Preparing for welding

[MicrAde]

As some of you nice people may have noticed I have just found a couple of areas of my K11 that require a little attention from a welder. Now, me being cheap I will probably be undertaking this myself so my question is, as it will be mig welding, what precautions do I need to undertake to protect the electrical circuits/ecu etc? Thanks in advance, Ade

 

[frank]

i never bothered disconnecting anything when i used to do body repairs ade

 

[MicrAde]

i never bothered disconnecting anything when i used to do body repairs ade

Cheers frank On the k10 I didn't bother but that is pretty old tech, I just wondered if the welding current could affect ecu or other electrical items.

 

[mrcheese]

Disconnect the battery just to be safe.. this will isolate electrical components.

 

[tomwest]

agreed with mrcheese. i welded on my old vectra without the battery disconnected. nothing actually went wrong, but its definitely a risk i wont be taking again, especially for so little extra effort.

 

[Guy]

Might be worth having a fire extinguisher on standby as well. It's easy for paint on the back of the weld to ignite with the temperatures involved .

 

[Jay101]

Prep is essential. Don't wanna catch your carpets on fire. So I'd take them up and just leave a gap in between metal a d carpet.

Have an easy access point if a fire does occur. Ie leave a door or window open. Like Guy said have a fire extinguisher or watering can ready.

 

[MicrAde]

Thanks for your replies everybody, all good, sound advice This job has been put on hold until the weather improves somewhat The area that is being welded will be stripped of combustible material and I do have a fire extinguisher My main concern was whether the welding current would do any damage to electrical circuits or ecu. Thanks y'all