Anchor chain conducting DC?

[Celestialsailor]

This is a hypothetical question... If an electric windlass has a up and down feature which is done by reversing + and - and lets say your thru-hulls are bonded to the negative DC system, then is is not a subtle short when the anchor is coming up in salt water? The chain makes contact to the windlass which body uses the negative terminal. thought I would throw that out there since I'm working on my anchoring system.

[Paul L]

I doubt that the frame of the windlass is bonded to the terminals that are being used to swap + and -.

[skipmac]

Having completely disassembled mine for an overhaul I can confirm that the motor in mine is isolated from the body of the windlass.

[Celestialsailor]

I'll check it out and report back. At the moment I can see the negative cable attached to the body of the windlass frame.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

This is a hypothetical question... ...and lets say your thru-hulls are bonded to the negative DC system, then is is not a subtle short when the anchor is coming up in salt water?

Bonding thru hulls or any other bonding should never be connected to the boat DC grounding system.

See: The West Advisor: Marine Grounding Systems

Bonding and grounding are two separate things. Least they should be. If you do it improperly, yes, in your OQ it well could be.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Bonding thru hulls or any other bonding should never be connected to the boat DC grounding system.

See: The West Advisor: Marine Grounding Systems

Bonding and grounding are two separate things. Least they should be. If you do it improperly, yes, in your OQ it well could be.

I totally agree...Yet I've read a few books that recommend bonding to the engine block (DC ground). And if you think about it, the prop shaft also is negative.