Welding precautions?

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Apr 13, 2009 | 12:56 PM

JohnyH

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,085

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From: Kanata ON.

Welding precautions?

I'm almost ready to have the two plates welded to the frame on my 1988 Vert to bolt the roll bar too. Should I disconnect the battery while having the welding done, to protect the car and onboard electronics, or will the battery protect the electronics?

Thanks John

Apr 13, 2009 | 01:08 PM

BrianCunningham

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 30,856

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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA

I'd disconnect it.

Apr 13, 2009 | 01:22 PM

JeepCycle

Racer

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 478

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From: Nesquehoning PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnyH

I disconnect my battery every time I lift the hood to do anything other than check fluids. touching something that will ruin the DD or ECM scares me...$$$wise so I just made a habit of doing that first...If I raise the car I do it also...

Apr 13, 2009 | 01:29 PM

DarkBlue88

Pro

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 721

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From: Charlotte NC, behind someone going 10 under the speed limit

Most important is to block flying welding slag from landing on: paint, plastic(door panels and dash), jute backing insulation, and wiring. Insulation fires spread quickly! Of course disconnect the battery too.

Apr 13, 2009 | 01:46 PM

redrose

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 2,753

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From: backwoods upstate ny

disco the battery, ecm, alt, esc module, dizzy, radio...WATCH the welder, insist he connect his 'ground' clamp to a CLEAN (NO paint or rust) area, as close to weld point as possible (do NOT take 'done a million with no problems' as an answer, weld guy may grumble but won't bite as most have seen 'colateral damage' after welding))...'stray current' from welding machines is NOT predictable, does NOT follow 'rules' of elec circuit current flow, and can damage the strangest things.

Apr 13, 2009 | 01:56 PM

98Red

Advanced

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 92

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From: Henderson Nv

I agree with Redrose. Welding current flows differently. See link. Disconnect everything (even the grounds) and save yourself time and money.

http://millerwelds.com/resources/bas...ce__cont__.htm

Apr 13, 2009 | 03:28 PM

bills1985corvette

Racer

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 252

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From: Troy Illinois

I would disconnect the battery and keep the ground close to the working point.

Apr 13, 2009 | 04:00 PM

StealthLT4

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 4,290

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From: St Marys GA

I agree with everything said above. Also, make sure ANYTHING flamable is removed from the vicinity, as sparks and little ***** of molten metal tend to do crazy acrobatics.