Grounding A/C system

[dbruce85]

I know this topic has been beat to death, but after reading the posts, I am still confused. Have a Pearson 26 with an outboard, Will be installing shore power. Have a proper inlet for 30 amp, shore power cord, and paneltronics 3 circuit panel with main and reverse polarity indicator.
Any thread I have read all talks about connecting ground to a spot on the motor, this must be refering to inboards. I have purcahsed marine #10, 3wire, (black, white and green for ground) to run from inlet to panel, and have # 14 3 wire for the outlets, Have GFI plugs for the 1st. on each circuit.
Now the question, do I have run a cable from the safety ground bus to somewhere on the boat?
Thanks in advance for your advise

[artbyjody]

Those whom do not have inboards will typically ground to a keel bolt(s) I believe...Refrain from grounding to any seacocks however...

you should already have DC ground...so you would tie the AC ground to it...see this doc for a simple but effective rule to go by...

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/268/docserve.asp

a book worth buying before jumping all in:

McGraw-Hill: Sailboat Electrical Systems : Book

hope that helps somewhat....

[peikenberry]

Jody is right, but let me just add this. On outboard powered boats the DC ground is normally connected to the engine block on the outboard, just as the DC ground on an inboard boat is connected to the engine block.
Take a look at Basic Electricity on my web site (free) New Boatbuilders Home Page - Basic Electricity Page 1

The book mentioned is a good resource. There are more listed in my own order of preference:
Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, by Nigel Calder
The 12 Volt Bible, by Miner K Brotherton and Ed Shermanfficeffice" />>>
Boating Magazine's Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems by Ed Sherman
Sailboat Electrical Systems, Don Casey, 1999 International Marine
Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of Wiring, by Charlie Wing
Your Boat's Electrical System, by Conrad Miller and E. S. Maloney

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by peikenberry

Take a look at Basic Electricity on my web site (free) New Boatbuilders Home Page - Basic Electricity Page 1

Nice website - hard to read with the font - but lotsa good info thanks for sharing the link and putting the effort to have that info online !