Power Inverters and Distribution Blocks

I'm currently running 0 Gauge wire from my battery to the rear of my 02 Durango and 0 Gauge ground.  I'm using a Streetwires Distribution block that distributes both power and ground. 

Now for my dilemma?  I just purchased a Coleman power invertor rated at 2000 watts.  It came with 2 gauge positive and negative cables.   There is also a ground lug.  According the the owners manual it states to connect the red positive cable to the postive terminal of the battery and the black negative cable to the negative terminal and to ground 4 gauge wire to the vehicle chasis.

I'd really rather connect at the rear of my vehicle.  Couldn't I just hook this up like and amplifier to my Dist. block?   Could I just run the 2 Gauge power wire to my power terminals in the block and the 2 Gauge "negative" wire to the ground terminal on the same distribution block (my dist. block had both power and ground in the same block).     This would put the 2 gauge black wire to the chasis instead of to the neg. terminal of the battery?  If i do that would i still have to use the ground lug and still ground to the chasis, this would make 2 grounds to the chasis?

Hope I didn't confuse anyone, I just assumed when I ordered this that I could hook it up in the rear of my Durango like it was an amplifier and use my existing power and ground already back there?

Thanks for any help!!!

Teken!

  Sounds like you're in the know, would there be a problem with connecting the negative terminal of the inverter to the chassis instead of the negative post of the battery?  And if it would work would I still have to use the ground lug on the inverter and connect that to the chassis as well?

Thanks

P1209

Teken,

     From the sounds of the instructions the "Ground Lug Terminal" is just a safety measure for the case.  The owner's manual states:

"Locate the Ground Lug Terminal at the rear of the inverter.  Run a wire from this terminal to a proper grounding point using the shortest practical length of 4 AWG wire.  You can connect this wire to the Chassis of your vehicle or to the grounding system in your boat.  When in remote locations the ground wire can be connected to the earth using a metal rod driven into the ground.  Before connecting the ground make sure the inverter is off.  Operating the inverter without correctly grounding the unit may result in electrical shock."

Based on the above instructions it sounds like its merely a safety measure to prevent a shock.  I have no problem running the Negative Wire to the Chassis AND another 4 Gauge wire to the Chassis from the Ground Lug.  But is 2 grounds to the Chassis necessary or safe?   Everything in the owners manual states to connect to the Positive and Negative terminals on the battery and from the Ground Lug to the Chassis.  I'm trying to avoid having to wire this thing up front because it would be more convienent in the rear for tailgate parties at the Philadelphia Eagles Games?

Here's a link to their website and my model but it does not provide to much more information!

http://www.colemanpowermateworks.com/items/showdetl.cfm?&DID=30&Product_ID=138&CAtid=4

Thanks for all your help and info!

Brian

Teken,

Thanks for all your help!

I actually bought the inverter from a Coleman employee selling them on ebay!  If you or anyone else is interested his Seller ID is:  harpo12345

The seller (Tom) was great, he promised that I'd have it before the Eagles/Dallas game and when shipping was delayed he paid an extra 20 buck to overnight it to me!  He's selling various wattages also!

Again, Thanks for the help

Brian