SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

[tonyiiiafl]

This is the weekend that I am installing the 400w 4 panel system. I have been reading the Renogy installation manual, and it states the panels need to be "earth grounded at the frames.

??????

Any input?

Tony

[vineyardgray]

Must be a safety ground - what are you mounting them on? Metal frame?

[Midnightsun]

"Earth" grounding on a boat is not possible as it is floating. On a boat it is called a bonding system where the only ground is your battery negative. Instruction you read must have been for typical home installations. I have yet to see someone bond there panels especially if you use elevator bolts on fibreglass directly since there is nothing to bond to. The negative lead of the solar panel is already bonded to the battery so i see no point unless you are mounting g on an aluminum frame and want to bond that which is easily achieved with wire connecting the negative and the frame. Really do not see the point though but maybe someone can explain if there are any benefits to this.

[tonyiiiafl]

Midnight and VG, As I thought. I am mounting to fiberglass roof panel. I guess I could see grounding the frame in an Earth installation, but not here. Thank you for the confirmation. As soon as fog lifts and clears, I am off to clean up the aft deck roof, than begging the process. Hope to have all panels installed today and cables run down to salon for hook up in the AM. Still need to get a disconnect switch, but that will come soon.

[km1125]

I'd agree it's a safety or lightning ground and would just be connected to the bonding system of the boat. Even if they have aluminum frames, I'm not sure it would really help that much if lightning actually hit.

[tonyiiiafl]

Well, trying but good. I made the mounts with the elevator bolts, cleaned the roof up, and mounted with 4200. Need a couple of extension cables so hook up will be next weekend.

[vineyardgray]

Nice. I don't have enough experience with 4200 to say for certain, but I would be concerned that it would not be strong enough to glue the panel brackets to the roof in that manner. I would be looking to find a way to through-bolt a couple braces across the entire roof somehow and then secure the panels to the braces. Stainless Unistrut comes to mind although I'm sure there are more cost effective options. Last think you want is those breaking free under full throttle/high winds.

[Midnightsun]

4200 will do the trick, amazing how strong the bond is. Learned a long time ago building aquariums how strong a super thin bead of silicone is. I challenge anyone to pull just one of those elevator bolts off the roof, most likely the fibreglass will come with it. Slide a razor blade under and they are easily removed for whatever reason.

[tonyiiiafl]

SO, look at this, the branch connectors have input of POS and says output of NEG? Other one is opposite, input NEG, Output POS? Maybe a mistake in manufacturing?

[Midnightsun]

Those are parallel connectors. A few possibilities out there, just need to order the ones applicable to your setup. http://www.wegosolar.com/products.php?p ... %7DF-Pair-