Welding
- Thread starter ferguson
- Start date
Actually disconnecting the battery does little to protect an ECU. The ECU and it's circuits are still there. Any stray voltage is going to come from the ground circuit and that is not isolated when disconnecting the battery. The proper way to protect an ECU or any other electrical component is to disconnect it from the circuits on the machine. This may involve only disconnecting the harness but may also involve removal from the machine.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
hmm, if the ignition switch totally disconnects +12 battery from the tractor, then removing the ground does nothing..........
Whoever said that an ignition switch disconnects the battery from the tractor? In most cases it does not, especially on newer electronically controlled machines.
What people are confusing is battery current flow through a machine and stray current from a welder. Stray current can easily run up a ground connection into and through the circuitry of an ECU or other component. and return through another signal or ground connection. This is what damages ECU's or electrical components.
Unless one has a schematic diagram of what is within the ECU box, this conclusion is uncertain.
It could be true or false.
Myself, I do not know, and fortunately I do not care, as I do not have ECUs on either of my tractors or the excavator.
In the case of newer tractors with electronics involved, disconnecting the negative battery terminal cannot hurt, when welding, and will likely help to minimize the possibility of damage due to welding.
If it is an exercise in futility, it still only takes a minute or two...
I don't see any suggestions regarding welding in this thread...or even a question...
BUT if you learned something from input gained elsewhere at OTT, good for you.
You might post your thanks to that thread...
If you were welding on your frame, your conclusion about removing it might have less weight.
EDIT: WAIT: I am totally confused now. I thought I was responding to a thread that showed only three posts!
GIVE ME A BREAK here... not sure the reason....but I accept my guilt...justified or otherwise...LOL
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That is exactly the reasoning I used when I asked about the dead horse. You only used more words to accomplish the same msg while seemingly criticizing me for it.
My friend has a 68 Chevelle, 632" engine. MSD ignition box (grid) and distributor. Runs on methanol.
We were doing some welding on the chassis a while back and completed our task, went to hook the battery back up and start the engine as normal. cranks over just fine but wouldn't start. No spark. Box fried; had it sent off and they wanted to know what happened as several circuits within the box were damaged. They "fixed" the box and sent it back, wasn't cheap but it runs again.
Might be something to it, might not. Dunno. maybe coincidental?
We were doing some welding on the chassis a while back and completed our task, went to hook the battery back up and start the engine as normal. cranks over just fine but wouldn't start. No spark. Box fried; had it sent off and they wanted to know what happened as several circuits within the box were damaged. They "fixed" the box and sent it back, wasn't cheap but it runs again.
Might be something to it, might not. Dunno. maybe coincidental?
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Most after market ignition systems( magic black boxes) aren't designed or built 'properly'...
...won't install <$1 worth of components or they'll use substandard parts NOT spec'd for the purpose.
Sadly this happens more and more today..
Meanwhile, I've got a couple of original MARK10 CDI boxes here from my '67 stang days..still working....
...won't install <$1 worth of components or they'll use substandard parts NOT spec'd for the purpose.
Sadly this happens more and more today..
Meanwhile, I've got a couple of original MARK10 CDI boxes here from my '67 stang days..still working....
Hmmm. That's a new one on me. I've never heard of an ignition switch that does that.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
3 of 4 of my tractors do that,for sure the forklift, ...as did the combine and the other 6 or 7 I've sold over the years
ONLY the BX23S has live power 'here and there' with the ignition key off
ONLY the BX23S has live power 'here and there' with the ignition key off
That doesn't mean that the battery is disconnected from the tractor, only that no circuits are live. Those are two VERY different things.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Geohorn, I am totally confused now...I thought I was replying to ruger1980.That is exactly the reasoning I used when I asked about the dead horse. You only used more words to accomplish the same msg while seemingly criticizing me for it.
I did not mean my tone to be criticizing...was just trying to say without actually knowing what the circuitry is within the ECU, we can only make assumptions.
Granted, if the ECU is fully disconnected then (aside from welding sparks/heat damaging it) it should be fully protected. But disconnecting it might not be necessary.
Newer tractors also have electronic displays that could be damaged. Maybe other things that this low tech tractor owner can't comprehend. But where does it end?
After reading and digesting this thread, if somebody now asked me what he should do before welding on his new, high tech tractor, I would reply to disconnect everything electronic and remove the battery negative lead. And cross your fingers!
Glad my tractors are old school.
You also replied to ferguson…and any post made within a forum-thread is actually addressed to the readers at-large.
I wasn’t looking to criticise or blind-side youor anyone else…but we should all recognize a discussion-forum is an open/Group discussion….with every reader a participant in the topic. That is how a forum can serve/educate everyone (at least that’s the way I view it in my little world.)No intent to flame or antagonize anyone…just wanting a friendly relation with all.