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Solar build—Where Is The Best Chassis Ground in the Front Area of Truck Bed?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by cactushead, Feb 18, 2022.

  1. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:04 PM
    #1
    cactushead

    cactushead [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    Member:
    #164087
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB 4x4 TRDOR
    Front hitch, 5100's, 885's, Snugtop XV, Slimline II, Sumos, bed platform, AAL, interior LED lights in cab and bed, exterior camp/backup LED's, Rigid DOT Fogs and D2 Pro Spots, Mega Ultra +130 bulbs, heavy-duty fog light, spot light, and low beam wiring harness, Weathertech mats, Re-routed dif breather and A/C drip line, dash cam, front and side cameras, anytime rear camera and nav, Blue Seas fused bus bars to cab and bed, heavy-duty bus bar w/Anderson quick disconnects under the hood for powering winch, solar, air compressor, and other accessories.
    I am putting an auxiliary LiFePO4 battery in the front corner of my truck bed. All of the outgoing circuits loop back to the negative busbar, then to the negative battery post through a 1/0 AWG wire. Unfortunately, the Victron 30A non-isolated DC-DC charger requires a chassis ground. I noticed the truck bed is attached to the frame with 4, 1/2” bolts. I want to use one of these bolts to attach my 2 AWG ground wire. I know this is not ideal, since there isn't direct contact to the frame. However, the bolts are beefy and the nuts are bonded to the frame. What are your thoughts and/or suggestions?

    Both the solar charge controller and the inverter have small screw terminals on the cases for a separate earth-ground wire. I was originally going to use a 10 AWG wire, but then I read in the inverter manual that it should be no more than one size down from the size of the positive/negative wires. The recommended wire size for my inverter is 2 AWG, so that means the ground wire should be at least 4 AWG. For a wire that size, I am surprised that the lug post is only a size 8. What size wires did you use to ground your inverter?
     
  2. Feb 19, 2022 at 6:48 AM
    #2
    GSRON

    GSRON Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2010
    Member:
    #30336
    Messages:
    309
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR Cement
    Quikfix seat risers and lic plate mount, MESO interior and stage 1 tails, glove box and console dividers, shelf for center console, FACTOR 55 hitch link, TC bed stiffeners, OE bed mat,
    There's a factory ground (on my 2019 TRDOR) on top of the frame rail just to the rear of the upper rear shock mount, driver's side.
     
  3. Feb 19, 2022 at 7:25 PM
    #3
    cactushead

    cactushead [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    Member:
    #164087
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB 4x4 TRDOR
    Front hitch, 5100's, 885's, Snugtop XV, Slimline II, Sumos, bed platform, AAL, interior LED lights in cab and bed, exterior camp/backup LED's, Rigid DOT Fogs and D2 Pro Spots, Mega Ultra +130 bulbs, heavy-duty fog light, spot light, and low beam wiring harness, Weathertech mats, Re-routed dif breather and A/C drip line, dash cam, front and side cameras, anytime rear camera and nav, Blue Seas fused bus bars to cab and bed, heavy-duty bus bar w/Anderson quick disconnects under the hood for powering winch, solar, air compressor, and other accessories.
    Thanks! This location will work great for me. I’ll be using the one on the passenger side.
     
  4. Apr 23, 2023 at 1:53 PM
    #4
    Hunter-Bob

    Hunter-Bob New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2023
    Member:
    #423092
    Messages:
    1
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD OR
    Do you have a picture of where you ended up grounding this by any chance? I'm working on the same thing right now. Thanks
     

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