disconnect the earths

[thedrover]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and new to migwelding. I know I should disconnect the alternater and the battery in the engine bay to prevent the possibillity of damage from electric surges.
But now I want to migweld on my motorcaravan. What should I disconnect in the back? Everything is seperatly earthed including the batteries, consumer unit, 12volt charger, mains ring main.

 

[Robotstar5]

Welcome to the forum, put the work return (earth clamp) as near to where you are welding as possible and make sure it's clamped to a clean area of bare metal.

 

[mike 109444]

Make sure you have cleared anything behind where you are welding (not so much to do with wiring/earths) because it's a motor home there will be more in the way of soft furnishes than a plain car. Have a bucket of water to hand ! and wet rags to avoid having to use the bucket !! Maybe a watcher whilst you are welding.

 

[normspanners]

I use one of those kitchen cleaner squirter bottle full of water very handy for inside sill etc you set it to stream then you can fire it through small holes etc.
For the electrical side you can get spike protectors to go across the battery .

 

[the snooper]

ive got one of the old type water extinguishers that you can refill and pressurise with an tyre inflator, perfect

 

[mibazza]

Hi sorry to go off topic but does anyone know where I can get hold of a water fire extinguisher with a pressurising valve on it like snooper mentioned? I've scoured the net but can't find anything, anyone want to sell one second hand? Sounds like a handy thing to have as my Garage is made of wood and my workshop has a wooden floor, I only moved in six months ago so all the grinding I've done so far has been in damp wood conditions. About to start welding now too, so I think some fire equipment is a good idea.

 

[Robotstar5]

Contact local fire extinguisher service/suppliers (yellow pages) they will probably have some reconditioned ones, you need the type with a schrader valve fitted for recharging.

 

[bluebobtail]

Hi,
I sometimes just use compressed air to deal with fires.
It blows it out and cools the area at the same time.
Saves on soaking the welding area.

 

[DrNik]

you dont need to remove any earths or batteries, or any leads, unless your welding underneath where the earth is on the vehicle, the welder uses the circuit of the body of the vehicle, it will never affect any of the electrical circuits unless you weld straight through a wire or part of the loom, so dont worry, i think removing a battery lead could in fact make the possibilites of damage greater as the negative/earth lead floats about

 

[octo0072000]

you dont need to remove any earths or batteries, or any leads, unless your welding underneath where the earth is on the vehicle, the welder uses the circuit of the body of the vehicle, it will never affect any of the electrical circuits unless you weld straight through a wire or part of the loom, so dont worry, i think removing a battery lead could in fact make the possibilites of damage greater as the negative/earth lead floats about

with modern ecus etc you do need to disconnect the battery or at least a spike protecter

 

[octo0072000]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and new to migwelding. I know I should disconnect the alternater and the battery in the engine bay to prevent the possibillity of damage from electric surges.
But now I want to migweld on my motorcaravan. What should I disconnect in the back? Everything is seperatly earthed including the batteries, consumer unit, 12volt charger, mains ring main.

are you talking about a van conversion or A class or C class built like a caravan and what part needs welding as lots of insulation in motor home
that you cant get to without removing the interior furnishings and possibly the floor

 

[outofthefire]

We always use surge protectors at work I personally wouldn't risk welding with out one they dont cost a lot. We use this type http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-Pr...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item416329921d but this is a good bit cheaper http://www.lsengineers.co.uk/12v-surge-protector-280.html

 

[ross27]

What would you guys advise for tacking up an exhaust on a car?

Should i be disconnecting the battery, or will clamping onto the exhast be good enough?

As i say, it will be for tacking up, then i will be removing from the car to complete the welds. I have a HF start R-Tech Tig welder if that makes a difference.