How do you earth a rib?

[Wightdiver]

Just treated myself to a new sounder/plotter.

The electric cable has three wires, live, neutral, and one that they refer to as a “drain wire”. It then states that the product must be correctly grounded.

Any thoughts, other than I should have not read the instructions?

Thanks

Andy

[Xk59D]

just use the batt neg terminal.

it is usually of importance on bigger boats that are using AC power sometimes (genny) and or connected to shore power.

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

just use the batt neg terminal.

it is usually of importance on bigger boats that are using AC power sometimes (genny) and or connected to shore power.

So I just connect the negative lead and the earth to the negative terminal?

[paintman]

Had this with my Dragonfly 7. The instructions for which said to connect the negative & the drain wire to the battery -ve terminal. I did - through a busbar on the main boat - & it works very well.
I've also used it on another boat (one of Rutland Water's fishing boats) connected just to a battery - the +ve to battery +ve and the -ve together with the drain wire connected to battery -ve - & it was fine with that as well.
Instructions for mine state "On vessels without an RF ground system the shield (drain) wire should be connected directly to the negative battery terminal".
Also states that it isn't suitable for positive earth systems but - and I'm talking cars here - I haven't seen one of those for years!

What have you bought?

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Wightdiver

So I just connect the negative lead and the earth to the negative terminal?

Yes.

As I said, it only really matters if using a Genny or shore power on board. Larger boats are usually designed with a ground to sea strap, via the keel normally and steel boats. Although it is possible with glass too and use the rudder or shafts.....anyway, not for a rib

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by paintman

Had this with my Dragonfly 7. The instructions for which said to connect the negative & the drain wire to the battery -ve terminal. I did - through a busbar on the main boat - & it works very well.
I've also used it on another boat (one of Rutland Water's fishing boats) connected just to a battery - the +ve to battery +ve and the -ve together with the drain wire connected to battery -ve - & it was fine with that as well.
Instructions for mine state "On vessels without an RF ground system the shield (drain) wire should be connected directly to the negative battery terminal".
Also states that it isn't suitable for positive earth systems but - and I'm talking cars here - I haven't seen one of those for years!

What have you bought?

Dragonfly 6, some great deals out there right now. Thanks for the advice, understand now.

[Last Tango]

The negative terminal is connected to the engine casing, engine casing is in contact with the water (electrolyte) that's at earth potential..........job done