Is a bonding system a ground

[unbusted67]

Hello, I have a new chart plotter that has a ground post on it. Do I take that right to my boat’s bonding system? Thats a system of multiple green or bare copper wires bonded to two different zinc sets and the shaft.

[GordMay]

Yes.
Basic DC Neg & Gnd Wiring ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/galler...r&imageuser=79

[goboatingnow]

We won’t Re-Trash why the default ABYC grounding is a corrosion nightmare.

[smac999]

Unless the plotter has issues I would just leave it off. In the Garmin manual it says it’s optional.

Technically it wants an rf ground plate. Which would be its own seawater plate with nothing else attached. Only the nav gear grounds.

[fish53]

I have a bonding system but I don't ground my electronics and have never had a problem.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by smac999

Unless the plotter has issues I would just leave it off. In the Garmin manual it says it’s optional.

Technically it wants an rf ground plate. Which would be its own seawater plate with nothing else attached. Only the nav gear grounds.

Thanks, Yeah this comes after having an RF issue between the plotter and the radio which are likely situated too close to each other. It seems as if after a while my Furuno TZtouch's internal power supply is building up a magnetic field and is causing RF int. on the radio.

I spoke with Furuno's absolutely fantastic tech support (imagine calling a company and just having a tech pick up and answer questions.) and he suggested first grounding the gear together and if that didn't work putting an isolation transformer on the power supply to the plotter. So far it would appear that the grounding is working great.

[Lake-Effect]

^^^

There IS a point to bonding or joining shields on DC powered equipment.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

^^^

There IS a point to bonding or joining shields on DC powered equipment.

There is ?

[Russian007]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

We won’t Re-Trash why the default ABYC grounding is a corrosion nightmare.

Amazing that with all the intelligent, educated and experienced people in boating that the community can never agree on electrical stuff. Easy way to start a flame war is post one word: Delignification. WW3 to follow.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Russian007

Delignification.

We have a winner!
Yes, it exists and it's a very real phenomenon that I have firsthand knowledge of, having repaired damage caused by it.
Back in the ~late '70s, (IIRC,) Giffy Fuller, who was perhaps the best-known surveyor of his time wrote an extensive article about it in Wooden Boat magazine.
Of course, most boats are fiberglass today, but wooden backing blocks are still quite prevalent for thru hulls/seacocks on older boats.

[Russian007]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

We have a winner!
Yes, it exists and it's a very real phenomenon that I have firsthand knowledge of, having repaired damage caused by it.
Back in the ~late '70s, (IIRC,) Giffy Fuller, who was perhaps the best-known surveyor of his time wrote an extensive article about it in Wooden Boat magazine.
Of course, most boats are fiberglass today, but wooden backing blocks are still quite prevalent for thru hulls/seacocks on older boats.

Seems to be the ultimate rabbit hole. Threads often reach the point where guys are practically posting resumes to explain why their explanation is expert and correct and everyone else wrong.

[Brian.D]

The reason for only one DC ground point: Ground Loop. Keep ALL DC grounds, or better yet call it "zero volt reference points" together. Once you have two or more separate points, current will flow between them.

All RF grounds are AC related and should NOT be connected to DC grounds. Keep AC ground separate and use DC blocking capacitors to keep all DC off of that ground.

JMHO

[Russian007]

Originally Posted by Brian.D

The reason for only one DC ground point: Ground Loop. Keep ALL DC grounds, or better yet call it "zero volt reference points" together. Once you have two or more separate points, current will flow between them.

All RF grounds are AC related and should NOT be connected to DC grounds. Keep AC ground separate and use DC blocking capacitors to keep all DC off of that ground.

JMHO

And now Anxiety sets in as I worry I probably have an improperly wired boat and the prop shaft is likely disintegrating as I type this.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Russian007

And now Anxiety sets in as I worry I probably have an improperly wired boat and the prop shaft is likely disintegrating as I type this.

Gotta love forums

For a change of pace, some articles on marine corrosion, including info on testing for corrosion potentials.

• part 1
• part 2
• part 3
• part 4

I just fell across these today, so I've only skimmed them. Love to get feedback on these.

[Brian.D]

Wasn't trying to create any anxiety, and I do apologize if I did. My point, although rather strong, was for people to THINK before plugging things in and using whatever they can find for grounding.

JMHO