VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt Grounding/bonding strap

I recently purchased a 12 inch bonding strap with 5/16 inch holes at each end.
What is the best way to attach this strap to the body? Should I just drill a 5/16 inch hole, clean paint away, use 5/16 bolt, nut, lock washer and washer? Or, should I use something like a “single stud ground junction block”.

Thanks,
Curt

Regularly type hardware should work just fine. I would consider using either internal or external tooth star washers rather than lock washers. Those bite into the metal better.

I assume that you are using this to connect the engine block to the chassis. If so, I would spend some time looking for a location that uses existing hardware on the block and the frame. You might need slightly longer bolts but it saves drilling a new hole.

Thanks for that information Rusty.

I’m attaching it to the firewall area, near the heater mount bolts.
I found a heater bolt that was in an absolute perfect spot. I don’t know how I missed it! I removed some paint and polished it for good electrical contact.

On a recent post I was having charging problems. It was never resolved so I shipped off my generator for a rebuild.
I’ve got a rebuilt 6 volt generator coming back from Filling Station this Monday. I’m taking back my voltage regulator that was made in China. I installed a “premium” voltage regulator (made in USA) from Brillman Company.
The folks at Brillman suggested highly I install this bonding strap and to make sure all ground connections were free of paint and polished to a high shine.

We’ll see how all works out and I’ll report back.

Thanks,
Curt

I have no personal experience with this issue except for a post made by another member about using star washers for a "better" ground. It didn't work for him, in fact they provided an inferior ground. This may or may not have the same effect in your instance. Just something to consider.

Tiny is correct that star washers alone will not solve a grounding problem. You need to make sure the teeth dig through the paint and other crud.

I hate to speak for someone else but I don't believe that was the issue. If I remember right he had clean, bare metal and thought the star washers would provide more "bite" & a better ground as a result. As it turned out there was more current trying to pass through the tiny points of the washers than they could handle. The result was poor ground leading to slow cranking and a lot of sparking. Once he removed the washers and went bare metal to metal the problem went away. Again this is all relying on my sometimes less than perfect memory.

I agree that the star washer will not work well unless it is properly tightened to flatten the teeth. It’s the principal with a traditional lock washer. If you do not tighten it enough to flatten the offset it does not help secure the joint.

I received my rebuilt generator from the Filling Station yesterday.
I installed it this morning and went for a test drive.
The charging system has never operated better, even with the headlamps on. The engine even runs smoother.

If anyone has a continued and annoying charging problem, I highly recommend having your generator rebuilt or replaced, a new “premium” voltage regulator installed (especially with a rebuilt or replaced generator), make sure your ground cables are making excellent metal to metal contact. I also installed a ground strap from the engine ground point to the fire wall.

I’m very pleased with the work the Filling Station’s contracted rebuilder did.
The generator was completely rebuilt and painted-like new.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to the fall to do lots of “cruising”. It’s crazy hot and humid here in Louisiana!!

Curt