Multiple Battery Banks Sharing The Same Ground?

Question:

Can I have multiple isolated battery banks, like a house bank and starter bank, sharing the same ground? Or better yet, can I connect the negative posts between the multiple banks as an easy common ground? I have a Flybridge ground, a engine (starter) ground and a salon ground bus which is tied to the engine ground. - Eric

Answer:

You are on the right track. The negative post of all battery banks (house, engine, thruster, etc. should be connected together and this is called common ground. From a practical point of view, I suggest you install a high amperage DC common bus and have all your DC battery bank negatives connected to that common DC bus instead of going negative post to post. - Jeff