Welding and alternator

interference

by Tracey_E - 2020-02-17 13:16:32

ARC welding isn't recommended, other types are ok. If you do a search of the old posts, this comes up fairly often. 

Unless you plan to hug it while the engine is running, the alternator won't hurt you. 

welding

by hwilli2134 - 2020-02-17 18:17:07

I have heard welding a no no and others say it is OK if you take precautions of not holding the arc for only a few seconds and twisting the leads will lessen the danger, I was a welder in my ocupation only weld occasionally now, I know some out there still weld, like to hear their experience, I like your opinion on alternators, it about matches my feeling about it, magnetic fields aren't susposed to harm the pace maker just interfer with it's function for a short time. Thanks for your comment!

correct

by Tracey_E - 2020-02-17 19:18:10

magnets won't harm it, worst case temporarily change the mode so it's not pacing as much. That may or may not be an issue, depends how much you pace. 

alternator

by Theknotguy - 2020-02-17 22:58:40

As TraceyE said, you'd probably have to be hugging the alternator for it to cause any problems.  

Got called by my daughter-in-law.  Car needed jump start.  Forgot about my pacemaker, hooked up her car, made the jump and the car started running.  Was leaning over the running engine, no problems.  And that was six years ago.  So newer pacemakers should do better.  

Also work in a charity woodshop.  Run all the equipment with no problems.  Was drilling Kreg-Jig pocket screw holes.  Forgot about my pacemaker.  Drilled about a hundred holes, got tired and started using my shoulder to push in the running 110 volt power drill.  My pacemaker was lying on top of a running 110 volt power drill.  I finally figured out what I was doing after about another 100 holes.  "Shouldn't be doing this!", I thought.  No problems.   Zilch, nada, nothing.  

So the newer pacemakers don't seem to be as sensitive as we are led to believe.  

One thing I wouldn't put on or less than six inches from my pacemaker is one of those newer rare-earth magnets.  Friend of mine got some and they were so strong he had to use a pry bar to force them apart.  I will strongly suggest you don't let one of them get closer than six inches to your pacemaker.

Otherwise go for it.  
 

Welding and alternators

by AgentX86 - 2020-02-17 23:12:24

Don't believe those who say a magnet won't hurt anything.  That may be true of fixed magnets but AC magnetic fields can cause pacemakers to "over sense".  That is, the moving magnetic field induces a voltage in the leads causing the pacemaker to think that a heartbeat occured when it didn't.  If you're dependent on your pacemaker, this can be really serious.  If you're not dependent, the chances of something bad happening are reduced by a good amount.

My EP forbids me from welding or operating a riding lawn mower.  The proble with the riding law mower is that you're sitting directly on an alternator made out of the cheapest parts bought from the cheapest Chinese factory possible.  Automotive alternators are less of a problem, primarily because they're much furter away and designed better.  He still doesn't like the idea of working on a car engine (leaning over the alternator).  All other yard tools are OK because they don't have alternators and you're generally using them at arm's length.

We're going to continue to have this discussion until people understand the difference between an EM field (not a problem with "modern" Pacemakers), a DC magnetic field (not a problem), and an AC magnetic field (a potential problem).

Again, if you're not dependent, the chances of having a problem are much less than those of us who are.

welding

by hwilli2134 - 2020-02-18 07:01:39

Thanks for your input.