Mid cabin windshield ground

[BobCT]

I discovered this by accident last week when my windshield washer nozzle was dripping. The ring terminal you see now is new. The old one was corroded and broke in half when I wiggled it. No big deal, put a new one on while I was in there. I wasn't sure exactly what this wire was for but assumed it was the windshield ground. It's an 8 gauge wire. I exchanged emails with Todd and he thought so as well. I'm not sure where it goes though, the rest is in the ceiling going towards the Stb side. Anyone know for sure?

Here's the wierd part. When I try my starboard wiper now it's a dead short and trips the breaker. I remember having the exact same issue a few years ago where a section of the wiring in the windshield frame was causing same issue. I patched in a splice and its been fine since. It could be a coincidence but seems unlikely. Of course I had just re-installed my washer nozzles and needed to test and rotate them into position. No can do w/o the Starboard wiper working.

BTW, you can tell that water has leaked a little around this connection so worth checking under the trim piece at the base of the windshield. I'm not removing the whole windshield frame so I'll do some caulking up top.

http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/A8CT/ ... sort=3&o=0

Bob

[koviak]

Bob, I found the same connection when I replaced my horns a few weeks ago. Assuming it grounds to the DC side as the wire is white but not sure, I can not find it on the electrical schematic. My washer nozzles are not leaking but read good advice about avoiding it and put a shut off valve in line at galley area (behind the waste can).
Looking at your pics I like what you did with the microwave enclosure, good use of space.

[BobCT]

Dennis - thanks, I'm happy with how that came out and love smaller microwave (door mostly).

Bob

[BobCT]

A quick update for future searches:

Weird coincidence but my wiper short had nothing to do with the windshield ground. A few days before I replaced this ring terminal, I moved the bracket for my Bimini and the screw went into the windshield washer wire creating the short.

Anyway, for you mid cabin guys it's worth removing the ceiling access plate to check for leaks and also check this connection. Mine was corroded and 80% broken so I don't know if it would have done any good grounding the windshield frame in the event of a lightning strike.

Bob

- just checked the link and it looks like I deleted the pic of the connector. It's pretty obvious when you remove the panel.

[RWS]

Lots of wires running through that windshield frame.

THANKS Bob

[BobCT]

You got that right! I sure wish they mounted the windshield wipers down at the base of the windshield like other boats. That would have helped cut down the wiring mess inside the frame and visibility too...

[RWS]

NOTE TO ALL:

It is a GOOD PRACTICE to run a heavy bonding wire from the windshield frame to the common ground/bonding system.

The factory ground is lightweight and prone to corrosion.

RWS