Don't think it would do the electronics on the truck any good.
UNhook to weld?
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,609
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From: somerset KY
UNhook to weld?
i have a 97 powerstroke and was wondering-when properly grounded do i really need to unhook to weld to my trailer? i have heard that it will burn up the alternator
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,904
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From: Wayland, MI
Safest to unhook the trailer. There are a ton of sensitive electronics on the new vehicle, the welder could surge and pop something. Burned up a magneto on a race truck cuz we were in a hurry to get it welded and back out to play.
Toyman
Toyman
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
What toyman said. I work in a OTR truck/trailer shop. It's always a good idea to unhook the truck form the trailer when welding.
Have I ever seen anything get fried by not unhooking.........no, but I've heard stories.......expensive electronic stories. So for peace of mind if you need to weld on the trailer take a couple of minutes and unhook. Your wallet may thank you.
Have I ever seen anything get fried by not unhooking.........no, but I've heard stories.......expensive electronic stories. So for peace of mind if you need to weld on the trailer take a couple of minutes and unhook. Your wallet may thank you.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 113
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From: Oklahoma
They recommend it always,but I tend do be lazy some days and dont unhook mine.Though I make sure the ground is as close to where you are welding as possible.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
So what about welding on the truck itself??? Kind of difficult to remove all the electronic "stuff" prior to welding.
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Brett Foote
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Use a chain to ground the area your welding.Hang the chain from within a foot or so of where your welding to the ground.electronics are an issue as well as other things.
I build headers and dont like to do it with a complete motor in the car but i will.You can weld the ring together at the ring gap and tack them to the cylinder walls.If not very well grounded.
I build headers and dont like to do it with a complete motor in the car but i will.You can weld the ring together at the ring gap and tack them to the cylinder walls.If not very well grounded.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
FWIW both exhaust shops I've had my trucks to over the years have NEVER unhooked the battery when welding on the exhaust. Is it a good idea to disconnect the battery or unhook the trailer while welding......Yes. Will it hurt anything.....if you have a good ground close to where your welding probably not. I've welded on my SD exhaust already and forgot to unhook the battery, no problems.
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
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My little brother got his Apexi Fuel computer fried out because dad didn't unhook his battery before welding the exhaust up. Lucky for him that it took the hit instead of his ECU as he was able to just unhook it and plug the wiring harness back in to the factory computer for stock fuel settings to get it going around until the replacement unit came in.
