I'm planning to do some arc welding to the frame next w/e..

crasher · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2017 11:18 am

I'm welding some tube steel spacers to the outside of the frame channel in the general 'under the door area', to allow me to install some slider/nerf bars that extend approximately another 1.5 inches out from under the rockers.

Besides disconnecting the battery - what other protective measures do I have to take before I start, to prevent burning out some electronic brains in this thing?

I'd like to keep my CRD from becoming a CR-Duuh....

Then it's just an issue with over-penetration of the frame channel, and reapplying rust preventative.

Thanks for any advice.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2017 3:01 pm

Some say to disconnect the ground from the battery, others say not too. Muffler shops weld on late model vehicles every day and most do not bother to disconnect the battery ground. But they do place their welder's ground on the pipe very close to where they are welding.

I have also read the leaving a battery in the circuit actually can help act as a buffer to smooth out any voltage spikes that might occur while welding.

Most importantly, place your welder's ground as close as possible to the work area where you are going to be welding and attach it to the SAME piece of metal you are going to welding on. In your case; the welder's ground attached to the frame on a good clean connection spot as close as possible to where you are going to weld on the frame. The shorter the distance the current has to travel on the vehicle, the better...

Remember there are many electrical ground points throughout a vehicle in addition the battery ground, some are attached to the frame, and some are attached to the body, while others are attached to the engine.
What is important is you do not want any of the welder's current traveling through any of the vehicle's ground circuits! That can cause some serious problems!!! :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2017 6:00 pm

crasher wrote:

I'm welding some tube steel spacers to the outside of the frame channel in the general 'under the door area', to allow me to install some slider/nerf bars that extend approximately another 1.5 inches out from under the rockers.

Besides disconnecting the battery - what other protective measures do I have to take before I start, to prevent burning out some electronic brains in this thing?

I'd like to keep my CRD from becoming a CR-Duuh....

Then it's just an issue with over-penetration of the frame channel, and reapplying rust preventative.

Thanks for any advice.

Best to use one of these............

Goodall (GDL32030) 12/24 Volt Antizap Surge Protection,can be found at any welding shop(or should be able to).

You should never weld on a vehicle with the battery and PCM(and any other computer) actually plugged in without using some form of electronic surge protection,simply disconnecting the negative battery cable is not enough when so many system uses capacitors.

crasher · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:01 am

Thanks for this info.

I'd have hated to spend extra trying to reverse the effects of my ignorance.

:wink:

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:22 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Best to use one of these............

Goodall (GDL32030) 12/24 Volt Antizap Surge Protection,can be found at any welding shop(or should be able to).

Thanks tjki2002, good advice!
12v only version (don't need 12/24v): goodall-12v-antizap-surge-protector-gdal-32-020
I found them for 56 bucks at this location and ordered one:> https://standardus.com/goodall-12v-anti ... 2-020.html

flman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:56 pm

What about Mig welding, where you are not using a ground?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:05 pm

What MIG doesn't use a ground?

flman · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:03 am

GordnadoCRD wrote:

What MIG doesn't use a ground?

Duh! I must be having a brain fart? :banghead:

I meant to say, what about using a mig welder, does all the same apply?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:51 pm

I believe the same applies to any method that involves electric current to provide the heat energy to fuse the pieces together.
Although resistance spot welding may have a much lower risk, as there is no actual arc, but usually that involves pieces that are removed from the vehicle.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:15 pm

flman wrote:

GordnadoCRD wrote:

What MIG doesn't use a ground?

Duh! I must be having a brain fart? :banghead:

I meant to say, what about using a mig welder, does all the same apply?

This Surge Protector covers protection when performing all forms of electric welding on a vehicle, including Tig, Argon Arc and Mig, with the battery connected according to their literature! :wink:

A very good investestment for a tool for those of us who weld on late model computer equipped vehicles...

flman · **Posted:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:17 am

I might want to weld something up to my rear brake shoes as the parking brake no longer holds when applied. TDF says the pins fall off the cheap backing plate?

I'm planning to do some arc welding to the frame next w/e..

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