Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > RV SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FORUMS > RV Systems & Appliances
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-05-2019, 07:12 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
DC ground to GFCI?

I am wiring in a tiny DC fan for the composting toilet. I would like to do this without any new holes, so it could be restored to traditional toilet; take the 12v from the bathroom light switch and connect the negative side to the GFCI outlet ground wire. Is there any reason this cannot/should not be done?
Just There is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 12-05-2019, 07:21 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 208
That’s a big fat NO. You can ground to anything metal like the chassis.
hivoltage98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 08:09 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
The bathroom light must have a 12volt ground, use that.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 08:18 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,299
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat View Post
The bathroom light must have a 12volt ground, use that.
Sure. At the light fixture !
__________________
Retired. 31 year of automotive engineering for one of the Detroit 3, specializing in Powertrain Control Systems.
theoldwizard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 11:17 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by hivoltage98 View Post
That’s a big fat NO.....
Please explain why. The ground for the AC circuits, including the GFCI, is bonded to the chassis, right? Is it a code thing, a safety issue or will it disrupt the GFI function?
Just There is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 11:25 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
I can snake a ground from somewhere, it just doesn’t make sense to run another wire if there is already a ground at the convenient location of the 12v power (provided it is safe to do so). Please explain.
Just There is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 03:34 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
The ground in 120 volt wiring is a non current carrying, safety conductor.

Electricity being what it is, if a appliance developes a short to ground, that 120 volt current is looking for a way to ground. You don't want it taking a shortcut thru your light gauge, 12 volt wiring, behind your toilet.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 05:33 AM   #8
Community Moderator
 
Spdracr39's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,223
Just to reiterate what has been said above, it is always a terrible idea to mix 120v grounds and 12 volt grounds. They do not work the same way and create not only safety issues but fire hazards. And yes they both go to the chassis but its what happens before it gets there that can be the issue.
__________________
2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0t 9 speed AWD
Spdracr39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 09:34 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat View Post
The ground in 120 volt wiring is a non current carrying, safety conductor.

Electricity being what it is, if a appliance developes a short to ground, that 120 volt current is looking for a way to ground. You don't want it taking a shortcut thru your light gauge, 12 volt wiring, behind your toilet.

I don't think the 120VAC system is grounded to the RV chassis, as they are bonded together in the main breaker panel.Such chassis grounding can create what is called a "hot skin" if anything is amiss. Is that correct?
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA." My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 09:55 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
cavie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just There View Post
I am wiring in a tiny DC fan for the composting toilet. I would like to do this without any new holes, so it could be restored to traditional toilet; take the 12v from the bathroom light switch and connect the negative side to the GFCI outlet ground wire. Is there any reason this cannot/should not be done?
Lay the tools down. Step back away from the tools PLEASE!!!!
__________________
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323 BHS. Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale MA. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor homes.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 10:34 PM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 795
CAVIE: How about helping out here instead of being so sanctimonious.
imnprsd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 11:16 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
cavie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN View Post

I don't think the 120VAC system is grounded to the RV chassis, as they are bonded together in the main breaker panel.Such chassis grounding can create what is called a "hot skin" if anything is amiss. Is that correct?
The 120 volt system is ABSOLUTLY Bonded to the chassis. If it wasn't and the skin became hot then you would become the grounding wire. OUCH! The neutral is isolated from the grounds. They are bonded together only at the main service panel.

The "hot skin" is eliminated by the bonding of the chassis.
__________________
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323 BHS. Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale MA. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor homes.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 11:41 PM   #13
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 795
Thank you! I learned something.
imnprsd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2019, 01:13 AM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie View Post
Lay the tools down. Step back away from the tools PLEASE!!!!
A little late for that. I’ve already installed a transfer switch, inverter, shunt for battery monitor and solar, but thanks for your concern and input. I was looking for the specifics of “why/why not?” and I appreciate those who clarified.
Just There is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
No AC to GFCI outlet string, but GFCI is good Eric1959 RV Systems & Appliances 12 03-21-2019 08:38 PM
Bounder: 2016 Bounder 33C - GFCI keeps tripping (Internal to RV, not house GFCI) nehmia Fleetwood Owner's Forum 8 10-22-2016 07:34 AM
Positive ground or negative ground? 1010 iRV2.com General Discussion 43 07-14-2015 11:29 AM
Ground fault (GFCI 20Amp plug) alpinejimy Alpine Coach Owner's Forum 4 03-06-2015 10:10 AM
no ground ok-ground trips gfi FLYING BUTCH iRV2.com General Discussion 14 06-01-2011 06:52 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.