self darkening welding helmets....self undarkening too!!

rfrink

rfrink

Joined
Aug 1, 2000
Messages
863
OUCH!! I'm seeing spots this morning as my self darkening weld helmet is on the fritz and self undarkens in mid-weld!! What's up with that!! I've cleaned it.. adjusted the sensitivity...and most of the time it works fine...but dang, when it shuts off while intently staring deep into the weld puddle..it feels like someone is poking my eyes out!!

I used to love it the helmet..now I'm scared of it. It's solar powered..so no batteries..but what could be wrong?
 
yep. almost definetely the battery. thats the best thing about fixed shade helmets (maybe the only way they are better than the autos), you never have to worry about changing the batteries or if you remembered to turn it on.
 
I got a solar one for my stepdaughter when she was interested in learning to migweld, and when she stopped coming down to the shop I put it in a box, I pulled it out when my battery powered one was left in Syracuse, I found that it wasn't working reliably. I figured it must have some sort of battery, and left it out of the box facing the windows, and haven't had trouble with it since. I asked the guys at the local welding shop what was up, they said that the solar ones do indeed have a battery in them, and that some folks were starting to have issues with the batteries wearing out, but not realizing that is what the problem is, just complaining that their helmets don't work anymore. I'll bet that either A) yourhelmet isn't getting enough sun to recharge it, or B) there IS a battery, and it's starting to wear out or C) both

-Page
 
Wow!! great info!! I figured that solar powered meant no battery. I took a closer look and my lense/filter unit is sealed up...so the battery is not serviceable. Mostly, the helmet is stored in a dark closet untill I use it....so I just set it out in the sun to "charge it up". I'm getting simliar suggestions from a welding forum as well.

Thanks for the tip!!

-Rob
 
Had the same problem with my solar watch which also has a battery. No more dark storage !
 
Rob, I had similar problems with mine. Took me a while to find the battery, clean the compartment, the batteries had leaked, put new ones in then set it in the bright sun to readjust itself.
 
hmmmmmmm.....This leads to a new "Ickie" quote.

"If you want to stay in the dark, don't stay in the dark!" :cool:
Ickie 2007
 
When this happens make sure to put a wet cloth full of ice over your eyes, the arc actualy burns your retna (correct eye part?) and if you don't cool your eye it will do more damage. Also you might want to have a doctor check your eyes, or talk with a local machinist to find out if you damaged your eyes enough to talk to your doctor.
 
My Hobart auto darking helmet has a battery, but when researching which one to purchase I saw many that had non serviceable battery's.
 
Rob, With all the money you make why not hire a welder. :D Hope the burn isn't bad. Doesn't sound like a surprise I'd like to experience. After my fire all I use now is gas.
 
As a Welder for way too many years, let me give you remedy for flashburn that works rather well. Grate up some potato's, mix with a little water and place into a rag and squeeze out into a cup. Then rinse your eyes with it. The starch in the potato's helps alot.We used to keep some in icecube trays then thaw out when someone got zapped.Hope ya feel better , Rob.Dave:)
 
If its just suddenly shutting off mid weld, it might be an idea to recheck any solder joints in the circuit which may have loosened from vibration and knocking. You often cant see the faults, so if your fairly capable with soldering, just redo the lot. There should not be many.

Lang
 
My welding helmet at work does the same thing it's probabley time to change
the lense out .Ive worked at a blacksmith shop for about 20 years now.
From my dealings with the auto lense we went back to the battery powered
Alot less problems and they will give you alot more service,And you wont have the problems burning your eyes.
www.shawnelliscustomknives.com
 
I love both of my Hornel Speedglass lenses. One is a solar but, you must keep a decent battery in it. The solar is to prolong the life of the battery. I am spoiled rotten now and would have a tuff time going back to a "normal" hood. I put one on and when I drop it I am always shocked for a split second that "it is dark in here", ll, rod is pointed of in space can't find the work etc. If you weld much a QUALITY auto hood is worth every penny. Which should by the way drop to a 3 or 5 shade when they power off. If you pull out of your weld you should not suffer any eye damage unless you keep trying it. One of my 2 is a utility lense (less expensive non adjustable with less sensors) I use it in the rain or really crummy areas. If I somehow block the sensor from the weld while welding it will flash off. I have never been bothered with arc burns in this manner, but as soon as it lightens I break the arc. Many of the cheaper hoods have fewer sensors and are easily blocked when working in tight or congested areas.
 
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