Auto-Darkening Helmet

[Eddie89]

On the more expensive hoods you can change the darkness on it. The one I had went from a 7 to a 10. So it worked very well all the time and was solar and battery powered. Never had a prob with it just hit the reset button before you start welding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Even the cheap $49 hoods have variable lens shades and delay setting. Delay in going back light not like some folks think it is delay in darkening, why would anyone think you would want a delay in the darkening when welding, DUH> One thing some of the high end hoods have is a setting for grinding so the lens doesnt darken from the sparks. My $49 Harbor Freight has variable from 8-12 shade but you cant grind with it because it darkens as soon as the first sparks come of the grinder.
Having this option would be nice but I can remove my hood and put on my faceshield lots of times before paying $300 for a hood when the welding lens part works just as well.

 

[flusher]

I used a $50 AD helmet from Northern Tool

Wel-Bilt Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

Works fine--never been flashed.
My concern is more about UV getting inside the helmet via reflections off my jacket into the chin area and from reflections off stuff that's behind me. I generally wear a pair of UV400 goggles under my helmet to eliminate this problem.

 

[k0ua]

As for the solar units not working because they are stored in the dark, yes that is true, but it only takes a couple of minutes in the light to charge them up. At least that has been my experience, and I always test any AD hood before welding by looking up close at a bright light to see if it works. On my old battery powered Jackson, I have found it not to work due to dead battery's several times, and always tested before welding. Just seems like common sense to me. Neither of mine have a grind mode, but I just take it off and put on the face shield. I am not doing welding and fabrication for a business I am repairing things and building mostly as a hobby. If I was a welding professional I might buy a better, more time saving helmet. But for me the 42 dollar Northern Tool solar powered unit is a great value.

James K0UA

 

[dstig1]

They all have a battery in them, even the "pure solar" versions, AFAIK. They need it to store some level of energy to keep the unit working when there isn't quite enough light (like when you aren't yet welding). Some make it easy to change those batteries, others not so easy as they are permanently installed and you would have to tear the unit apart and possibly do some soldering to replace it. The solar cells provide a boost and operating power when welding, but they can't stay on in dim light conditions without a battery, so the cell helps charge that too.

 

[bigtiller]

Do you guys with the auto-darkening masks miss the big lens?

My mask has a lens that is 4.5 x 5.25 inches and it seams that a 2x4 inch would be hard to get accustomed to?

 

[Jeepnford]

Do you guys with the auto-darkening masks miss the big lens?

My mask has a lens that is 4.5 x 5.25 inches and it seams that a 2x4 inch would be hard to get accustomed to?

I have a Miller hood and the window is a little smaller than that but it's the only hood I've ever owned so I guess I don't miss the larger window. However, in my first welding class I used an old non-auto hood and I hated having to flip the helmet when starting the arc.

 

[Shield Arc]

I tried one of those big lens welding hoods once. When I struck an arc all that light about scared me to death:shocked:! I thought Russia dropped the big one:laughing:! Never again, I'll stick to what I know.

 

[k0ua]

They all have a battery in them, even the "pure solar" versions, AFAIK. They need it to store some level of energy to keep the unit working when there isn't quite enough light (like when you aren't yet welding). Some make it easy to change those batteries, others not so easy as they are permanently installed and you would have to tear the unit apart and possibly do some soldering to replace it. The solar cells provide a boost and operating power when welding, but they can't stay on in dim light conditions without a battery, so the cell helps charge that too.

Well I think some solar powered welding helmets DO have a battery also, and I think some DON'T. The high capacity storage capacitor is very common now, with typical ratings of 5 volts and 1 Farad of capacity. Typically these are about the size of 2 nickels stacked on top of each other. These capacitors are commonly used as backup "battery's" in a lot of microprocessor controlled devices. They are not battery's they are capacitors in that they can stand being totally discharged for long periods and countless times without being damaged like a battery would be. My helmet is often stored in the dark for long periods, and it just takes a couple of minutes in the light to charge up and become operational. May be a fine point the difference a lithium battery and a High density storage capacitor, but they are a different thing.

James K0UA

 

[cowski]

i have an old jackson fiberglass helmet with a big lens.that has been my helmet for 30 years.i have made many welds in tight places by looking through the corners.i also use a jackson nexgen .i have a harbor freight for tack welding with the mig.the harbor freight only has one advantage over the nexgen,you do not have to turn it on.the nexgon is superior in every other way.i also have a helmet with a gold lens.i use all 4 helmets depending on what i am welding.they each have their advantages.if you wanted a auto helmet and could afford it i would recommend a nexgen.if i could only have one of my helmets it would be the old big window jackson.