welding on a modern tractor, computer concerns?

[TimBuck2]

I have read that when welding on modern vehicles it is advisable to disconnect certain computerize parts. I have a 2000 Kubota L4310, and I imagine there is a computer or two in there somewhere.

Does anyone have experience with welding on modern tractors and needing to be concerned about ruining computers?

 

[Depmandog]

This topic pops up every few months or so. There are definitely two camps, from nothing will happen all the way to the other extreme.

Personally, I fall into the nothing will happen camp. Would recommend disconnecting your battery just for the sake of it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Having a bit of an electronics background, I might suggest leaving the battery hooked up. It represents a low impedence for the 12 volt positive supply. Leaving the positive terminal off, could actually cause induced (harmfull) voltages to get into your computer via the open 12 volt buss. This is only my theory on the matter.

In general, when welding on a vehicle, it is good to place your welder ground as close to the work area as possible and not through a bearing or other bolted on part that may have a grounded electrical device. In other words, you don't want the welding return path to try and go through your electrical system ground.

 

[muddstopper]

I am certianly in the camp of unhooking the battery. working on mordern equipment and seen first hand how fast a welder can burn thru $10's of thousands in electronics with the first arc. I also know there are many that will say to leave the battery connected and place the ground close to where you will be welding and nothing will happen. Moot point I think, it takes a minute to unhook the battery and not have to worry about it. Why risk it?

 

[PILOON]

When welding generally grounding to the largest of the 2 pieces being welded is my rule of thumb.
That and being sure that the grounded surface has had a grinder pass to assure a good solid ground.
That and as others said never with a bearing or bushing in the ground path.

It is really logic. The ark will travel from the electrode to the ground clamp.
The shorter the distance the safer.
Also I suspect that stick welding might be safer than MIG & TIG as they rely on various high voltage ark start techniques that could jump wider gaps.

 

[TimBuck2]

Thanks for the replies gents.

Sounds like: disconnect the battery, good ground on the largest piece of metal involved, close as possible to the weld, as far as possible from any computers, and cross your fingers!

 

[Ed of all trades]

I burnt out the oil gauge on a Chevy truck one time. Welded a nut to a piece of 1/2" metal goose neck hitch in the bed of the truck with the ground clamp hooked on the piece I was welding. I now disconnect the ground cable.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am not saying Don't disconnect your battery but I have welded on automobiles, both of my tractors and my BIL's New Holland (FEL Hooks) and never damaged anything. I do place the ground on a clean piece of metal as close to the weld as I can get it. I am not going to argue the point that it cant happen to sensitive electronics, but it has never happened to me or anyone I know. Maybe I have just been lucky.

Note: this is with stick rod only, I don't know how MIG would be any different but I have no experience with that.

 

[bdog]

I have never unhooked a battery and have welded on tons of vehicles, tractors, heavy equipment including my 2015 platinum truck. Hard to get more electronic crap than that. Nothing happened.

 

[My Hoe]

I took a welding course at BOCES, from a very experienced, WWII veteran. This was in the early 1990's, i.e, not nearly so much computers on board then.

And Rule #1 for Welding on a Motor Vehicle was:

DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.

He told stories of alternators (or maybe generators, on older cars? I can't remember) starting to RUN, as MOTORS, as just one example of what could go wrong, in addition to the LIKELIHOOD of exploding batteries, fried harnesses, etc....

I would NEVER leave the battery connected, while welding, under any theory (because even if the stated theory of the poster in favor of leaving the battery connected is true, you still have all the KNOWN and [more] LIKELY OUTCOMES, of the risks involved). The battery's got enough hydrogen gas in it, to throw the sulphuric acid it contains, far and wide, should it explode.

And why risk the wiring harness (which can "total" your car, should it cause a fire)?

DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. (I believe my Haynes Welding Manual gives the same advice).

Good luck.