Shop with Roton Marine

Shop With Roton Marine

Pacific Yacht Systems now sells products through our Roton Marine branded website with the same trusted service and expert product knowledge you rely on from our team. Visit Roton Marine to browse products and place your order.

Visit Roton Marine

What Size Should the Chassis Ground Wire Be for My Inverter/Charger Installation?

Question:

I'm a big fan of your very informative videos.  I'm reinstalling my Freedom 25 Charger/Inverter and I have confusion about the chassis ground.  The installation manual says to use AWG 8 on the chassis ground and run it to the AC  ground, which is how my system was set up originally. In your video about installing Inverter/chargers, you say the chassis ground should be no less than one size smaller than the largest DC supply to the inverter or AWG 1/0.  This is not mentioned anywhere in the instruction manual and I don't think the chassis ground lug could accommodate such a large ground cable.  Can you please clarify this for me?  I am very reluctant to move forward with my project when I have a doubt about the right procedure to follow.  Best wishes and thanks for all the valuable information you are putting out. - John

Answer:

ABYC definitely stipulates that your inverter/charger chassis ground be no less than one cable size smaller than the largest AC/DC cable connected to the device. The manual you are reading is most likely outdated or intended for an RV audience. I categorically agree with ABYC here. Undo the chassis ground connection point and use the nut and bolt as a connection point for your new correctly sized chassis ground to your inverter/charger. Make sure there is no paint between the lug and the inverter/charger. - Jeff