Ground wire on an aluminum boat

sberl

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2017
Messages
97
Hello all,
I'm restoring an aluminum boat and cannot seem to find an answer to my question. The diagram below is from the switch panel I purchased. Where should I connect the black (earth) wire to? To a negative terminal on the fuse block or attach it to something metal which is connected to the hull? Or is it neither of those two? Thanks in advance! Snap19.jpg
 

TyeeMan

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
849
The negative terminal on the fuse block should go directly to the battery so you could connect it to that. Or run a wire to the negative terminal on the battery.

Never, never connect any ground wires to the boat/chassis itself, you'll be in for all sorts of electrical headaches.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,254
to expand on Tyee's comment of never

if you ground accessories to the hull of the boat, you can watch the boat literally disappear in a very short period of time as galvanic corrosion eats the hull.
 

sberl

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2017
Messages
97
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks much guys!
 
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