dewey7015

Hey guys,
Question...
If I disconnect the battery, do you think I could get away with welding my side steps on, without frying the electrical system? Smittybuild bars=light construction, so I pulled out all of the inserts in the bars, and just want to weld them directly to the brackets.
any thoughts?

rsbmg

It doesn't hurt but you dont HAVE to disconnect the battery. Nothing is going to be fried by welding on your vehicle.

dewey7015

Thanks!
Seriously, this forum is good stuff. always someone willing to give advice.
D.

Twinkydog

Keep your ground clamp as close to the area being welded as practical. The current from the welder is going to pass from the ground to the electrode. Clamping on one side of the jeep and welding on the other is bad mojo. Good luck.

7kings

Why would it fry your electrical system? The electricity flowing from the welder wants to complete its own circuit, which is not related to the circuit your Jeep's battery is creating.

You should be fine.

stagedtrip

I've welded on a dozen vehicles never disconnected the battery, never had a problem. Path of least resistance to ground is just that, not some random path through the vehicle, but electricity is still only a theory.

ABENDX

Nothing to add... I weld all the time on my car with the battery connected. Never an issue.