Lone Wolf replied:

The more I see adverts in magazines extolling the virtues of emergency welding, the more I shudder.

I have lived most of my life in the bush, including living on a cattle station. Never needed to weld on site.

Having some rudimentary equipment is one thing, learning to do it profficiently is another thing. I weld every day, and I would be hard pressed to pull a decent 5g or 6g fillet using 12 volt batteries.

I am sure wire, bolts, cordless drill, metal plates would be more advantageous.

If you wish to weld on site, please remember to offer some protection for onbord chips etc.

I am probably going to get flamed for this, but hey........ there is a limit as to what to take away, and I don't think a welder rates high on the list.

Cheers

Wolfie

Mick replied:

the more batteries you can hook up in series the better arc and weld you will get.
3 batteries, 36 volts hooked up in series did the job for us, welding a waterpump bracket together-8mm plate, still there 5 years later!!!!
12 volts just isnt quite enough, too much resistance in small jumper leads, more batteries, current can flow easier!!!