7 Comments
Bill maas
Once the isolator is in place is there a gauge to let you know that it is working, and if no gauge how can you tell it is working?
Peter Kennedy
This is not a self testing isolator. There were a number of self testing models available for a number of years before the ABYC allowed failsafe ones to be used in lieu of self testing. The self testing ones were expensive and difficult to install and so were not very popular This isolator comes with detailed testing instructions that is suggests you do before installation and again annually.
Steve
Can a GI cause a battery charger powered from the AC distribution panel to malfunction?
Peter Kennedy
No, I don't see any way that could happen. The galvanic isolator is on the incoming ground wire from shore. No AC current flows in the ground wire unless there is a fault. The purpose of the galvanic isolator is to block small but unwanted low voltage DC currents.
Marilyn Pierce
New codes in effect for new docks being built require a GFCI to be installed at the main breaker, which trips everytime we plug in our shore power. Can the main hull bonding wire be disconnected on our boat and still operate normally?
Peter Kennedy
The AC ground is an essential safety component of your electrical system and disconnecting it could lead to injury or death for which you would be found liable, so the answer to your question is no.
John Bierer
should you use a Galvanic isolator in fresh water? I have a houseboat on a lake that is hooked up to shore power and I have also installed solar when out one the lake.
Peter Kennedy
Yes. You still use zincs in fresh water so you can protect them with a galvanic isolator.
Hugh MacCallum
Is a GI required in a boat which was never electrically "bonded" ?
Peter Kennedy
It is an ABYC safety requirement to have the AC ground connected to the engine block. The simple explanation I tell my customers is that if you sit on the engine and reach over to touch the air conditioner you want the two of them to already be electrically connected so you are not the one making the circuit. If you choose to omit this to save a few bucks on a galvanic isolator it might not seem such a wise choice if someone gets electrocuted.
Vincent F Rakstis
Peter is wrong about saving zink's in fresh water. They will save themselves. Ion's will not flow in fresh water. It requires an electrolite. Water must have a salt content or a very high tannin (acid) content to have an electrolitic action. Capt. Vince Rakstis, Ret. MS
You can subscribe to get automatic notifications of new blog posts, this is separate from a newsletter subscription.