Emergency Bush Welding

garrett

garrett

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Jun 18, 2004
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It's quite safe and we teach this to military groups quite often. The only thing bad that can happen is if the guy welding keeps the stick stuck to the metal he is welding. We keep a guy at one of the batteries in case this happens and disconnect him once you hear the humming.
But then again we are doing this with the batteries in the trucks. Old FJs.......not newer vehicles laden with electronics.
 
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lordkenyon

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Oct 24, 2005
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garrett said:
It's quite safe and we teach this to military groups quite often. The only thing bad that can happen is if the guy welding keeps the stick stuck to the metal he is welding. We keep a guy at one of the batteries in case this happens and disconnect him once you hear the humming.
But then again we are doing this with the batteries in the trucks. Old FJs.......not newer vehicles laden with electronics.
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How fast can something like this drain the batteries? I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt to make sure not all the batteries in your group are in use in case you drain them to the point where you can't start the truck?

(I've seen battery welding in use before but mostly thought this was an interesting article.)
 
garrett

garrett

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We usually use three trucks, but it depends on what you're welding. You can get away with using two batteries (24 volts).
I would keep an eye on the volt gauge if you have one or start the trucks up every so often.
You certainly don't want to use this method all day long or extended periods of time. Quick fixes is the idea.
 
MUSKYMAN

MUSKYMAN

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Apr 19, 2004
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it is very simple

for most 4x4 kinda repairs astandard 6013 rod works best

36 volts with the work connected to positve and the stick held by the negative and you are good to go.
 
antichrist

antichrist

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MUSKYMAN said:
for most 4x4 kinda repairs astandard 6013 rod works best
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Absolutely. 6013 burns through crap better than what you would normally use in the shop, which would be an "18" rod. 7018, 9018, 11018. Those are all low hydrogen rods and need clean metal and proper dry storage. And ideally time in a rod oven before using.

Don't get me wrong, 6013 should be kept very dry as well. It's just more forgiving.
As for how long the batteries will last, figure 3/32 rod will be drawing 90-100 amps and 1/8 will be 110-120 amps.
Also, if you're welding something like a diff pan you'll want reverse polarity (negative ground) so you get less pentration which will lessen burn through on the thin metal.
 
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apg

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Dec 28, 2004
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Since this is usually done "RP" - that is reverse polarity, I was thinking a 6010 rod - which is a good one for penetrating rusty and/or possibly painted steel. But it has been a looong time since I did any stick welding.
 
MUSKYMAN

MUSKYMAN

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apg said:
Since this is usually done "RP" - that is reverse polarity, I was thinking a 6010 rod - which is a good one for penetrating rusty and/or possibly painted steel. But it has been a looong time since I did any stick welding.
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6010 has to be kept dryer then a 6013 and trail boxes are seldom dry...plus the 6010 has way more penetration so welding thinner material without any controls will be tougher.

allthough 6010 is considered a "all positions " rod it dosent hang welds upside down like a 6013 and when you are welding in the field often your are fixing frame and suspension related things that cant be flipped over into a flat position.

if your going to carry one type of rod...6013 get the nod from me.
 
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apg

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Dec 28, 2004
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East Virginia
Yeah...it's been a while since I did any stick welding, too. 6010 does both A/C as well as DC, both 'straight' as well as 'reversed'. Forgotten most all the rod types and whatnot, but Musky's comments are good to remember - especially WRT damp rods. (Maybe I should write 'em down...now where did I put that note pad???) I guess with the thickness of the metals we would normally be dealing with, 3/32" would probably be the rod to carry, if you only carried one size....
 
az_max

az_max

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Apr 22, 2005
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MUSKYMAN said:
6010 has to be kept dryer then a 6013 and trail boxes are seldom dry...plus the 6010 has way more penetration so welding thinner material without any controls will be tougher.

allthough 6010 is considered a "all positions " rod it dosent hang welds upside down like a 6013 and when you are welding in the field often your are fixing frame and suspension related things that cant be flipped over into a flat position.

if your going to carry one type of rod...6013 get the nod from me.
Click to expand...

what? you guys don't keep welding rod keepers in your trail boxes? Neither do I. They're stuffed in an ammo can.
 
antichrist

antichrist

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az_max said:
what? you guys don't keep welding rod keepers in your trail boxes?
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If you need 10lbs of welding rod out on the trail, you should never have gone in the first place. :p
I'd suggest something like a length of 1 1/2 or 2" PVC with a glued on cap on one end and teflon taped screw cap on the other end.
 
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