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| | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 | Anybody have thoughts on doing some mig welding on your truck without disconnecting the generator? Just seem like a smart idea to not have any current flowing into it, battery is out on and the bench for the winter. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Take it off, a few wires, a few bolts. Never heard of it, but could happen if welding near it maybe, probably not. There are no high class, sensitive electronics in it. What about the coil, the points, the condenser, the radio, the regulator, the bulb filaments, the gauges, all the wiring, the fuses, the gas fumes...... 
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 | If the battery is out on the bench , as you say , how is any current going to go thru the generator ?
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 | Theoretically speaking-- from the electrical arc of the welding. Like Chief says, I also have never heard of it, but I'm sure somebody who knows somebody had a buddy-mechanic see a generator get damaged that way.
Something tells me you would have to be connecting the circuit by welding on the actual generator or mounts to cause any problems (to the generator).
Brad
Wrench Fetcher, PhD | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 | Generators are as tough as a 2-dollar steak. At worst, it might have to be re-polarized. Don't worry about disconnecting anything unless it makes you feel better to do it. OEM-replacement solid state voltage regulators definitely need to be disconnected or removed, however. Alternators, or any other solid-state devices- - - -definitely disconnect or remove them! Voltage spikes created by welding can, and do damage parts with diodes, transistors, integrated circuits, etc. That's particularly true of computers, CD players, digital clocks, or anything else with a constant-voltage "keep alive" circuit.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 | Thanks that's kinda what I figured, with the battery out should be no problem.
Never hurts to ask as I may not be the only one on here learning about welding or rust-oration. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 | Keep the welding ground close to your work and you should be fine, you don't want the welder arcing through any bearings. Mike B | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | "Never hurts to ask as I may not be the only one on here learning about welding or rust-oration." Truer words were never spoken. It's what this site is for. You are right, a question builds a post full of hints, tips and a learning experience for all levels.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
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