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  • Where can I earth ground my batteries?

    I am setting up my battery bank and I need to ground my batteries. They are in a cabinet and the cabinet is in the garage which is on concrete. I only have a bit that can drill 12 inches in the ground if that. And I want to make a strong solid ground for the amps I think that it will be carrying. I dont have water pipes close by either. I am trying to think of solutions for myself.

  • #2
    You don't need to ground batteries. In fact, if you are using an inverter, you better NOT ground your batteries.
    You need to ground:
    Solar Mounting Racks
    PV mounting rails (racks)
    Generator, only via it's ground bolt
    Inverter, only via it's ground bolt, if supplied.

    What can happen, is sneak paths develop, and you can trip Ground Fault Protectors - ( AC & DC ) or blow some of the internal protection fuses in inverters.

    Hope this helps.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by rootytootie View Post
      .... And I want to make a strong solid ground for the amps I think that it will be carrying.......
      Every wire run, needs 2 wires, the source and the return. The wires should be the same gauge. This is true for PV arrays, Battery-Inverter wires and Household wires.
      Source & matching Return. Ground is a safety ground, not a current carrying conductor.
      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

      Comment


      • #4
        I grounded my racks and frames of my panels. Also I was told to ground the negative side of the panels to an earth ground. I am redoing the set-up I have because I am buying a more powerful inverter. So I guess i dont need to ground the batteries then. I will wait for the inverter to come and use that ground. Where should I ground that wire to earth? Or just to a metal frame?

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by rootytootie View Post
          .... Also I was told to ground the negative side of the panels to an earth ground. .....
          .....Where should I ground that wire to earth? Or just to a metal frame?
          1) Whoever told you to ground the negative side of the panels, make sure they understand you are going to hold them responsible for repairs/replacements.
          In my opinion, they are wrong, and cannot justify their statement.
          My 4.5KW gridtie systems works fine, and the panels are not grounded. And its been inspected by the city and the electric company.

          2) Ground is a large metal pipe/rod, driven 8 feet into the the dirt. A metal (steel or copper) water pipe going underground to a city meter is OK, but not if it goes to a private well with a pump at the bottom.

          If your generator says it needs a ground, ground it. If your inverter says it needs a ground, ground it. If your batteries do not have a factory sticker that says "ground the negative terminal", do not ground them because Buba says to. Unless Buba has a new inverter to give to you when your inverter burns up.

          This is all my opinion, of knowing what happens when you have a grounded battery bank, connected to a inverter, that then has a "neutral" wire connected to ground. A massive current flows thru the inverter, frying the MOSFETS way faster than any fuse can blow. Most < $200 inverters have no transformer, and the H bridge output shares a battery connection.

          Your mileage may vary.
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

          Comment

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