Welding question ...

[blueriver]

I have welded a little over the years, not professional. My beads sometimes look good and then other times WELL ...

My question ... I was told yesterday that anytime I am welding on a vehicle or a piece of equipment hitched to the tractor I must unhook the battery negitive post to avoid damage to the vehicle/tractor altenator, charging system and or the computer system.

True or False ...

 

[Scooby074]

Personally, I do it. It only takes a few seconds to disconnect the battery. There are opinions all over the place as to whether or not it actually does anything, for the time it takes, ill do it and err on the side of caution. You should also connect the ground from the welder as close as possible to the place your welding and ensure good ground contact.

There are devices available that connect across the battery to prevent damage so you dont have to disconnect the battery and reset the clock/radio.

 

[WantedWolf]

I do it on newer trucks with fancy electronics but never on my 80's toyotas

 

[2manyrocks]

True. Why take a chance? I have a pricey rectifier on my Yanmar that I never want to replace again.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I know that the chassis of every fire truck in the district has a sticker on it somewhere warning to disconnect the battery cable before any welding. Because of that I disconnect the battery anytime I'm welding on a vehicle. I'm with Scooby and 2manyrocks... It's not a big deal to do it, and it could save a lot of trouble.

 

[jimmer2880]

Personally, I do it. It only takes a few seconds to disconnect the battery. There are opinions all over the place as to whether or not it actually does anything, for the time it takes, ill do it and err on the side of caution. You should also connect the ground from the welder as close as possible to the place your welding and ensure good ground contact.

There are devices available that connect across the battery to prevent damage so you dont have to disconnect the battery and reset the clock/radio.

I used to work at a tow-truck/rollback mfg shop. They used those devices a lot. UNTIL one of them failed & they fried the computer. After that, the owner inisted that they disconnect the negative.

 

[Skyco]

In some of the official Ford manuals they not only say to disconnect BOTH battery terminals but some of the connectors on the various PCMs even the instrument cluster modules and ABS computer.
I would imagine welding EMF damage could be a lot like ESD damage- the vehicle could be fine after welding but then die months down the road because a semiconductor junction was weakened during the welding then fail later. Very expensive stuff to replace some of those PCMS/modules.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

newer computer stuff is VERY sensitive....

older stuff, i'd disconnect but not be as worried.....just depends on what it is...

like has been said, a good rule of thumb is just to disconnect....the 30 seconds it takes might save a lot of $$ and time later...

 

[WantedWolf]

How about we ask the weldors with mobile rigs how many times they disconnect thier truck batterys when welding on thier service decks?
I cant personally think of 1 to start the list

 

[Scotty370]

Oh sure Wolf! Get logical on us! (But I'm in favor of the 'disconnect')