What to ground to?

Hagan

Hagan

Location
Salem, OR
Of course on cars you can just about ground your ground wire on almost anything, but a jet ski is fiberglass! Doesn't work too well:ugh2:

Anyway, what do I ground the ground wire too? Or should I just run it straight to the (-) battery post/cable?
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
If it's something expensive, I like to go directly to the battery. If not, I just connect it to something on the engine. I've got my bilge pump connected to one of the head bolts. I've seen countless people confuse it so I'll throw this out there... A ground is only a ground because it's connected to the negative battery terminal. On a car there is a huge grounding strap between the body and the engine and a huge cable between the engine and the battery.
 
Hagan

Hagan

Location
Salem, OR
Ok, so basically just flip the switch (its a bilge) and put the ground wire on bolts and see where its grounded too. Then add one of those ( O- ) connectors and tighten the bolt back up.
 
Rickster

Rickster

Matakana Menace
Location
Bay of Plenty, NZ
Hagan said:
Ok, so basically just flip the switch (its a bilge) and put the ground wire on bolts and see where its grounded too. Then add one of those ( O- ) connectors and tighten the bolt back up.
Click to expand...

Yep... The entire engine will be your ground, so pick a spot that is easiest to inspect and attached to for your needs...

I use an Intake bolt on both my SuperJets to ground the bilge to...
 
Hagan

Hagan

Location
Salem, OR
Awesome!

Also, did anyone run a fuse? It says 3A fuse but I don't think i've ever seen a fuse in that size. I'm going to solder on a fuse holder with a 5A fuse. Does anyone know if it gets wet it will be affected?
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
I used to run a switch but after going through roughly $50-$100 worth of waterproof switches, walmart switches, and quality switches, I think I'm just going to run a waterproof inline fuse and call it a day.
 
ADDict

ADDict

I ground my bilge to my bedplate, under the coupler cover. Just removed the paint/finish, smeared anti-corrosive grease on it, and pinched the lug between the bedplate and cover.
 
Hagan

Hagan

Location
Salem, OR
Waternut said:
I used to run a switch but after going through roughly $50-$100 worth of waterproof switches, walmart switches, and quality switches, I think I'm just going to run a waterproof inline fuse and call it a day.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i saw some inline fuses but decided against it.

I bought a $5 switch from Napa and it was a "Pico" and said it was waterproof and made for boats. So, i guess I'll see!:Banane13:
 
chriselmore_1

chriselmore_1

high on resin
Location
san jose ca
i bought an expensive switch from west marine. the guy told me how bad ass and stuff it was. it was sealed. it started corroding after my first ride at pismo w/ it. not to mention it shocks me every time i touch it
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
The problem with just about every waterproof switch is that they're waterproof on one side only. A boat switch will only get wet from dripping and rain. The underside of the dash stays relatively dry unlike our engine bays. I tried using a brand new switch at Daytona in 2008. It was corroded to hell and back after 5 minutes in the surf and quit working after about 10.
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
Hummm. I've been using the same switch for about 4 1/2 years now. Includes plenty of saltwater usage.
 
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