Plasma Cutting my car question.....

[steve.h]

Hi all, I want to make the hole for the air filter intake in the inner wing bigger as I have fitted a cone filter. I have a cut40 plasma cutter, What do I need to disconnect on the car before using the plasma on it. The area I want to cut is the oposite side of the engine bay to the battery and ecu etc.
Do I just remove the - lead on the battery, I understand that having the plasma earth lead as close to the cutting area should lower any risk of damage. The car is our only car so I cant afford for it to be off the road because I fried the ecu or something, I read a lot of opinions on the internet but you just dont know if they know what they are talking about, thats why I am asking on here, I know there is a lot of knowledge on this forum so its the best place to ask.
So what do I disconnect.....

Thanks for your replies.

Steve.h

 

[Bill Edwards]

The battery negative lead.

Unless you are working close to electrical wire you are normally safe anyway, but it certainly isn't worth the risk in my opinion so the battery lead always comes off. Just make sure you have the keys to hand, don't get locked out if the vehicle does anything daft when you reconnect it!
Keep the earth lead close to where you work and on the same metal (i.e don't go through hinges/bearings etc).

 

[chevy2]

The battery negative lead.

Unless you are working close to electrical wire you are normally safe anyway, but it certainly isn't worth the risk in my opinion so the battery lead always comes off. Just make sure you have the keys to hand, don't get locked out if the vehicle does anything daft when you reconnect it!
Keep the earth lead close to where you work and on the same metal (i.e don't go through hinges/bearings etc).

Well pointed out on the bearings/hinges thing,

Another one to remember is if welding/plasma cutting on suspension items where you have stainless braided brake hoses is to also earth directly to the item and not to the body/chassis.

Ask me how i know, they burn well