Grounding On Electric Motor coversion

[SailnParadise]

Im drawing up my electric rewire and dont know the beat place for my ground. All resources say the engine block. But cant do that in my case. Amy suggestions?

[seandepagnier]

what is the ground for? radio? lightning strike?


the engine is not the best for either of these either so don't worry you aren't missing anything.

[misfits]

I have mine connected to a keel bolt

[GordMay]

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/galler...&cutoffdate=-1

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/galler...&cutoffdate=-1

[guyrj33]

I suggest installing a ground post for your large cable connections.

[danhunt]

Are you saying you are removing your engine and installing an Electric propulsion system?

[zstine]

Yeah, I'm not following the question. Negative returns go back to the battery. For grounding, you need a connection to sea water. An engine, and I would assume an electric motor, would normally provide a connection to sea water via the output shaft. Some shaft saver couplings break this circuit and there are 'brushed' style products that you can connect to your shaft to provide a ground. A keel bolt is another option, as has been said, assuming your keel is not encapsulated. You could install a dedicated grounding plate external as well... just not sure what you want to do

[Calaban-Alleria]

Not sure if this will help at all but as a practical principal - while all grounds will ultimately tie back to the battery negative - it is desirable to keep small current circuits separate from the grounds that carry larger and especially intermittent currents - bringing them together only close to the battery. This minimizes interference between devices either impulsive noise or ground bounce as large loads are switched.


Cheers.

[Reefmagnet]

Engines need a ground because they are designed that way. The starter motor and sensors typically require the negative pole of the battery to be connected to the block.


This is not a requirement of an electric motor, which will have terminals isolated from the chassis of the motor. Just use bus bars of sufficient capacity to distribute your power.

[SailnParadise]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Engines need a ground because they are designed that way. The starter motor and sensors typically require the negative pole of the battery to be connected to the block.


This is not a requirement of an electric motor, which will have terminals isolated from the chassis of the motor. Just use bus bars of sufficient capacity to distribute your power.

Ok. So bus bars it is. Thanks! No something covered in either of the sailboat electrical books I read

[SailnParadise]

Next idiot question. Will I need a transmission?

[SailnParadise]

Is a gear reduction system the same thing/replacement?