lightning protection

soapstone · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003

Hello-

I''m looking for input for providing a lightning ground. The boat has an encapsulated keel, so there are no keel bolts to attach to.

I''m hearing that pretty much anything that you could attach to the keel could bet blown off is you bond it to the mast, including through hulls.

Any sage advice?

Dave

GordMay · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003

You might have to either:
Install an external (immersed) ground plate c/w thru-hull bolts (best solution). Gnd plate will be 144 square inches minimum, better a long narrow strip (48" or longer x 3" wide), and NOT sintered.
or
Utilize a much less effective temporary connection, such as a ground plate connected to a large (2/0) cable c/w clamp to attach to your mast stays or chain plates.
See the excellent articles at:
http://www.thomson.ece.ufl.edu/lightning/
"Lightning protection of boats and marine facilities"
Regards,
Gord

salnan · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003

There is a very good thread on the whole subject of lightning strikes on yachts at

http://cruiserlog.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=Forum&action=display&num=105875562 1

I certainly learned a lot from it.

pblais · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003

One thing not mentioned when it comes to lightning is that if you are at the dock and are plugged in none of this matters. Just because your mast may become a lighning target does not make it the only targety. A neighbor last week has good lightning protection and grounding on his boat but when a tree nearby was hit it inducted the electric wires. In the process he lost everything electronic in his house as well as every bit of electronics plus the A/C unit in his boat. Insurance estimates are already over $5K in damage.

Your shore power cord is a very problematic connection. Most docks are not surge protected even if well grounded. When your AC power lines are inducted your grounding plate won''t save you from the surge through the shorepower line. Only a heavy duty surge protector will help you then.

Considering many people are at the dock when a storm comes consaider twice before leaving your boat plugged in all the time when you are away.