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DIY Lithium upgrade - ground question

kolmansoiferkolmansoifer Member Posts: 5
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Hi all,
What a fun and interesting rabbit hole i've fallen down with this lithium upgrade.  I'm brand new to DC electricity but i'm learning tons and very much appreciate this forum.  Thanks.

Stock 2021 320s BD. 

I'm removing the lead acid and putting two BB 100ah LiFePO4s inside by the passenger wheel well.  I'm adding a 100/20 charge controller for an exterior solar port and 200 watts of suitcase panels.  I'll continue using my 75/10 charge controller and the existing roof solar.  i'm using a Victron Lynx Distributor and a Victron smart shunt.  Things are becoming clearer but I'll admit, grounding is still a bit confusing.  Haven't been able to wrap my head around it yet.  See below for some super noob ?s.  Thanks for your patience.

Does the removal of the stock battery remove my systems ground to the chassis, via the junction box?
If so, do I need to replace/replicate that lost ground when i install the new batteries?  Hope this makes sense....`
Certainly Im missing something very fundamental and simple but it has me confused enough to visit you all.

Thanks for any help,
KS





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Comments

  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 4,123
    Welcome to The Forums....
    The trailer ground is located where the junction box is behind the front tub.  And, that is the extent of my answer to your question!  How that relates to moving the batteries inside...someone else will have to answer.

    This discussion is about the grounding setup in the trailers, with different years compared.

    These threads are from other owners who moved their batteries inside of a 320.  Lots of wiring layout discussions, but it is unclear to me if any of these discuss the grounding thoughts you have.


    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Yoshi_TABYoshi_TAB Member Posts: 468
    edited April 28
    Hi,

    Yes, you need to reconnect a battery ground when you move your batteries inside. The easiest place to do this is to connect it to the ground bus bar located to the right, behind the WFCO (yellow circle).  This is where all the negatives for the devices in your TAB are connected.  There is a connection from this busbar that runs directly to the junction box.  So it's essentially connecting it to the same point.  Great job on your install.  It frees up a lot of space in the front tub.




    2025 360 CS (awaiting delivery)
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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  • kolmansoiferkolmansoifer Member Posts: 5
    Yoshi_TAB said:
    Hi,

    Yes, you need to reconnect a battery ground when you move your batteries inside. The easiest place to do this is to connect it to the ground bus bar located to the right, behind the WFCO (yellow circle).  This is where all the negatives for the devices in your TAB are connected.  There is a connection from this busbar that runs directly to the junction box.  So it's essentially connecting it to the same point.  Great job on your install.  It frees up a lot of space in the front tub.




    Thanks so much for the reply.
    Can the new ground be from the neg side of my Lynx Distributor/buss bar or does it have to come directly from the neg of my new batteries?
    What size wire should i use?  

    Thanks again,
    KS
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  • Yoshi_TABYoshi_TAB Member Posts: 468
    Hi,

    10 AWG size wire is fine for a 30 amp DC circuit.  That is what should be already used.  Yes, if your Lynx is tied into the battery, you can run the wire from it to TAB busbar.  If I recall correctly, on my OEM busbar only had one remaining opening.  
    2025 360 CS (awaiting delivery)
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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