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george_tlc · 05-19-08, 01:32 PM

I "think" that given you are not connected to the grid (running from battery) that there are no legalities in terms of you wiring things up. Obviously you don't want to electrocute someone (yourself included)...

Splicing the 3 leads from the fan to a plug that you then plug into the inverter is just fine. BUT, do note that there is no "ground" in this case... unless you drive a big copper stake from say the battery -ve into the ground (a few feet in) and then use the third prong on the plug. That of course begs the question of whether the inverter has the 3rd prong actually connected to its battery -ve input...

It is quite possible that the 3rd prong on the inverter is only there to allow 3 prong devices to be plugged in and beyond that the 3rd prong just floats. Never really looked into the guts of a typical inverter.

Edit:
Ok on a bit more reading, it is very likely that the ground prong in the inverter is tied to the chassis of the inverter and to the Battery -ve input. Apparently the NEC (national electric code) requires that for fixed inverter (and generator) installations that the chassis/neutral of the inverter (generator) be wired to ground (copper stake in ground would take care of that). This would apply to your battery/inverter/fan in your barn.

cheers,
george.

05-19-08, 01:32 PM	#2
george_tlc IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA TLCA# 8068 Posts: 217	I "think" that given you are not connected to the grid (running from battery) that there are no legalities in terms of you wiring things up. Obviously you don't want to electrocute someone (yourself included)... Splicing the 3 leads from the fan to a plug that you then plug into the inverter is just fine. BUT, do note that there is no "ground" in this case... unless you drive a big copper stake from say the battery -ve into the ground (a few feet in) and then use the third prong on the plug. That of course begs the question of whether the inverter has the 3rd prong actually connected to its battery -ve input... It is quite possible that the 3rd prong on the inverter is only there to allow 3 prong devices to be plugged in and beyond that the 3rd prong just floats. Never really looked into the guts of a typical inverter. Edit: Ok on a bit more reading, it is very likely that the ground prong in the inverter is tied to the chassis of the inverter and to the Battery -ve input. Apparently the NEC (national electric code) requires that for fixed inverter (and generator) installations that the chassis/neutral of the inverter (generator) be wired to ground (copper stake in ground would take care of that). This would apply to your battery/inverter/fan in your barn. cheers, george. __________________ where ever you go, there you are.... '97 S/C White CE, locked^3, sliders,arb,kaymar, m12000,dual batteries, LEDs, etc..... ki6ibx http://www.george4wd.taskled.com Last edited by george_tlc; 05-19-08 at 01:40 PM.