Battery Welding

I can stick weld alright. Figure I'll carry some 6013 and 7018 rods.

Anyone ever tried just off one battery? I mean even if there birdshit welds, as long as they could hold something together.

I know really optimally you need at least two but more often than not I'm exploring alone (though it usually only involves pretty mild four wheeling, just in very remote areas). Or at least with only the single rig with a single battery. I know dual battery would be the way to go and I could cover all my bases but not sure I'll have the money to throw down on a battery and all the wiring needed.

Just wondering if anyones stuck something together with 1 battery long enough to get them off the trail or back home, or if you can even strike an arc.

I guess I could try and see but figured I'd ask here.

 

THere is a guy on TTORA that built 80% of his Desert LT truck and cage with a Ready welder. I think he used dual batteries

 

Yeah, I think you're talking about Logan. Dude's pretty good at improvising.

Yeah, I'd pull the battery out of the truck and place it back a ways. I'm gonna make some cables up to connect multiple batteries since I have a bunch of welding cable but just wondered just in case worst comes to worst and I can't source a second battery.

 

seems like it just would not be good on the battery. i reckon in a tight situation you do what you have to do. also if you weld with the battery even if you get a problem fixed how od you know you have enough juice left to get the rig cranked and back home.

 

It's not gonna blow up, tried and trued method with multiple batteries at any rate.

I don't think I'd run it down enough to kill it, but it does raise a good point. At least at that point I'd just be waiting for someone to come along and jump me rather than being completely fucked with a broken part. I could possibly push start the truck too being manual.

I'm not envisioning needing to weld for any lengthy period of time, just a few beads to hold something together -- just have to evaluate in the moment.

 

i understand it can be done and in an emergency situation its better than nothing. still doesnt seem very good on the batteries though.

 

No it wouldn't be haha, neither is 400a amps from a full load winch pull