Can anyone advise if it is possible to weld to the frame of my caravan without causing any electrical problems with such things battery charger, solar, A/C and D/C circuits, fridge and anything else electrical in the van.
I would make sure that all power was switched off, no connection to 240 volt, and that the battery was disconnected.
The welding is very minor, just tacking a couple of things to the draw bar.
Thank You, Gavanator
PeterInSa said
09:52 AM Jul 30, 2017
And the breakaway battery disconnected if you have one.
Possum3 said
10:31 AM Jul 30, 2017
Gavanator, As the draw bar is subjected to high stress from weight, twist, etc. I would suggest that you clamp items to draw bar with "U Bolts" instead of welding which may effect the tensile strength of you unit - Many a van has had it's back broken by welding. Additionally ensure you are watching your weights if adding things on to draw bar that were not on original design calculations. (both ball weight and total mass).
Aus-Kiwi said
10:32 AM Jul 30, 2017
Disconnect - battery . If welding when it's earthed or touching ground ? Helps even more to limit electrical surge .
Aus-Kiwi said
10:34 AM Jul 30, 2017
Disconnect - battery . 240v . If welding when it's earthed or touching ground ? Helps even more to limit electrical surge from welder
blaze said
10:47 AM Jul 30, 2017
Have a clean earthing point close to your area to weld and weld. You only have problems when you spread the distance from point of earth to point of welding. You don't think they run around disconnecting all the power from a metal factory when weld to the frame which could have all sorts of electronics in it
cheers
blaze
Gavanator said
11:46 AM Jul 30, 2017
Thank you all for the information, I wonder at times when I see metal screw bolts drilled into the draw bar eg outside water tap, brackets etc surely they must have an effect on strength of things, my welding is only a tack, about 5mm to stop my Anderson hitch moving forward when traveling, it is currently held in place by heavy plate steel brackets bolted top and bottom and an Allen head screw screwed into the draw bar. The movement of the steel brackets is small, about 5mm. Maybe I am being over cautious.
Best regards, to everyone, Gavanator
macka17 said
12:26 PM Jul 30, 2017
NOT experienced welder.
Fishplates and bolts.
Several STAGGERED holes. NOT in line.
Chassis normally High Tensile Preheated jobs.
You neeed to reheat to reset.
Not practical.
Hot galv chassis fine.
Any H\T Treatment they ever had.
was gone when they were dipped into the hot vats for coating.
If load bearing.
A good idea is a spacer sleeve on bolt. measured to outside width of chassis rail. and inserted through one of the side holes.
to stop compression\distortion of chassis rail when tensioning bolt.(old school)
If overlong. just file down to suit. Too Short. Flat washer to suit.
Just play to evade any pre stresses b4 any loads appplied.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:19 PM Jul 30, 2017
Being a caravan ? I assume it would be fairly light material ? Boxing with anti crush bolts and a little weld to hold in place . Depending what you want it for ? A rear box etc . Strength is king but as light as possible !!
Baz421 said
06:45 PM Jul 30, 2017
Put the earth lead on the piece you are attaching to the caravan clamp in place and weld - easy after you disconnect batteries etc.
kezngaz said
06:09 PM Jul 31, 2017
Hi Gavanator, rather than welding your draw bar, would it not be easier to weld a bracket between the two Andersen brackets which in turn will stop them moving both forward or backwards.
As others have mentioned, its not a straight forward job welding to the draw bar.
Im not a coded welder so cant comment on that process.
Hope this helps.
Kezngaz.
banjo said
08:00 PM Jul 31, 2017
I have welded and repaired a few A frames on trailers and a couple of vans, good engineering practice and the ability to see you are not weakening the structure by the welds is the key.
Also manufactured 3 trailers 8x4, and a car transporter, non have failed and as I always over engineer, don't suppose they will.
Most weld failures are caused by bad practice and stress cracks due to this.
oldtrack123 said
10:51 AM Aug 6, 2017
blaze wrote:
Have a clean earthing point close to your area to weld and weld. You only have problems when you spread the distance from point of earth to point of welding. You don't think they run around disconnecting all the power from a metal factory when weld to the frame which could have all sorts of electronics in it cheers blaze
Totally agree
The main thing is to have the RETURN /earth firmly clamped as close as possible to a clean bright metal surface of the part being welded to.
NO joints between the clamp & area being welded
Then ensure that is the only area that the the arc touches .
Be sure you are not creating stress raisers in parts subject to flexing
Welds in the wrong places can ended up with cracked draw bars
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 6th of August 2017 10:54:22 AM
Aus-Kiwi said
11:09 AM Aug 6, 2017
You'll be fine . Just spot welds .
Big Mal said
05:29 PM Aug 6, 2017
As stated disconnect batteries, is always good policy and saves money............Since you have to ask the question I would say have an experienced welder do the job on your draw bar, they aren't like truck chassis, just normal old steel and not much of it and a handyman with a stick can blow a hole so easy, if you must weld on it never weld across the top of the bar even though you will see brackets stuck on that way it is not a great idea, same goes for holes drilled into it...It's load bearing and does have to cope with some stress.
Can anyone advise if it is possible to weld to the frame of my caravan without causing any electrical problems with such things battery charger, solar, A/C and D/C circuits, fridge and anything else electrical in the van.
I would make sure that all power was switched off, no connection to 240 volt, and that the battery was disconnected.
The welding is very minor, just tacking a couple of things to the draw bar.
Thank You, Gavanator
cheers
blaze
Thank you all for the information, I wonder at times when I see metal screw bolts drilled into the draw bar eg outside water tap, brackets etc surely they must have an effect on strength of things, my welding is only a tack, about 5mm to stop my Anderson hitch moving forward when traveling, it is currently held in place by heavy plate steel brackets bolted top and bottom and an Allen head screw screwed into the draw bar. The movement of the steel brackets is small, about 5mm. Maybe I am being over cautious.
Best regards, to everyone, Gavanator
Fishplates and bolts.
Several STAGGERED holes. NOT in line.
Chassis normally High Tensile Preheated jobs.
You neeed to reheat to reset.
Not practical.
Hot galv chassis fine.
Any H\T Treatment they ever had.
was gone when they were dipped into the hot vats for coating.
If load bearing.
A good idea is a spacer sleeve on bolt. measured to outside width of chassis rail. and inserted through one of the side holes.
to stop compression\distortion of chassis rail when tensioning bolt.(old school)
If overlong. just file down to suit. Too Short. Flat washer to suit.
Just play to evade any pre stresses b4 any loads appplied.
Put the earth lead on the piece you are attaching to the caravan clamp in place and weld - easy after you disconnect batteries etc.
As others have mentioned, its not a straight forward job welding to the draw bar.
Im not a coded welder so cant comment on that process.
Hope this helps.
Kezngaz.
Also manufactured 3 trailers 8x4, and a car transporter, non have failed and as I always over engineer, don't suppose they will.
Most weld failures are caused by bad practice and stress cracks due to this.
Totally agree
The main thing is to have the RETURN /earth firmly clamped as close as possible to a clean bright metal surface of the part being welded to.
NO joints between the clamp & area being welded
Then ensure that is the only area that the the arc touches .
Be sure you are not creating stress raisers in parts subject to flexing
Welds in the wrong places can ended up with cracked draw bars
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 6th of August 2017 10:54:22 AM