Tim Powell]

Tim, I think you are talking about bonding wires. There should be a copper strip running around the edge of the bilge that is the bonding point. A green wire goes to it from anything that goes into the water, like a through hull, rudder post, etc. I put one on my AC raw water pump too.

I am getting back on both feet, almost recovered from my broke achilles tendon. Have not been able to get on a boat other than a ferry all year. We are finally taking the Whaler out this weekend. I would be happy to come by and take a look for you sometime in the next week or so. Some weird part of me misses sticking my head into the bilge for the occasional look-see.

Thanks for the offer I am in Hatteras fish still around. I kept your number will surely call you in about 3 weeks. You can purchase lunch !!! (Remember) of course kidding I did not know you were laid up I know that's been tuff. But sounds like you doing better if you willing to get in my bilge cramped compared to yours.

 

[GJH]

Wow....

So glad you hauled and found it before the inevitable occurred. Congrats on that one.

I agree that the bonding system had broken down on Chartmaker. She was a mess. We saved her though.

Actually the monthly diver had pointed it out. They were really not as bad as they looked… yet.