General welding questions that dont fit in TIG, MIG, Stick, or Certification etc.
Need to work on a friends tailgate on his dump bed. It is an early 80's diesel truck with no computers or complicated electrical systems. My question is. Can I safely weld on this truck without doing any electrical damage to the truck?
Brian
Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC
Everlast 255EXT with W300 cooler
Hobo Freight 170 MIG Welder
Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC
Everlast 255EXT with W300 cooler
Hobo Freight 170 MIG Welder
Disconnect ground from battery and hook ground up close as possible to where you're welding. Idea is to keep weld current out of any sensitive components. Just tig'd up some rust holes in the rain gutters on my truck...fuel injected, ecu, yadee yada. No issues at all. If needed, weld on a temporary tab for ground nearby and cut off when done.
.....and welcome to the forum.
.....and welcome to the forum.
ex framie
- ex framie
-
Ace
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:09 am
-
Location:Brisbane QLD Land of oz
Disconnect or remove the battery first.
Keep the earth as close to the work as possible.
Cheers
Keep the earth as close to the work as possible.
Cheers
Pete
God gave man 2 heads and only enough blood to run 1 at a time. Who said God didn't have a sense of humour.....
God gave man 2 heads and only enough blood to run 1 at a time. Who said God didn't have a sense of humour.....
Bill Beauregard
- Bill Beauregard
-
Weldmonger
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:32 pm
-
Location:Green Mountains of Vermont
The Mrs. just gave me hell about the dump body project I've had outside the garage for about two months. She thinks it's unsightly. It takes 1/2 hour to set up to work on it, and a half hour to put it away. Unless I have two hours it ain't worth it.
I've welded on vehicles forever, since before they had batteries, let alone computers. Not once have I personally seen a problem. If concerned, disconnect battery terminals. Electrical current follows the easiest path. Connect your work lead to the piece you're working on. Make sure the cables are clean, the clamps are good, and grind a clean place to clamp. It'll be good.
I've welded on vehicles forever, since before they had batteries, let alone computers. Not once have I personally seen a problem. If concerned, disconnect battery terminals. Electrical current follows the easiest path. Connect your work lead to the piece you're working on. Make sure the cables are clean, the clamps are good, and grind a clean place to clamp. It'll be good.
Pipe systems get welded on every day that are laced with pump motors on freq drives and lots of low voltage building controls but all you ever do is ground close to your work.
I have more questions than answers
Josh
Josh
Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't think I had much to worry about with this old truck. I will be able to get a good ground clamp less than 12" from where I need to do the work. To lean towards the safe side I may still disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Brian
Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC
Everlast 255EXT with W300 cooler
Hobo Freight 170 MIG Welder
Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC
Everlast 255EXT with W300 cooler
Hobo Freight 170 MIG Welder
Return to “Welding Forum General Shop Talk”
Jump to
- Introductions & How to Use the Forum
- ↳ Welcome!
- ↳ Member Introductions
- ↳ How to Use the Forum
- ↳ Moderator Applications
- Welding Discussion
- ↳ Metal Cutting
- ↳ Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
- ↳ Mig and Flux Core - gas metal arc welding & flux cored arc welding
- ↳ Stick Welding/Arc Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- ↳ Welding Forum General Shop Talk
- ↳ Welding Certification - Stick/Arc Welding, Tig Welding, Mig Welding Certification tests - Welding Tests of all kinds
- ↳ Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
- ↳ Product Reviews
- ↳ Fuel Gas Heating
- Welding Tips & Tricks
- ↳ Video Discussion
- ↳ Wish List
- Announcements & Feedback
- ↳ Forum News
- ↳ Suggestions, Feedback and Support
- Welding Marketplace
- ↳ Welding Jobs - Industrial Welding Jobs - Pipe Welding Jobs - Tig Welding Jobs
- ↳ Classifieds - Buy, Sell, Trade Used Welding Equipment
- Welding Resources
- ↳ Tradeshows, Seminars and Events
- ↳ The Welding Library
- ↳ Education Opportunities