"JR North" wrote: On cars, clamping next to the weld is risky,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No, that is the right way to do it. What you DON'T want to do is put the
ground clamp somewhere else, for two reasons: 1.) Don't give the welding
current a return path that could include any electronics. 2.) Don't give
the welding current a path that includes any bearings. Disconnecting the
battery is not necessary--the welding current isn't going that way, and
wouldn't hurt the battery if it did. The battery can handle hundreds of
amps easily. And you are right: disconnecting the battery could cause you
to have to reprogram a bunch of stuff, including your radio stations and the
radio's antitheft lockout.