C26 Grounding Plate?

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:31 pm

While tracing some wiring in Copacetic I found the connection to an outside hull plate in the port side settee. It looks like it should have a pretty large cable attached but there is none.

My question is, what size wire and where should it go?

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:48 am

There are a few threads on the board on the subject - here's one

http://www.chryslersailors.com/discussi ... =lightning

Also that one links to another one inside it.

Can't remember, but I think I had a pic of EE's setup somewhere in a thread - might find it with a search for "lightning"

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:12 am

Thanks for the link, I found the description of EE's system and it seems quite different from what I'm seeing.

I assumed this was a stock part, but you know what happens when you assume.

I'll figure something out, probably with some form of air gap resistance. This seems the best of both worlds to me, no ground for attracting lightning, but if struck, lightning will easily jump the gap to ground.

robinsonzak · Post by **robinsonzak** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:09 am

Are there threaded posts on the outside to attach a zinc to? A zinc plate would be my first thought, in which case it would be connected to the ground side of the electrical system.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:58 am

I'll take a closer look, and get some pics, this weekend.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:08 am

That's how EE's terminates. Under the stern berth is a zinc that is bolted to the outer hull.

I don't believe for a minute that a bolt whould follow my grounding wires to that zinc, tho - the cables run from the chainplate down behind the settee backs, then turn 90 degrees and follow along the hull, passing thru the little bulkhead under the ladder, then turning 90 again to the zinc.

I just bet if it ever got hit there'd be a light show all in the cabin. Considered changing it to a plate on each side directly in line and under the chain plates, but never did it.