Galvonic Isolator

[donrr1]

After installing a galvonic isolator to the green wire immediately after the shore power inlet, does the green wire still require a ground to the engine or other grounding system?

[svsirius]

Mine does not. It splits the green wire.

[rtbates]

The gal iso is in series with the shore ground(green). The INPUT to the gal iso goes to shore. The OUTPUT of the gal iso goes to the ship's gnd system as the original shore green did. http://www.yandina.com/galvanicIsolator.htm

randy

[k1vsk]

If there is any additional clarity required after the previous posts, please re-ask the question as it seems apparent you are installing a home made version. All commercially available galvanic isolators with which I am aware have very clearly written directions including schematic diagrams making it difficult to wire it incorrectly.
To reiterate what others have said, the isolator has nothing to do with the pos or ground wires, just the neutral one.

[donrr1]

The isolator hasn't arrived yet, it's a NEWMAR GI-30 GALVANIC ISOLATOR . I haven't been able to determine from my readings about the subject whether the ground (green) wire still must be grounded after installing the isolator. I will certainly read the installation instructions when it does arrive. As you say, the instructions will probably cover exactly what I need to do. Thank you all for your input!

Don

[k1vsk]

you'll be fine with the instructions but don't get confused with terminology - ground and neutral are different things for different purposes and you'll be installing it in the neutral line.

[donrr1]

If you refer to the link I have supplied, http://www.boatelectric.com/Galvanic%20Isolator.htm
you will find that the isolator is connected to the green ground wire, not the white neutral. My confusion was whether the isolator served as the ground for the AC system or the main grounding system for the boat did. This link I found at (of all places) the site selling Newmar equipment, clears my confusion. Don Casey's 'Boat Sailboats Simplified' as well as Nigel Calders 'Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual' both indicate that the isolator is connected to the green ground wire as well. Oddly enough, neither book went on to say whether the ground (green) wire should be attached to the boats grounding system as well.

Don

[RickBowman]

Originally Posted by k1vsk

If there is any additional clarity required after the previous posts, please re-ask the question as it seems apparent you are installing a home made version. All commercially available galvanic isolators with which I am aware have very clearly written directions including schematic diagrams making it difficult to wire it incorrectly.
To reiterate what others have said, the isolator has nothing to do with the pos or ground wires, just the neutral one.

K1,
Is it possible that there are two distinct and different topics here, that are both related to "saftey standards and groundings" with one being the original question posted by don regarding a galvonic isolator and your posting possibly referencing an isolation transformer? It appears to me that this could be a possibility?
Rick

[k1vsk]

We seem to be using the same language but can't communicate very well - maybe my fault...
The green wire is the one to which a galvanic isolator should be connected(inserted). It seems some may refer to it as a ground or a neutral. I always considered it the neutral giving credence to the conventional terminology that the power carrying conductors are positive and negative, the latter also referred to as ground.
Regardless, it seems we can all agree if we use colors instead or terminology

[olddog60]

I am preparing to install galvanic isolator on my boat. Does anyone have any experience with the one I am looking at buying. It seems to be an older model but I like the price. Any comments welcome. I found this on e-bay.

Guest Galvanic Isolator 60 AMP Model 2460P, Fully Potted - Sealed, Boat / Marine (046904873173) | eBay