LV2424 Anyway to ground this in an RV?

[Woggs1]

Got my LV2424 all hooked up and running in my RV. I have the AC output running through a GFI breaker. When I plug in my AC tester it is showing open ground, is that normal? Is there anyway to ground the LV2424 in an RV?

 

[mapguy525]

From the manual http://www.mppsolar.com/manual/SPLIT PHASE LV/LV2424 hybrid manual-20190717.pdf is the following statement:

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS -This inverter/charger should be connected to a permanent grounded wiring system.

On an RV this is technically not possible unless connected to shore power.

EDIT - this is all the information provided by the manufacturer regarding grounding and or equipment bonding of the device. It isn't much for guidance.

Samlex provides the following information on grounding and or bonding issues in a mobile environment.
https://www.samlexamerica.com/suppo...oGroundSwitchinginRVandMarineApplications.pdf
https://www.samlexamerica.com/support/application_notes.aspx#grounding

 

[Woggs1]

From the manual http://www.mppsolar.com/manual/SPLIT PHASE LV/LV2424 hybrid manual-20190717.pdf is the following statement:

On an RV this is technically not possible unless connected to shore power.

EDIT - this is all the information provided by the manufacturer regarding grounding and or equipment bonding of the device. It isn't much for guidance.

Samlex provides the following information on grounding and or bonding issues in a mobile environment.
https://www.samlexamerica.com/suppo...oGroundSwitchinginRVandMarineApplications.pdf
https://www.samlexamerica.com/support/application_notes.aspx#grounding

Thanks for that link, good stuff although my head hurts after reading it .

From the link:

When operating as an inverter, the current carrying conductor of the Inverter Section that is connected to the Neutral Out connector of
the Inverter Charger should be bonded to the metal chassis of the inverter by the “Neutral to Ground Bond Switching Relay”. As the metal
chassis of the inverter is bonded to the RV Ground (chassis of the RV) or to the Boat Ground (DC Negative Grounding Bus Bar and the Main
AC Grounding Bus Bar are tied together in a boat and this is called the “Boat Ground”), this current carrying conductor of the Inverter
Section will become the Grounded Conductor (GC) or the Neutral of the Inverter Section. This meets NEC requirements.• When
in the Pass Through Mode / Utility Mode, the Neutral of the shore power will be connected to the Neutral Out connector of the Inverter
Charger. At the same time, the “Neutral to Ground Bond Switching Relay”will un-bond (disconnect) the Neutral Out connector of the Inverter
Charger from the chassis of the Inverter Charger. This will ensure that the Grounded Conductor (GC) / Neutral of the shore power is bonded
to the Earth Ground at one single point at the location of the AC Power Distribution System of the Marina / RV Park.

So I read this as when using the LV2424 inverter, the AC neutral (white wire) should be connected (bonded) to the DC ground (vehicle chassis) but when plugged into shore power, it should not. Am I on the right track here? Is anyone using a "Neutral to Ground Bond Switching Relay" to accomplish this or is one built into the LV2424 (doubt it, because I have an open ground)?

 

[mapguy525]

yes, you are moving in the right direction.

 

[madmax]

I've seen some guys run a grounding kit.... Basically a woven copper strap that is very close to the ground . Mostly see it on wannabe race cars though

 

[heirloom hamlet]

Got my LV2424 all hooked up and running in my RV. I have the AC output running through a GFI breaker. When I plug in my AC tester it is showing open ground, is that normal? Is there anyway to ground the LV2424 in an RV?

What amp gfi breaker did you use/choose?

 

[mapguy525]

review this thread for one solution to the grounding/ bonding issue of using an AIO for a mobile application.
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/having-some-difficulty-with-breaker-fuse-placement.8328/

 

[mapguy525]

I've seen some guys run a grounding kit.... Basically a woven copper strap that is very close to the ground . Mostly see it on wannabe race cars though

This is not a solution. The situation is maintaining ground/bond during power inversion. UL 458 devices make this easier.