Question about grounding my off grid MPPT charge controller

louisbanens
louisbanens Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
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?
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    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
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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