Is a ground just a ground?

[scottb]

I'm installing an auxilary a/c condenser with a cooling fan. I'm also installing a Bosch relay to trigger the power to the fan. My question is this:

Is there any reason I can't ground the relay and the fan to the same grounding point?

It seems to me this shouldn't be a problem, but I want to be sure.

Thanks, guys.

[Early_S_Man]

Scott,

Assuming that the connecting point/termina/stud is clean, and sufficiently heavy to carry the load of the motor ... no problem.

What you don't want is for the load of the motor to cause a large Voltage drop at that ground terminal ... which might cause the relay to drop out when alternator output drops at idle in line at the bank in 105°F weather!

[scottb]

Warren:

The fan draws 6.5 amps (I think). Do I have much risk of it causing a large voltage drop at the ground point (assuming the ground is clean and sufficiently heavy)?

Thanks for the input. (No pun intended.)

[Early_S_Man]

Scott,

There probably isn't much chance of a problem. A 12 ga ground wire for the fan should be fine.

I was thinking along the lines of a case of a fuel pump that normally draws 8 Amps ... but when failing, on its' last leg, drew 16 Amps!