Welding

[whoneedsbitumen]

Ok probably a stupid question but tomorrow i have to weld a few things on the tray of my '91 diesel cruiser ute.
My question is as i havnt done any welding on a car would it be a good thing to disonnect batt or anythign else?

Thanks

[Jok]

Yeah, unhook the batt there mate!
Jok

[v840]

Definitely disconnect the battery.

Also if you are going to be welding sheetmetal and you are using an arc welder, I wouldnt bother. You'll blow too many holes.

[ausyota]

Disconect the battery just in case.
You shouldnt need to if you have a good earth near to where you are welding.
But if it is a bad earth and it decides to travel via the circut of the battery and alt it could get rather expensive rather fast.

[whoneedsbitumen]

Thanks guys bit of an obvious question i know better to be safe than sorry

[V8Patrol]

You only have to "break the circut" & can do so by only removing one of the battery terminals.....

What generally happens when ppl forget to do this is tha diodes in the Alternator blow, this means no more Alt charge untill they are fixed ...... usually costing around the $80 mark for a 80amp alt.


Also while ya at it ..........


Cover up any exposed glass......

Welding spatter be it mig or arc loves glass and will instantly stick to it like shyte to carpet ..... only you wont get it off without leaving little chips everywhere.
The grinder sparks will do the same thing only in a smaller version of the welder spatter.


So cover up ALL ya glass, back window, side windows windscreen, and mirrors.


Kingy

[Nev62]

So cover up ALL ya glass, back window, side windows windscreen, and mirrors.

Windscreen when he is welding in the tray

Or was this just a general statement

[rover1]

You only have to "break the circut" & can do so by only removing one of the battery terminals.....

What generally happens when ppl forget to do this is tha diodes in the Alternator blow, this means no more Alt charge untill they are fixed ...... usually costing around the $80 mark for a 80amp alt.
Kingy

you can also just leave the engine running if its a small job, we did this at my old work with the trucks needing something welded on. its also good practice to have the earth as close to the weld area as possible ie if your welding the tray dont put the earth on the bullbar.