Welding to an engine with electronic ingition

[Tazza]

There was a thread a few days back about welding to a Bobcat frame that made me think about stationary engines.
I need to work on a muncher with a 25hp Kohler V twin on it. There are multiple stress fractures on the machine from vibration that need welding up. I just don't want to get the welder out and find that i cooked the ignition coil(s). Its key start, so i'll remove a cable so i don't blow up the voltage regulator, but will the rest be ok? I'd always figure they run at a much higher voltage than the welder does, but you never know.
Has anyone had experience with this?

 

[SkidRoe]

Hi Tazza,
This is a common occurance in my day job. The conservative answer is to disconnect all electronic components (within reason), and the battery. Disconnecting the key switch is an absolute must, as most small gas engines short the ignition circuit to ground in order to kill the motor.
The biggest area concern is the voltage that the electronics themselves work on: 5 VDC. Combine this with a chassis ground and you have a direct path to the electronics themselves for a stray voltage potential to wreak its havoc.
With this in mind, one other precaution that I normally take is to keep the welding machine's ground clamp very close to the area being welded, to keep the area exposed to a voltage potential to a minimum.
Hope this helps.

 

[Tazza]

Hi Tazza,
This is a common occurance in my day job. The conservative answer is to disconnect all electronic components (within reason), and the battery. Disconnecting the key switch is an absolute must, as most small gas engines short the ignition circuit to ground in order to kill the motor.
The biggest area concern is the voltage that the electronics themselves work on: 5 VDC. Combine this with a chassis ground and you have a direct path to the electronics themselves for a stray voltage potential to wreak its havoc.
With this in mind, one other precaution that I normally take is to keep the welding machine's ground clamp very close to the area being welded, to keep the area exposed to a voltage potential to a minimum.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for the advise, i never even thought about the key switch, i'll have to make sure i disconnect it. It makes good sense. I'll keep the earth clamp close too.