Mike
The Xantrex instructions, referenced above via the web, essentially show what I call a negative distribution post (NDP). They show it in their installation picture(s) as going to a kind of strip. The negative wires from all of our batteries on Aquavite are connected to a Power Post Plus and then a separate ground wire runs back to the engine as a ground. Our inverter/charger negative is also tacked onto that Power Post. Just think of it as a negative distribution point (or strip). As long as the ground wire from that NDP is large enough going back to the engine, the post or strip is essentially the same negative, whether the charger's negative is physically connected at the post or strip near the batteries, or if your run it all the way back separately to the engine. Our post is under the galley sink by the HW heater on our Mark I. I have the Power Post Plus because I use the smaller connections on its base for the bilge pump and stereo negatives.
Good luck with the batteries. Calder's has something about trying to bring dead batteries back to life - give him a try. I might have mentioned that in my reply to your earlier post on your situation.
The Xantrex instructions, referenced above via the web, essentially show what I call a negative distribution post (NDP). They show it in their installation picture(s) as going to a kind of strip. The negative wires from all of our batteries on Aquavite are connected to a Power Post Plus and then a separate ground wire runs back to the engine as a ground. Our inverter/charger negative is also tacked onto that Power Post. Just think of it as a negative distribution point (or strip). As long as the ground wire from that NDP is large enough going back to the engine, the post or strip is essentially the same negative, whether the charger's negative is physically connected at the post or strip near the batteries, or if your run it all the way back separately to the engine. Our post is under the galley sink by the HW heater on our Mark I. I have the Power Post Plus because I use the smaller connections on its base for the bilge pump and stereo negatives.
Good luck with the batteries. Calder's has something about trying to bring dead batteries back to life - give him a try. I might have mentioned that in my reply to your earlier post on your situation.