Grounding a Generator

[Bart]

I have a 2019 R-29CB and want to use a portable generator that requires grounding wire. Where would I ground the wire on the boat?

 

[Wee Venture]

I presume you will be running the output of the generator to your shore power input. Since the generator will then be serving as the *source* of power for your boat, my understanding is that you may bond the neutral to the ground right at the generator. The neutral and ground should not be bonded anywhere else on a boat but at the source. You can buy a special plug that has the neutral and ground already connected to plug into an unused receptacle on the generator to serve this purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Compan ... B07F4R7BDL

John

 

[Capt’nKarl]

I’m not quite sure you absolutely have to have a grounding wire but here’s my opinion. We have a R-23 and use the Honda EU2200i generator and have had no issues. The one thing to take caution is the GFCI breakers in the boat WILL NOT TRIP as they would on standard shore power should there be an issue. We are EXTREMELY CAREFUL (and basically do not use) any of the cabin outlets when we’re on generator power. Our main use of the generator is using the AC on the hook in hot and humid Florida summer weather and we’ve not had any issues.
Cheers,
Karl

 

[Bart]

I presume you will be running the output of the generator to your shore power input. Since the generator will then be serving as the *source* of power for your boat, my understanding is that you may bond the neutral to the ground right at the generator. The neutral and ground should not be bonded anywhere else on a boat but at the source. You can buy a special plug that has the neutral and ground already connected to plug into an unused receptacle on the generator to serve this purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Compan ... B07F4R7BDL

John

Thank you!

 

[Bart]

I’m not quite sure you absolutely have to have a grounding wire but here’s my opinion. We have a R-23 and use the Honda EU2200i generator and have had no issues. The one thing to take caution is the GFCI breakers in the boat WILL NOT TRIP as they would on standard shore power should there be an issue. We are EXTREMELY CAREFUL (and basically do not use) any of the cabin outlets when we’re on generator power. Our main use of the generator is using the AC on the hook in hot and humid Florida summer weather and we’ve not had any issues.
Cheers,
Karl

Thank you!

 

[Wee Venture]

Just to (hopefully) clarify...

Portable generators are normally sold with a floating neutral (not bonded to frame or ground). This is in case people use them in their home where their own electrical service is grounded to earth at the panel (neutral and ground wires are bonded together at the service entrance and connected to an actual rod or pipe into the earth). If the generator then had neutral and ground wires bonded together, you could get a ground fault current through your house wiring.

If you use the generator with a floating neutral on your boat (unbonded to ground) then, as Karl noted, your gfci receptacles will probably not trip and will have no real purpose. If you bond the neutral and ground wires together at the generator, however, all systems should operate normally including the gfci receptacles. This is ok to do on the boat because you are disconnected from shore power and its associated independent ground.

Bottom line: It is ok and probably a good idea to bond the neutral to the ground at the generator. If you do so, all electrical systems on the boat should work normally (assuming the generator has sufficient wattage to power them).

That is my understanding. If I am missing something, feel free to chime in.

John