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Wait a Minute, What’s That Symbol?

I was just about ready to hook up my new inverter when I noticed another connection on the back with a little symbol next to it.

The instructions for the inverter basically say, “Have a qualified electrician install it” and this discovery is a perfect example why.

I have done tons of research into this project. I’ve spoken to the manufacturer, friends who know more than a thing or two about RV electricity, and I have scoured forums. I think that after all that research, more than one person would have noticed that connection and symbol and said, “That can’t possibly be important.

Well, that connection and symbol surely are important and I have a ton more research to do. My mother knows a lot about 120V systems, but not 12V systems, and I know that grounding is different for both. Quick research tells me that this connection isn’t just a matter of connecting a copper wire from the inverter to the chassis.

To make matters worse, the inverter instruction manual doesn’t make a single mention of the ground connection, not even in the diagram that explains read outs and connections on the unit.

So I’ll get all the wiring passed today, but it’s doubtful I’ll be getting the inverter in. Darn, what a complicated project!

5 thoughts on “Wait a Minute, What’s That Symbol?”

  1. Good Morning Rae ,
    (on the west coast)

    Hoping for you & your mother that you get your project finished soon, without another snag. Better a snag now, than a big snag & melted wires or worst down the way.

    Thanks for checking in 🙂 .

    Wishing you the best.

    Vicki

  2. Is this ground connection in addition to the negative battery wire terminal on the inverter? The inverter needs to be connected to both the “+” and the “-” battery terminals with heavy gauge wire. Is this an additional ground connection?

    • Croft, it is an additional connection that’s not even referred to in the instruction manual. I will wire it to the frame, just in case.

  3. If so, then they are probably asking for the cabinet of the inverter to be grounded. This can simply be attached to the frame of the motorhome with a separate wire.

    It is important that the main 12 volt input of the inverter be two equal size (large) cables connected directly to the pos and neg battery terminals.

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