Welding to FEL Bucket --- Gas or Arc?

[Big Barn]

Back to the OP. I stick welded (SMAW) the last hooks I installed using 7018 rods, mostly because stick welding is my favourite process.

I could have used dual shield (flux core arc weld -gas) which is REALLY fast but I’m retired and saving 3 minutes for three hooks isn’t a deal breaker.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Where you get into trouble with engine computers and other electrical components is high frequency welding, and high amp A/C welding which is mostly on aluminum. I deal with aluminum boats at work and we get calls every now and then when an engine computer is fried from welding on it...

I always just keep the ground close to where I'm welding and haven't had a problem, but I've never welded aluminum... and am usually just running a D/C arc/stick welder or inverter flux core

 

[k0ua]

Where you get into trouble with engine computers and other electrical components is high frequency welding, and high amp A/C welding which is mostly on aluminum. I deal with aluminum boats at work and we get calls every now and then when an engine computer is fried from welding on it...

I always just keep the ground close to where I'm welding and haven't had a problem, but I've never welded aluminum... and am usually just running a D/C arc/stick welder or inverter flux core

I can see that.. That HF start is actually an RF arc, and the rules for DC currents don't apply at RF frequencies. Contrary to popular opinion ground is NOT ground the world around when we are dealing with RF. Grounds can look like antennas and radiate.