Question about grounding my off grid MPPT charge controller

louisbanens

I have a ET3415N charge controller from EPSolar. Tha manual says:

"The eTracer is a negative ground controller. Any negative connection of solar or battery can be earth grounded as required. Grounding is recommended."

For what reason do I need to do this? For lightning or also other reasons. Do I have to put a metal pin into the ground?

BB.

Re: Question about grounding my off grid MPPT charge controller

The system will work fine ungrounded...

Primarily to protect against short circuits (battery + to metal sink, electrical conduit, etc.) and lightning/static charges (solar panels on a roof can pick up several hundred volts of charge from the natural electric field of the earth).

Portable/small systems are generally not grounded. Permanent systems (cabins/homes) are generally grounded.

For vehicles, generally the battery negative is grounded to the metal chassis.

Grounding can be a very complex subject--And grounding connections can get complicated too.

-Bill