Hi Guys!
I'm planning my very first MV, and still have couple of things I need to figure out before I submit my application. One of them is the grounding of the portable generator.
I'll probably run a Honda EU2000iA generator to generate power for the LED strips (not sure how many, but probably not more than 5 reels -> ~250W) + a small sound system (500W). I just started thinking about the grounding when the vehicle is moving - Of course I'll be extra careful when wiring the MV, but how does DMV handle / inspect the grounding of the generator. While the vehicle is stopped we could (of course) use a ground spike and ground the darn generator, but how do MVs usually do this when they're moving?
I saw that the Honda EB2000IA has two GFCI outlets - would that do it?
Thanks!
Grounding a generator while moving (Mutant Vehichle)
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jabadabaduu
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some seeing eye
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Re: Grounding a generator while moving (Mutant Vehichle)
You could go to an all 12v battery system...
The ground terminal on the generator should be attached to the vehicle frame. That will allow the GFI's to function for undesired leakage through a person to the frame. Shorts between the neutral and the hot should be handled by the breakers. Neutral should not be attached to the vehicle frame. The electrical code specifies that. You can send an email to the DMV, but I doubt they are expecting any kind of ground to earth. There is an argument you might want to drag conductors for static energy mitigation or lightning protection if you have a high pointy mast or a very large conductive upper structure. Never heard specifically of people doing that though.
The ground terminal on the generator should be attached to the vehicle frame. That will allow the GFI's to function for undesired leakage through a person to the frame. Shorts between the neutral and the hot should be handled by the breakers. Neutral should not be attached to the vehicle frame. The electrical code specifies that. You can send an email to the DMV, but I doubt they are expecting any kind of ground to earth. There is an argument you might want to drag conductors for static energy mitigation or lightning protection if you have a high pointy mast or a very large conductive upper structure. Never heard specifically of people doing that though.
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
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Captain Goddammit
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Re: Grounding a generator while moving (Mutant Vehichle)
Honda EU generators have a floating ground. Neutral is not grounded. You could ground the generator's ground terminal to the vehicle chassis if you like but I don't think it will accomplish much. Honda EU generators often trip ground fault detectors because of this, and you can ground the neutral if you want to by making a male 120v plug with a jumper wire in it and plugging it in, but I wouldn't. Pretty much everyone just uses them as they are and I've never heard of a problem.
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."
Re: Grounding a generator while moving (Mutant Vehichle)
If you put a voltmeter on line-ground and neutral-ground, you will find that both will read an AC voltage in the ~55V range.
The Honda is strange fruit.
If you choose to ground to chassis (which I think is not really needed with the Honda), just drop a few chains, couple feet of dirt contact, from the chassis to the Playa and drag them around. Not ideal but better than nothing.
I'd also stay away from reactive loads.
The Honda is strange fruit.
If you choose to ground to chassis (which I think is not really needed with the Honda), just drop a few chains, couple feet of dirt contact, from the chassis to the Playa and drag them around. Not ideal but better than nothing.
I'd also stay away from reactive loads.