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12-05-2019, 07:12 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
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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?
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12-05-2019, 07:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 208
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That’s a big fat NO. You can ground to anything metal like the chassis.
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12-05-2019, 08:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
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The bathroom light must have a 12volt ground, use that.
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12-05-2019, 08:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,299
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
The bathroom light must have a 12volt ground, use that.
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Sure. At the light fixture !
__________________
Retired. 31 year of automotive engineering for one of the Detroit 3, specializing in Powertrain Control Systems.
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12-05-2019, 11:17 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hivoltage98
That’s a big fat NO.....
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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?
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12-05-2019, 11:25 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
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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.
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12-06-2019, 03:34 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
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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.
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12-06-2019, 05:33 AM
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#8
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,223
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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
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12-07-2019, 09:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
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.
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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
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12-07-2019, 09:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Just There
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?
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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.
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12-07-2019, 10:34 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 795
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CAVIE: How about helping out here instead of being so sanctimonious.
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12-07-2019, 11:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN
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?
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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.
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12-07-2019, 11:41 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 795
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Thank you! I learned something.
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12-08-2019, 01:13 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie
Lay the tools down. Step back away from the tools PLEASE!!!!
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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.
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