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Grounding a Z-14 dual battery configuration in an RV-10

1949MGTC

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I was planning on a dual earthx z-14 style power scheme with a forest of tabs for grounding at the firewall. For those with a similar approach did you run two 4 awg grounds to the forest of tabs or did you tie the grounds together at the batteries a run one 4awg ground wire to the forest of tabs? Batteries will be in the tail cone.
 
My 10 has two batteries in the back. I ran short wires to the frame and grounded them there. Forest of tabs is bolted to the firewall which is part of ther frame grd. I would never consider running ground wires fwd. Frame grounding for the main ground buss is a pretty standard practice on all kinds of vehicles and works very well if attention is paid to connection quality.
 
I went the other way and ran dedicated ground to the forest of tabs on the firewall.

Modified Z-14, no issues.
 
I went the other way and ran dedicated ground to the forest of tabs on the firewall.

Modified Z-14, no issues.
Bob,

I’m confused. It sounds like you did what I was planning with z-14 and a dedicated forest of tabs on the firewall. Are your batteries in the Tailcone? Did you run two grounds from both batteries forward?

Go Boilers!
AAE 1987
 
I used the longeron. The F-1013-R runs from the baggage compartment to the firewall. I fabricated a 1x .125 angle that provided a secure mount for both ground lugs in the aft section of the fuse, this was riveted to the aft end of the longeron.. Then I used the hole in forward section of the longeron that was intended for the forward install of the rudder pedal mounts to attach a cable that connects to my forest of grounds and the firewall and the grounding braid to the engine.
This is like what LR172 posted above, but I wanted to ensure I had a robust mount for the ground cables that would provide a rigid fix. You can see the two holes for each of the two grounds coming off the dual earthX batteries I plan to use.
 

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Bob,

I’m confused. It sounds like you did what I was planning with z-14 and a dedicated forest of tabs on the firewall. Are your batteries in the Tailcone? Did you run two grounds from both batteries forward?

Go Boilers!
AAE 1987
Two EarthX ETX00's in the tailcone. Battery grounds are common in the tailcone. One #2 AWG ground to a power bushing on the firewall. The cabin side of the power bushing goes to the forest of tabs, the engine side of the bushing goes to the engine case using 2 separate #4 awg cables from the power bushing.
 
Locally grounded in the tailcone here.
I have a forrest of tabs equivalent that is bolted to the firewall.
Engine has two ground straps to the firewall.
Nuckolls:

IMG_3190.jpeg
 
Two EarthX ETX00's in the tailcone. Battery grounds are common in the tailcone. One #2 AWG ground to a power bushing on the firewall. The cabin side of the power bushing goes to the forest of tabs, the engine side of the bushing goes to the engine case using 2 separate #4 awg cables from the power bushing.
Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the clarity.
 
Two EarthX ETX00's in the tailcone. Battery grounds are common in the tailcone. One #2 AWG ground to a power bushing on the firewall. The cabin side of the power bushing goes to the forest of tabs, the engine side of the bushing goes to the engine case using 2 separate #4 awg cables from the power bushing.
Same set-up in my 10. (Copied Bob's diagram) Z-14 calls for a #4 but since that is normally FWF mounted less of a voltage drop. Upsized to number 2 for the added length. Works well.
 
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