Stick/Arc welding on TD

[Hightower]

I'm going to look at removing the front bumper on my truck this weekend so that I can start looking at welding a front mounted tow bar bracket on the front.

What precautions if any do I have to take with regard protecting the electrics of the truck? Alternator, ECM's, or just disconnect the battery?

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Hightower

I'm going to look at removing the front bumper on my truck this weekend so that I can start looking at welding a front mounted tow bar bracket on the front.

What precautions if any do I have to take with regard protecting the electrics of the truck? Alternator, ECM's, or just disconnect the battery?

just the battery should do it, have you a code on the radio?

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by biffer

just the battery should do it, have you a code on the radio?

No code on the Radio Biffer, the only ECM's are the ones for the ABS brakes and the alarm/immobiliser module and apart from that, thought that the diodes from the alternator might need protecting too.

[martini]

I was taught to pull the plug off the alternator to prevent damage to the diodes.

[chewy]

Originally Posted by martini

I was taught to pull the plug off the alternator to prevent damage to the diodes.

Same here.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by martini

I was taught to pull the plug off the alternator to prevent damage to the diodes.

we'll it certainly won't be a difficult job to pull the plug out, so was going to do this as a matter of course. I was more worried about the ECM for the ABS and alarm system.

[martini]

I've never heard of any problems caused to ECU's, tbh I rarely bother disconnecting batteries, alternators or anything else and I've never had any trouble.

Now I've said that watch what happens next time I weld on a car

[Nasher]

Good luck with the project Andy.

I've always just disconnected the Battery.

I think it's overkill though, on the principle that Electricity always takes the path of least resistance, and as long as I've got the earth clamp near where I'm welding it should be OK.

If I was welding anywhere near an ECU it would be a different matter, and I'd probably take it out altogether.

Nasher

[Hightower]

Yes Nasher I tend to agree with you on that one. But with all that amperage an all, you never quite know

It'll take 5 mins to remove the battery connection and to take out the alternator plug so will do that before striking an arc.

Thanks for all your help guys. I doubt that I'll do much in this weather of ours this weekend anyway and if I get a sniff of a nice day I've got a little trip planned on the water and some boaty related work to include picking up a 2 years supply of cheap XD50.

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by martini

I've never heard of any problems caused to ECU's, tbh I rarely bother disconnecting batteries, alternators or anything else and I've never had any trouble.

Now I've said that watch what happens next time I weld on a car

Neither have I, and i have done more than my fair share of welding.
As long as the earth for the welder is near the piece you are welding then
its impossible to do any harm to anything, especially with a MIG as its DC so unlikely to cause eddy currents.
Is a good idea to disconnect the battery though for safety,
a mate of mine was welding a hillman imp on a 4 post ramp, he melted the wiring loom, the car started itself, it was in gear, it ended up on top of another customers car which was parked behind the ramp both written off.