Welding vs. computers (was RE: [Gmecm] Wide band 02 sensors)

[Jason M.]

Well you'd think that since we were welding on steel hooked to carbon fiber 
where the PI system was at, that it would be safer too.

Pretty much this happened because it was a PI system.  They are just made up 
of much more delicate electronics.  I haven't seen the literature on it, 
back in 2003 we got it used from a local IRL team, but was told there were 
numerous warnings about not doing what we did.

Probably the main reason you (and I) have not damaged electronics while 
welding on vehicles is the electronics are just more robust, they have to be 
to survive in a mobile application like an automobile.  With all the 
vibration, temperature variation etc...

And yes the current should travel the path of least resistance while 
welding, generally that would be the shortest distance between the clamp and 
the weldment you are working on.  Don't know if the magnetic forces 
generated by the current in the metal would be great enough to cause a 
problem, even in our case of 2-3 feet of seperation between welding and the 
electronics that died.

No matter what it is good practice to disconnect the battery, and remove 
more sensative/costly electronics before welding on a vehicle.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Chase" <doug at chaserace.com>
To: <gmecm at diy-efi.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 4:47 PM
Subject: Welding vs. computers (was RE: [Gmecm] Wide band 02 sensors)


> Could you elaborate on how this happened?
>
> I've heard stories like this but never any details.  I've heard things 
> like
> "disconnect the battery before welding on a car or you'll fry the 
> computer"
> but that doesn't make sense to me.  It seems that if you choose your 
> ground
> carefully (as close to the weld as you can get it, both physically and
> electrically) there should be no problem.  I've welded on a lot of cars 
> like
> this and have never damaged any electronics.
>
> I'm interested in hearing more about how this happened to you guys so I 
> can
> avoid it.
>
> Doug Chase
> www.chaserace.com
> 425-269-5636