Thread: Quick Welding question

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I bought a welder a few weeks ago. I used it to tack a loose panel piece on my truck. Two days later the coil failed and needed to be replaced.

I did not disconnect the battery, nor the alternator, which I hear is a good thing. Any connection with the failed coil and the tack weld I did?

NOt sure, maybe.

I do know that electronics can get ruined by welders.

If you are gonna weld on the car remove the negative battery cable and place the ground of the welder as close to the work as possible

I would have thought it would be bad right off the bat if it had anything to do with it. It was an 9-10 year old MSD coil.

I did have the ground clamp within about 6" from where I was welding. It was the fender to the outer wheel housing.

we allways unhook the battery when welding on cars its a good idea, less you had the ground of the welder hook to the msd may been a one of them deals but still unhook the battery and like said allways hook the welder ground near or on what your welding

In our shop we always disconnect the ground or pos., from the battery before welding,(power can't surge through only one connection on your battery).
Years ago ,at one of the local heavy equipment shops a guy was welding a bumper to a dump truck, had the ground connected to the engine!!!! (told his boss it was the only clean place). The current traveled through the frame and engine,long story short,the rod and mains were ruined when the current passed through.

I recently had a car bought to me that had been welded on by another company because it wouldn't start or run right with a new battery.

The original battery was trashed along with the alternator, coil, electronic ign etc etc

ALWAYS REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLES WHEN WELDING

I don't know about your issue but I can say that I had some welding done on a Ranger pickup that had been rolled and I replaced the body. Not long after the guy started welding the engine compartment to the new body the insulation on the emergency cable melted off. He was in the driveway my son and I went to the back yard till he finished. Very scary!

Originally Posted by sfort

I don't know about your issue but I can say that I had some welding done on a Ranger pickup that had been rolled and I replaced the body. Not long after the guy started welding the engine compartment to the new body the insulation on the emergency cable melted off. He was in the driveway my son and I went to the back yard till he finished. Very scary!

Thats because it was using the cable as an earth.

In an auto-body class taken years ago, I recall that they used an AntiZap Surge Protector tool connected to the battery whenever welding rather than disconnecting the battery cables. I guess it comes down to how often you'd need the tool to justify the $60 cost.

Originally Posted by roadster32

Thats because it was using the cable as an earth.

Funny, I was just reading Haynes Car Bodywork Repair Manual by Lindsay Porter this morning and he must be British because in the first chapter they have a list of British and American terms side by side and I saw that one and a bunch of others.

Some that say are American - I never ever used. Alternator - Generator? Really?! Never heard that in the US aside from an electrical motor type application. Also Battery in the UK but Energizer in the US? Interesting the differences in terms.

Wayne

how old are you????Vehicles used to have generators---DC output
Later ALTERNATORS---AC output

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Wayne

how old are you????Vehicles used to have generators---DC output
Later ALTERNATORS---AC output

40. Never used the term "Generator" always called them alternators. Been interested in cars since I was about 10 which was 1980. So it must have been a good deal before that.

Ah ha- I see that you were born in '41. That may explain it a bit.
Same B-day as my mother except not the same year.

Originally Posted by Wayne Gilchrist

40. Never used the term "Generator" always called them alternators. Been interested in cars since I was about 10 which was 1980. So it must have been a good deal before that.

The 1963 model year marked the switch to alternators for most models ....

Ah, that old generation gap. pun intended.