Anyone tried this welding technique?

I've heard of drag racers doing battery welding at the race track when something broke. It got them back on the track and/or home. Isn't that guy in the film risking his lung health by having his head in that welding smoke?
 
looks like a good way to blow up some batteries and risk getting battery acid in your eyes and all over your shop. too dangerous for me!
batteries get hot and emit hydrogen gas, a small spark will ignite it and ouch!!!
fordestes
 
Hmmm. 24 OCV; sounds about right. This would probably work in a pinch and might get you home in an emergency. I agree with the safety concerns and wouldn't do this on a regular basis. Better make sure the rods are OK for DC welding. Since there is no control over the current doing this, finding the proper size rod would be mainly trial and error. Anybody wanna try and report back?
 
One could try-out this "emergency" welding technique along with trying-out this old emergency jack stand technique.......priceless! DD

222354
 
I have used a golf cart to weld many times
You hAve to be quick to get the rod unstuck and back to an arc-- dead short not good, something will melt-- then you have battery terminal problemr
 
This would work with small diameter electrodes but the 24 volts from 2 batteries would probly drop to low when trying to strike and arc. 3 batteries for larger electrodes may work. When I was in the welding supply someone had a holder for welding from batteries that was sold to farmers. Someone also made a small MIG gun to operate from batteries. Most of this type equipment never worked to good and dropped out of site. G.M.
 
He didn't say what kind or size rod he used. I would guess 3/32 or 1/8' dia. 7014 electrode (since he is using straight polarity ).....Bob L
 
They also made carbon arc torches that ran off the car battery. This was a piece of carbon with a wood handle and an alligator clip on a wire attached to the carbon. If I remember as this was over 60 years ago the carbon was maybe 10 inches long and tapered at the working end. The part to be soldered or braised was grounded and the carbon tip glowed red when grounded and heated the joint. G.M.
 
I had a short class in High School on carbon arc welding. I believe it was a Farney welding machine.
Bruce
 
cmbrucew said:
I had a short class in High School on carbon arc welding. I believe it was a Farney welding machine.
Bruce
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Your right, I couldn't remember Forney. I should have remembered I made some wire feeders for them and knew Jack Forney pretty well. They also made the Forney Air Coupe. G.M.
 
SP_51-F1 said:
I know offroaders who do this to fix breaks on the trail.
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As said... this has been a common off-roaders repair technique for 'eons'. Can't say I've tried it myself, but I've watched it numerous times. I haven't seen any problems, no 'near-accidents', seemed to work ok.
two batteries, enough jumper cables, rod, helmet, and your in business.
No need to try this at home, but out in the boonies it's a good resource.
 
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