Generator Shore Power Cord

[daletournier]

Ok, i know this is an old thread . Chuck has stated that hes seen no ill effects from the Honda generator having a floating earth, reverse polarity light slightly on.

Do others have different opinions, is it possible for a electrolysis situation to be setup due to the Neutral and earth not being bonded?

[smac999]

ill effects won't be noticed untill something goes wrong. like when a hot wire shorts internally to the case of your metal toster. the breaker won't pop. then you get electrocuted when you touch the toaster. it's a safty thing. and a rule by ABYC. when something goes wrong, then you'll notice.

best thing would be to have an isolation transformer on the boat. best protection at the dock. and any gen you plug your boat into you'll have the G-N bond done at the transformer. no messing around with modified plugs or gens.

[daletournier]

Thanks. My knowledge is basic here. I understand the potential safety issue regarding you becoming the path to earth, but what about boat issues?

A galvanic isolator stops stray dc current coming through your ac shore power lead when plugged into a marina (assuming there's a problem). The potential stray dc current is separate from the ac just using the same line as your connected to all other boats to some degree? Can a generator (Honda with a floating ground) supplying an isolated ac source to a onboard battery charger create a dc electrolysis issue or other problems ? I'm thinking not?

What I'm asking is besides from the possible safety concerns that come from this what boat issues are created by having a voltage difference between the ground and neutral?

I ask because my reverse polarity glows a little and I've noticed a little galvanic corrosion on the ss swim ladder, underwater zincs aren't doing bad.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Thanks. My knowledge is basic here. I understand the potential safety issue regarding you becoming the path to earth, but what about boat issues?

A galvanic isolator stops stray dc current coming through your ac shore power lead when plugged into a marina (assuming there's a problem). The potential stray dc current is separate from the ac just using the same line as your connected to all other boats to some degree? Can a generator (Honda with a floating ground) supplying an isolated ac source to a onboard battery charger create a dc electrolysis issue or other problems ? I'm thinking not?

What I'm asking is besides from the possible safety concerns that come from this what boat issues are created by having a voltage difference between the ground and neutral?

I ask because my reverse polarity glows a little and I've noticed a little galvanic corrosion on the ss swim ladder, underwater zincs aren't doing bad.

if the the gen was on land with a ground rod driven beside it. then yes you'd have the same issues as shore power. sitting on your deck. it's isolated. there is nowhere for stray current to go.