What’s everyone’s experience on removing battery cables or unplugging ECM, coil etc when welding on body or chassis - specifically to K5? I’ve been reading a bunch, and opinions are all over. From pro welders who have never pull cables on any vehicle to people who do it every time. I’ve welded several bumpers and never had a problem with blown electrical. We just finished floor pans on my sons ‘83 Toyota 4x4, and when we put the neg battery cable back on, we found the coil and his electric fan were toast. I need to do some welding on my ‘87 K5 today and I don’t want those results. Your experience is appreciated. Thank you.
CK5
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Welding and electronics safety
- Thread starter kyalbert
- Start date
I haven't had issues, but I have easy access to the ECM so I *usually* disconnect it.
I do have a backup camera/mirror setup that started acting strange but no idea if it happened in connnection with welding.
Lots of relays, all the EFI components, electric fans, etc.
I do have a backup camera/mirror setup that started acting strange but no idea if it happened in connnection with welding.
Lots of relays, all the EFI components, electric fans, etc.
I am really surprised that you had a problem with the negative cable disconnected.
I always ground the welder close to where I am working, and so far I haven't had a problem. I have left the battery hooked up as well as disconnected. Depended on the job and sometimes my memory.
I didn't unhook the batteries on a dump truck last week when welding in the hinge pocket. It ran loads all week this week with no problems.
I always ground the welder close to where I am working, and so far I haven't had a problem. I have left the battery hooked up as well as disconnected. Depended on the job and sometimes my memory.
I didn't unhook the batteries on a dump truck last week when welding in the hinge pocket. It ran loads all week this week with no problems.
For welding - I’m about to add a master cut off switch into the positive battery cable, would you trust that instead of actually disconnecting a battery cable? Or would it matter that the negative is still hooked up?
I usually disconnect the cables for welding or (mostly) to prevent battery drain when the truck sits for long periods but it’s taking a toll on the cable ends.
I usually disconnect the cables for welding or (mostly) to prevent battery drain when the truck sits for long periods but it’s taking a toll on the cable ends.
I've done lots of welding on our Kenworth at work and just disconnect pos and neg battery cables and keep your ground cable as close as possible to where you are welding and make sure its a good ground. Grind a little metal to make sure. Same thing on my Jimmy when I welded on rear bumper with swing outs and all recovery points. Jimmy is a 77 but I have no problem with any of my electronics in the cab after 3 years.I am really surprised that you had a problem with the negative cable disconnected.
I always ground the welder close to where I am working, and so far I haven't had a problem. I have left the battery hooked up as well as disconnected. Depended on the job and sometimes my memory.
I didn't unhook the batteries on a dump truck last week when welding in the hinge pocket. It ran loads all week this week with no problems.
I never disconnect battery. But I ALWAYS put my welding ground on one of the two pieces being joined. And I grind a bare metal spot for that ground. Your ground point needs to be as clean as where your welding. Clean bare metal. Electricity will take the path of least resistance, you don’t want it to be through your components.
Yeah as stated above, don't put the ground on the frame if welding body, and don't put it on your fender to weld frame, etc. Put the ground on the piece being welded.
And myself I always unhook.
I have no idea to this day what he did, but my buddies brother had a battery pop under his hood while welding under his truck.
We weren't there at the time but I seen the aftermath under the hood when we got back. No idea where he had grounds, what he was welding, etc. But it happened when the truck was off and he was under it welding so......
And myself I always unhook.
I have no idea to this day what he did, but my buddies brother had a battery pop under his hood while welding under his truck.
We weren't there at the time but I seen the aftermath under the hood when we got back. No idea where he had grounds, what he was welding, etc. But it happened when the truck was off and he was under it welding so......
same as all above... I disconnect both battery cables (in the square bodies the negative is arguably more important for the ecm??) - whatever- i pull both.
make sure the welder is grounded to what I'm working on, close to it, and hopefully has no path to pump the juice through a non "to be welded" component.
knock on wood - no issues yet.
make sure the welder is grounded to what I'm working on, close to it, and hopefully has no path to pump the juice through a non "to be welded" component.
knock on wood - no issues yet.
