Welding on a vehicle/machine with electronics...

[Big Wave D]

What precautions, if any, should be taken?

Whether something on a modern vehicle or an implement still attached to the 3pt on one's tractor, what are the dos and don'ts of an on machine repair?

My 1991 Kubota L35 I believe to be a non-ecu motor, but I am wondering about screwing up any of the other parts of the electrical system. I have some repairs that I am needing to make to my rotary mower and it would facilitate and make them easier by simply leaving it on to do them.

Okay to do or asking for expensive repairs???

 

[ihuntbear]

should unhook the battery and keep the ground clap as close to where your welling as mush as possible

 

[GPintheMitten]

I also wonder about this. Looking forward to the answer.

 

[Big Wave D]

ihuntbear,
Thanks for your response.

Now that you have stated it again, I seem to vaguely remember hearing about the 'disconnect the battery' advice from somewhere before.

Getting the ground clamp close makes sense also. Try to give the shortest path possible.

 

[rjmack]

Getting the ground clamp close makes sense also. Try to give the shortest path possible.

yes, the idea being that the electricity gets to ground before it has a chance to go through any electronic devices.

you do need to make sure you have an nice clean contact to your ground clamp as well.

obviously, proximity to fuel tank/lines is always an issue.

 

[cdaigle430]

When I was a professional welder, I learned from experience to:

1) Seperate the part if you can, if not then;
2) Disconnect the battery
3) Disconnect the alternator-for some reason welding on a vehicle with the alternator connected can result in alternator death or worse damage to elsewhere.

 

[Big Wave D]

obviously, proximity to fuel tank/lines is always an issue.

WHAT???!!!!! Where's the fun in that... :confused2::confused2::confused2:


just kidding.


Always good to remind all of us about working safely and not taken unneeded chances.

 

[Big Wave D]

cdaigle430,
How many boo-boos did you experience before that hard knock lesson was learned?

 

[junkyard]

also the ground can arc accross bearings, so once again u need to have your ground as close as possible to the project

 

[Soundguy]

i do alot of welding on tractors, and have done some on vehicles, though not much.

I 'generally' remove the positive clamp of the battery.. but .. not always.. unly if I remember..

I ALWAYS put my ground clamp within inches of where I am welding, and assure a good clean connection by grinding on the frame a bit where the clamp goes.

don't seperate the ground clamp from the weld area thru pins and bushings or bearings, or steering components like tie rod ends or any moving joint.

In the couple of cases I have needed to weld in close proximity to an alternator, I bit the bullet and unhooked it... then welded.

i've -NEVER- lost a alternator, starter, genny, regulator, dash cluster, lamp, resistor, diode or capacitor, relay or solenoid, including ei modules and hour meters, or any other electro or electro mechanical parts that I know of, as a result of welding on a machine.. i fot plenty of machines.. and probably every one has had something welde don it.. or something attached to it had something welded on it.

for my big implements that are many hundred, or in some cases, many THOUSANDS of punds.. I simply couldn't unhook them for ease of movement or maeuvering, and thus they stayed married to the tractor for the welds. small implements get welded when not attached, if convienient.

When I made up a subframe for my TLB I scabbed togeter while adding the 'B' of the 'TLB', 80% of the frame fittment and welding was done with pieces instaleld on the tractor, IE.. fit frame and whatnot up then tack weld to make sure it fits, then weld up if all is good.

didn't pop any batteires or alternators.. etc.. and i burned a good box of rods on that project using my AC crackerbox.

all that said....your mileage may vary.

if you feel any hesitation about welding on something.. be safe.. unhook stuff.. etc..

soundguy