WELDING CHASSIS, DISCONNECT BATTERY AND WHAT ELSE???

lrjohn · Apr 16, 2020

I'm about to weld on (MIGwelder) a new crossmember to my Defender TD5 and I've been trying to find some definitive words on what should be done to protect the electrics. Seems there is quite a lot of different opinions on various forums about whether the battery, alternator and ECU should be disconnected.

I seem to remember long time ago that it was generally thought alternators should be disconnected to protect their electronics but as I say the opinions are totally mixed.

I'm hoping there may be someone on the forum who does chassis welding professionally and can advise from their professional experience, and of course anyone else who wants to comment.

Thanks in advance

bankz5152 · Apr 16, 2020

Ecu and battery.

Should be fine.

RangeRoller dt · Apr 16, 2020

Fire extinguisher

Bantam1 · Apr 16, 2020

lrjohn said:
I'm about to weld on (MIGwelder) a new crossmember to my Defender TD5 and I've been trying to find some definitive words on what should be done to protect the electrics. Seems there is quite a lot of different opinions on various forums about whether the battery, alternator and ECU should be disconnected.

I seem to remember long time ago that it was generally thought alternators should be disconnected to protect their electronics but as I say the opinions are totally mixed.

I'm hoping there may be someone on the forum who does chassis welding professionally and can advise from their professional experience, and of course anyone else who wants to comment.

Thanks in advance

I always disconnect the alternator.
Never considered why but a wise old chap once told me and I have always done so.

rich28uk · Apr 16, 2020

Iv just done small patch on td5 disco and spoke to a mechanic about it, he now uses a surge protector but previous to that just took battery neg terminal off and kept weld return lead as close as possible to the arc. He was saying defenders/ discos arnt to bad as most things are isolated from the chassis with body mounts/ rubber engine mounts etc.
Rich.

lrjohn · Apr 20, 2020

Thames for the responses guys, very helpful

nobber · Apr 27, 2020

Ive welded a few things up, only ever used a surge protector across the battery.

WELDING CHASSIS, DISCONNECT BATTERY AND WHAT ELSE???

lrjohn

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bankz5152

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RangeRoller dt

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Bantam1

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rich28uk

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lrjohn

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nobber

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