welding to a flat deck ??

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ok guys..first of all this is going to sound like a stupid question and make me look like rookie but whatever....i need a proper answer !!i recently purchased an 02 ram 3500 with a nice welding deck mounted up...im running a Vantage 400D machine on the truck which i can only assume is grounded to the truck as well....my dilema here is that i have a few things i need to weld onto the truck deck itself ( fire extinguisher brackets, another spool for 120 power).....can i do this without any problems????    i know in the past i have done work off of the deck but i have always grounded directly to the work piece itself, never actually welding directly TO the truck deck....i notice that the previous owner has everything bolted to the deck....the welder itself has 3/4" plywood between it and the deck and the shell-ryn spools are also bolted to the deck which makes me wonder if i should be welding anything TO the deck....you might laugh at me asking this and thats fine but ill admit with all my welding experience i really dont know the answer......thanks...
Reply:99 times out of 100 you will not have a problem. If it were me I would grind off some paint very close to the welding area to put my ground clamp and weld away. I weld on equipment with computer controlled engines all the time and the manufacturers say as a precaution to disconnect the battery and the coolant level sensors (direct ground to ECM) but they admit that it is unlikely I would have an issue if I forgot. My $.02.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Do not assume anything when welding.Disconnect the battery of the truck. The reason is that if for a fraction of a sec ground is not good enough ground, the load will find the next best ground and that can be through the alternator or any other electrical parts.Also Clip a ground on the truck bed or close to where you are welding and connect that to ground in your garage or workshop .Or just pound a copper coated ground rod into the earth near where you are working.One time I failed to do that and I was welding or grinding and standing on wet grass. I was using a portable generator. I got one of the worst shocks I have ever had. The generator was not grounded to earth. I could have been killed. I had on good boots and wool socks too.Do not forget that ground rod. Just buy one at the hardware store and cut it off to a reasonable length and keep it in a handy place on your truck. Use a # 6 stranded copper wire . A good size wire.Always place the welding machine ground near where you are welding so that you are welding towards the ground.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 02-14-2011 at 04:01 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Skoal wrote ... "ok guys..first of all this is going to sound like a stupid question and make me look like rookie but whatever...."  To have wondered and not asked this question would have been a mistake.  By asking you resolve your doubts and assist in the education of the rest of us.  Keep the questions coming.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomAlso Clip a ground on the truck bed or close to where you are welding and connect that to ground in your garage or workshop .Or just pound a copper coated ground rod into the earth near where you are working.
Reply:perfect...thanks guys !!
Reply:Just so you know...  I have ruined a pcm on a vehicle by weling to the frame installing a gooseneck trailor hitch.  Or a fifth wheel.  cant remember but it was a late nineties dodge pickup.  I didnt disconnect the battery and it killed the low side driver for the primary ignition coil.  i always disconnect the battery now, both terminals.  If it's anything stupid like a MB or a cayenne I will also ground the vehicle to a lift or something.  My two cents.
Reply:i welded on my 2 fire extinguisher brackets this afternoon....wire wheeled everywhere i was welding clean of any paint and wire wheeled a nice clean contact for the ground on the extinguisher clamp as well....everything went fine....tomorrow i will be doing the same for my power reel....im keeping the ground clamp directly on the workpiece with a clean contacti didnt disconnect the batteries although im sure yes, it is the proper thing to do and i will not argue with that at all....the welder is neutrally grounded as well is the truck deck to the frame....
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomDo not assume anything when welding.Disconnect the battery of the truck. The reason is that if for a fraction of a sec ground is not good enough ground, the load will find the next best ground and that can be through the alternator or any other electrical parts.Also Clip a ground on the truck bed or close to where you are welding and connect that to ground in your garage or workshop .Or just pound a copper coated ground rod into the earth near where you are working.One time I failed to do that and I was welding or grinding and standing on wet grass. I was using a portable generator. I got one of the worst shocks I have ever had. The generator was not grounded to earth. I could have been killed. I had on good boots and wool socks too.Do not forget that ground rod. Just buy one at the hardware store and cut it off to a reasonable length and keep it in a handy place on your truck. Use a # 6 stranded copper wire . A good size wire.Always place the welding machine ground near where you are welding so that you are welding towards the ground.