Need to weld, disconnect batts

I need to disconnect the batteries to patch up some holes. I’m confused with all the batteries in this truck. Where do I need to disconnect in order to avoid frying anything? 97 lmtv with all four batts installed. Thanks!

I finally found the tm section, going to do that now.

jkcondrey said:

I need to disconnect the batteries to patch up some holes. I’m confused with all the batteries in this truck. Where do I need to disconnect in order to avoid frying anything? 97 lmtv with all four batts installed. Thanks!

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I would pull them all and zip tie them aside. Take the chance to clean your terminals while you are at it.


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Modern vehicles are not prone to damage from electric welding. Keep the negative electrode close to the work.

dmetalmiki said:

Modern vehicles are not prone to damage from electric welding. Keep the negative electrode close to the work.

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That statement concerns me. Did you actually say what you meant to say?

Edit. Looking back at my post I interpreted dmetalmiki's statement to mean that disconnecting grounds was not needed because they were tolerant to being welded on. I interpreted wrong. Sorry 'bout that.

tennmogger said:

That statement concerns me. Did you actually say what you meant to say?

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Exactly what he said. Keep the welder ground wire close to where you’re working.

But definitely make sure every battery’s connection to ground is open if you decide to do that.

I was working at a creamery in the UK near Chard in England. I was installing a new and expensive process control system that had the computers mounted inside a stainless steel enclosure. A Danish company was also on site, performing some stainless steel pipe installation. A Danish welder put the ground clamp on the exterior of my computer cabinet. It fried everything in that cabinet and also fried other electronics remotely located in the plant that had wires interconnected. After that, I always disconnect the negative battery lead, regardless of whether I think I really need to.

NormB said:

Exactly what he said. Keep the welder ground wire close to where you’re working.

But definitely make sure every battery’s connection to ground is open if you decide to do that.

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Ha ha, of course thats a true statement if you add the "disconnect battery" part. The OP had it right.