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X-Shark (9/26/2008)Gnwdad Have you talked to your EE buddy at work about the GFI and our setup's?
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I just talked to him and he said that a GFCI is a must and he would not dare to go without one.
But,it will not work unless the generator becomes grounded.Through the boat is not a true ground so it will not work the same, but if the generator was to become grounded and you did not have the GFCI it would be bad.He said that a GFCI measures the voltage on the neutral and compares it to the voltage measured on the hot leg and, it has to be within 5 mv or it will trip the GFCI. With the generatornot grounded it should not trip the GFCI.
If there was a exposed wire on one of the lights and you touched it the GFCI would not trip unless you or something conductive was also touching the generator. In an aluminum boat the generator would be grounded to the boat if the rubber feet were removed from the generator (DO NOT REMOVE THEM) andyou would be shocked if you did not have the GFCI and there was a short in the wiring. On a wet fiberglass boat you could have a short and not know it until you touched the generator or if there was enoughwater touching the generator to make a conductive path.