Battery Grounded to Painted Metal

[hellohithere]

Has anyone noticed Ford grounds the battery to painted metal? I've seen a few Ford models like this. I'm no expert, but shouldn't the battery be grounded to bare metal?

 

[Yupster Dog]

shouldn't the battery be grounded to bare metal?

Depends on how it is attached, is it screwed in to a nut that's welded to the other side?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Has anyone noticed Ford grounds the battery to painted metal? I've seen a few Ford models like this. I'm no expert, but shouldn't the battery be grounded to bare metal?

I bought a new 2014 Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ (new model style) and it was the subject of a safety recall, because a ground cable for the electric steering system was attached to a ground stud that had been painted the same color as the car (on the left strut tower).

The repair involved removing the nut and cable, cleaning the paint off of the stud, and reinstalling the cable and nut.

 

[5280tunage]

Funny thing about this post is that I've read many be places and watched several videos where after market AV specialists have had really bad luck with ground resistance and issues in these. They have usually suggested that you creat your own, grinding away paint or better yet, running a ground with your +12v all the way to the battery. Lots of issues with ground loops, low voltage, etc.

 

[lbv150]

Funny thing about this post is that I've read many be places and watched several videos where after market AV specialists have had really bad luck with ground resistance and issues in these. They have usually suggested that you creat your own, grinding away paint or better yet, running a ground with your +12v all the way to the battery. Lots of issues with ground loops, low voltage, etc.

Never, ever, ever, run an equipment or accessory ground back to the battery post always to the vehicle chassis. If the main ground cable has an issue, the equipment/accessory ground will have stater and vehicle loads running through it. I actually seen a customer's vehicle burn up for that reason. It was a two way radio with a roof mount antenna... along with the radio destroyed, the coax cable lit up like a fuse and caught the headliner on fire as the ground ended up going from the radio to the roof mount via the coax braid.

 

[5280tunage]

Never, ever, ever, run an equipment or accessory ground back to the battery post always to the vehicle chassis. If the main ground cable has an issue, the equipment/accessory ground will have stater and vehicle loads running through it. I actually seen a customer's vehicle burn up for that reason. It was a two way radio with a roof mount antenna... along with the radio destroyed, the coax cable lit up like a fuse and caught the headliner on fire as the ground ended up going from the radio to the roof mount via the coax braid.

To each his own, I used to do professional stereo systems for a living and if we found enough chassis ground issues, we would. Resistance on the ground can cause devices to overwork and heat up fast. There are literally very well known stereo shops out there doing this right now on these because of poor chassis grounds and the aluminum everywhere (YouTube search it). Here are ways of protecting the circuit in both directions. Theoretically it's DC so power is going to only flow one direction under normal circumstances, and things like active breakers can safely secure both sides.

Oh, and to be clear, I've seen cars burn up from people running +12v through a door frame. Lots of ways to burn a cat.

 

[lbv150]

To each his own, I used to do professional stereo systems for a living and if we found enough chassis ground issues, we would. Resistance on the ground can cause devices to overwork and heat up fast. There are literally very well known stereo shops out there doing this right now on these because of poor chassis grounds and the aluminum everywhere (YouTube search it). Here are ways of protecting the circuit in both directions. Theoretically it's DC so power is going to only flow one direction under normal circumstances, and things like active breakers can safely secure both sides.

Oh, and to be clear, I've seen cars burn up from people running +12v through a door frame. Lots of ways to burn a cat.

Yep the classic car stereo shop installs. Hacks. Always a good laugh to see one. When they come into our shop we have to rewire them the correct way. We do public safety vehicle up fits with electronics, lights and communications. Grounding to the battery is an absolute no go with major manufactures like Motorola, Harris, Kenwood and others. All the equipment is shipped from the factories with short ground leads and 20' battery positive leads to keep unknowing installers from making a mistake. It is just good engineering practice and common electrical sense. You can run a ground to the same bond point as the battery negative cable on the chassis, not the engine, but never to the battery negative post.

 

[wakeboarder]

Never, ever, ever, run an equipment or accessory ground back to the battery post always to the vehicle chassis. If the main ground cable has an issue, the equipment/accessory ground will have stater and vehicle loads running through it. I actually seen a customer's vehicle burn up for that reason. It was a two way radio with a roof mount antenna... along with the radio destroyed, the coax cable lit up like a fuse and caught the headliner on fire as the ground ended up going from the radio to the roof mount via the coax braid.

I’m guessing that there was also a 2nd fault with the radio or radio installation. In order for the ground path to conduct current, it means that it would have had to be connected in two locations. This could have been from a chaffed wire or something connected wrong. It would have created a ground loop in normal situations. This in itself can lead to electrical issues.

 

[5280tunage]

I’m guessing that there was also a 2nd fault with the radio or radio installation. In order for the ground path to conduct current, it means that it would have had to be connected in two locations. This could have been from a chaffed wire or something connected wrong. It would have created a ground loop in normal situations. This in itself can lead to electrical issues.

Exactly. Physically what is the difference between using the same ground point vs. The battery terminal? Nothing, they are directly connected. Again, to each his own. Especially in multiple battery installs with multiple caps, often the factory ground to chassis isn't even large enough for the overall output.