welding on the cab

MrE_Powers · Aug 30, 2010

in a 93 while doing the transmission i found a floor board that needs to be patched what steps do i need to take to not fry the computer?. am i ok with removing the negitive off of the battery only? where is the best place to clamp the ground? i plan on using a hobart 187 welder set up for the mig process

spdcrazy · Aug 30, 2010

never thought bout that. i welded my cage supports to the top of the cab with my 110 wirefeed. no problems. but i'm not sure if i was lucky or if it isn't anything to worry about.

hopefully some one will shed some light on this for us

Zachalanche · Aug 30, 2010

wouldn't hurt to disconnect the computer after disconnecting the battery. may be overkill, but its easy, and I do it just in case whenever I weld.

srteach · Aug 30, 2010

I would not disconnect ground, I would disconnect hot side. Either way, if there is no circuit, there should be no damage to electronic components if you keep the electric field away from them.

Clamp near the welding site directly to one of the metals you will be welding. The welding circuit will then be the shortest route to ground (the clamp) from the wire feed. This will help keep the electric flux away from electronic components.

martin · Aug 30, 2010

I just disconnect the ground and have never had a problem. When I'm welding in sheet metal I usually tack weld a piece of scrap metal to the new piece to use as a place for the ground clamp and then grind it off when I'm finished. It ensures the ground is as close to the work as possible.

MrE_Powers · Aug 30, 2010

okidokie thanks guys i am going to do this now. will post back when there is closure.

superds · Aug 30, 2010

I just did some body work last week, welding on the body. All I did was disconnect the negative from the battery, like I've heard to do. I've been driving the vehicle since then, no problems. I don't know, maybe it's not enough precautionary measures to ensure the computer doesn't get fried but at least this time I got lucky if it's not enough.

Like others said, try to put the welding ground close to where you're welding.

4x4junkie · Aug 30, 2010

srteach said:
Clamp near the welding site directly to one of the metals you will be welding. The welding circuit will then be the shortest route to ground (the clamp) from the wire feed. This will help keep the electric flux away from electronic components.

This is good advice right here. I've always done it like this and even without the disconnecting of the battery or computer, haven't had any problems.

MrE_Powers · Aug 30, 2010

done, seats back in, fired right up thanks to all whom replied

welding on the cab

MrE_Powers

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spdcrazy

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Zachalanche

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srteach

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martin

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MrE_Powers

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superds

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4x4junkie

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MrE_Powers

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