tonylumps
Bronze Member
I will have to do a little welding on my BX. Will I have to disconnect the ground Thanks Tony
BX1860 Ground
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Chilly807
Elite Member
I definitely would for the time it takes. I was welding on mine yesterday, I unhooked the ground every time. Also, try to connect the welder ground clamp as close to the welding area as you can, and definitely don't pass current through anything electronically sensitive.
Sean
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Yes,
I agree. Remove the ground, and even the positive for safety's sake. Whenever you weld, keep the work clamp as close to the weld area as possible. It will reduce the chance of electrical shock as well.
I agree. Remove the ground, and even the positive for safety's sake. Whenever you weld, keep the work clamp as close to the weld area as possible. It will reduce the chance of electrical shock as well.
Chilly807
Elite Member
Mine was the same, I like to remove them before welding, but sometimes you have no choice.
Sean
Sean
PILOON
Super Star Member
My approach is to ground the actual part being welded. (and disconnect battery leads)
Reason being that otherwise all connecting joints will become part of the ground path.
A loose bolt or a 3 pt swivel ball even bearings could be damaged in the process of making a good ground path.
You all have seen sparking when the ground clamp is not well grounded. Well that is what might occur anywhere in the ground return path, so ground at least 1 of the parts to be welded rather than anywhere convenient.
Reason being that otherwise all connecting joints will become part of the ground path.
A loose bolt or a 3 pt swivel ball even bearings could be damaged in the process of making a good ground path.
You all have seen sparking when the ground clamp is not well grounded. Well that is what might occur anywhere in the ground return path, so ground at least 1 of the parts to be welded rather than anywhere convenient.
Gary Fowler
Super Star Member
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That is common practice to remove the ground cable from the battery prior to welding, that isolates the electric system and you dont have to remove the positive side. Ground as close to your work as possible is also an acceptable practice.
There is an old wives tale about arcing bearings due to someone welding and putting the ground a long way from the work. I have heard this for 40 years but I have never seen or even heard of an actual case of a bearing arc on any equipment actually verified. I think that is simple an urban legend. Electricity will follow the patch of least resistance (always). Arcing thru a bearing that is not actually touching if the grease is doing its job is not at all the least resistive path. The only way you could arc a bearing is ground to the outside housing and weld on the inner race, then the electricity would have to pass thru the bearing to get there and I dont know of anyone that is that dumb.
Now when it comes to electronic gizmos, that could be a different story as some of those are so susceptible to electric current, that even static electricity can damage them. I weld on my old 1984 Yanmar all the time without disconnecting anything, but is has nothing other than an alternator that can damage and I do put my ground directly on the piece to be welded. I wouldnt weld on my new tractor that has LCD screens and all kinds of new electric switchs and solenoids to work everything from PTO to 4 WD and differential lock without disconnecting the ground.
There is an old wives tale about arcing bearings due to someone welding and putting the ground a long way from the work. I have heard this for 40 years but I have never seen or even heard of an actual case of a bearing arc on any equipment actually verified. I think that is simple an urban legend. Electricity will follow the patch of least resistance (always). Arcing thru a bearing that is not actually touching if the grease is doing its job is not at all the least resistive path. The only way you could arc a bearing is ground to the outside housing and weld on the inner race, then the electricity would have to pass thru the bearing to get there and I dont know of anyone that is that dumb.
Now when it comes to electronic gizmos, that could be a different story as some of those are so susceptible to electric current, that even static electricity can damage them. I weld on my old 1984 Yanmar all the time without disconnecting anything, but is has nothing other than an alternator that can damage and I do put my ground directly on the piece to be welded. I wouldnt weld on my new tractor that has LCD screens and all kinds of new electric switchs and solenoids to work everything from PTO to 4 WD and differential lock without disconnecting the ground.
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Gary,
I have seen a few things fail after welding on it...whether or not it was directly related, I don't know. But I do know that some circuits that provide a ground for transmission control and other things can be affected. Another reason I have heard is that the arc can jump between the engine bearings, which is a possibility if the work clamp connection is made directly to the engine.
Given the radomness of electicity flow, seeking the shortest path to ground, the best solution seems to be keep the connections close, and follow every safety that you can.
I have seen a few things fail after welding on it...whether or not it was directly related, I don't know. But I do know that some circuits that provide a ground for transmission control and other things can be affected. Another reason I have heard is that the arc can jump between the engine bearings, which is a possibility if the work clamp connection is made directly to the engine.
Given the radomness of electicity flow, seeking the shortest path to ground, the best solution seems to be keep the connections close, and follow every safety that you can.