Do auto-darkening lenses wear out?

[Captain Ledd]

Got me a welder the other week and got a chance to really play with it yesterday evening.

But my helmet which worked fantastic in my College welding class (maybe 4 years ago at this point) is a little slower, and I keep having those spots like in a camera flash. They don't hurt and they're completely gone in about 1-2 minutes. But it still makes it difficult to see where I'm trying to weld. It darkens plenty enough, but it's just a little bit too slow.

It's a solar powered unit and it's sat out in my shed for at least 2 years. I've had it by the window but not in direct sunlight (outside) due to the wind. I would imagine it'd be pretty powered up.

Does the cold do things to them too?

 

[06RangerXLT]

cold can kill it. leave it under a bright light for a few days. it may need time to fully recharge

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The internal batteries could just be toast at this point as well.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Does it have adjustment buttons? I had to play with mine a bit after not using it for a long time. It's a cheap [C$50.00] Princess Auto auto-darkening helmet. I'd get a better one if I welded more than twice a year.

Richard

 

[Captain Ledd]

yeah it's pretty cheap. I actually only paid $20 for it. I got it at the local TSC by my college, I had slacked off as per typical college student and needed a helmet that day. This was the only one they had left and it was in a heavily taped up, fixed shade, package. But whatever, there was a helmet in it, I figured there wasn't a whole lot to go wrong with it.

When I got it home, to my amazement it was an auto-darkening helmet! All things considered I was 100% satisfied with it's performance, my eyes never hurt after class and it didn't miss a beat. but even still, I'm pretty sure it was one of the $50-$60 helmets.

Since I actually OWN a welder now I guess the responses are pointing to me actually getting a more higher quality helmet. I guess I should, it's not like I'm going to be out much money with the one I have now lol. Still, that's expensive, and I have problems with buying stuff I technically already have.

Eh, I guess it's time to start putting money aside.

In the mean time I'm going to try to actually have it set in direct sunlight for the weekend. I'll have to clamp it down lol.

 

[Iron Ranger]

There's your problem. Unfortunately, a cheap helmet is what it is, a cheap helmet.

Work supplies us with a Jackson 3 in 1 lense. Probably costs a little more, but the thing lasts a very long time, takes a good amount of abuse, and uses 2 AAA batteries.

 

[railman]

if you are seeing "spots", then you are still getting some eye damage....

granted it only lasts a few minutes, but repeatedly getting them is very harmful....and could become permanent....

if it doesn't fully charge over a couple days, then by all means get a replacement....even a $400 Miller helmet is far cheaper than losing your eyes.....

l8r, John

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

I believe mine is a Speed Glass,over 10 years old,works like it was new.
I hate flash cooking my eyes.
Waking up at 3 AM with sand in your eyes sucks.

 

[Roadkill]

Try replacing the batteries and then leave it in a sunny window for a couple of days. Then test it. I have a cheap PA one that is a few years old and it still works fine. Might be needing new batteries soon though.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I have a nice miller helmet, 3 years old been through he'll under water for 24 hours and still works flawlessly... Coated a pretty penny but it has a huge window and is comfortable would spend te 250 again in a heartbeat

 

[nate09]

i weld daily at work with nothing but a cheapy from harbor freight and it does a great job. its a few years old now and i would like to get something with a larger viewing area but for now it gets the job done.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I believe mine is a Speed Glass,over 10 years old,works like it was new.
I hate flash cooking my eyes.
Waking up at 3 AM with sand in your eyes sucks.

if you are seeing "spots", then you are still getting some eye damage....

granted it only lasts a few minutes, but repeatedly getting them is very harmful....and could become permanent....

if it doesn't fully charge over a couple days, then by all means get a replacement....even a $400 Miller helmet is far cheaper than losing your eyes.....

l8r, John

The eyes don't hurt at all, but your right. Damage is still being done.

Try replacing the batteries and then leave it in a sunny window for a couple of days. Then test it. I have a cheap PA one that is a few years old and it still works fine. Might be needing new batteries soon though.

That may be what I end up doing if the sunlight things falls through. I hope I can figure out what voltage I need.

Ultimately I would like to get a better helmet, but I can't magic $250-$350 into existence. But man do some of those things seem nice. Speaking of which...

http://www.toughweld.com/products/1727-halo-x-hlx100-welding-helmet-heavy-metal

Anybody have any experience with these? Mainly going for the "NexGen EQC" ($330)

If I'm already saving up to spend nearly $300 on a fancy helmet, I might as well save a bit more and get the top of the line stuff. Hopefully it's as good as it seems.

 

[86 slo-vo]

here is the one i have...i recommend it

 

[nate09]

here is the one i have...i recommend it

I have two question for you.... how big is the actually viewing area? and how is it weight wise? i know the miller's are nice hood but never tried one myself, just dont wanna buy a helmet thats too heavy.

 

[Destroyer000]

i have the same one as above but the older version
works Amazing. its not any heavier than a normal jackson flip helmet