Northern tool Welding helmet puked.

[hutchman]

I purchased my auto helmet ~2001,, and used it today,,, it STILL functions.

Probably, they expect the batteries to outlast the rest of the devise??
I might get a new one,, because I am tired of looking at the same flame design for so many years,,,

:laughing:

NA!!,, I will run it until it quits,,,, :thumbsup:

I'm not sure when they did it ... but some (china) mfr. switched to a design where they claim the batteries are good for 5 years or so and the batteries aren't intended to be replaceable. I guess in this throw away society it was a plan to get you to chuck it and buy another one. Planned obsolescence. Lot of that going around these days.

 

[k0ua]

I'm not sure when they did it ... but some (china) mfr. switched to a design where they claim the batteries are good for 5 years or so and the batteries aren't intended to be replaceable. I guess in this throw away society it was a plan to get you to chuck it and buy another one. Planned obsolescence. Lot of that going around these days.

I am seriously considering ordering the battery holder's just to thwart their plans.

 

[dickfoster]

Amazon.com: uxcell 5 PCS Black Shell 2 x 1.5V AAA Battery Holder Case Container Cell Box: Electronics

here are the battery holders at amazon. 5 of them. for 8 bucks.

Yeah one of those would work.

 

[k0ua]

Okay Dokey, it is repaired. The two coin cells were dead. I installed two of the above twin AAA holders (with switches) into the helmet. The supplied tail wires were soldered in place of the coin cells, and notches made into the sides of the module to pass thru the wires. Four little tacks with the hot soldering iron in the corners to hold the module shut. Then install the module back into the helmet body and hot glued the AAA holders into the helmet body after roughing up the plastic on both pieces. Here are pics. Total cost to repair about $7 and I still have 3 of the battery holders left over. So I could repair 1 1/2 more helmets!:laughing: Total time about 30 minutes.

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[yomax4]

Wish I had saw this sooner. A couple manufacturers that I once worked for and won't mention ( Arc One and Optrel ) suggest putting the hood under a Halogen Work light for 24 hrs. It re-jump starts the lithium. It's not a sun issue it's about Lithium and Halogen. How ever it is pretty easy to undo the old lithium cells and solder in new ones. Or better yet, Don't buy a solar hood. I have a couple of Speed Glass. One from the late 80's and a 9000X from10 years ago. I hate the cheap Fibre Metal 3C type head gear but The lenses with replaceable batteries, Although much heavier, last a Long Time. I also have a Nex-Gen Jackson that is 14 yrs old. Not as good optical quality but still works.

 

[yomax4]

Okay Dokey, it is repaired. The two coin cells were dead. I installed two of the above twin AAA holders (with switches) into the helmet. The supplied tail wires were soldered in place of the coin cells, and notches made into the sides of the module to pass thru the wires. Four little tacks with the hot soldering iron in the corners to hold the module shut. Then install the module back into the helmet body and hot glued the AAA holders into the helmet body after roughing up the plastic on both pieces. Here are pics. Total cost to repair about $7 and I still have 3 of the battery holders left over. So I could repair 1 1/2 more helmets!:laughing: Total time about 30 minutes.

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Wow.. Nice work !!

 

[k0ua]

Wow.. Nice work !!

Thanks. It was very easy to do. And now it uses AAA batteries you can buy anywhere, and replace them in seconds.

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks. It was very easy to do. And now it uses AAA batteries you can buy anywhere, and replace them in seconds.

If you replace the batteries with these
Energizer Ultimate Lithium | Best Batteries
you likely wouldn't have to change them very often.

 

[k0ua]

If you replace the batteries with these
Energizer Ultimate Lithium | Best Batteries
you likely wouldn't have to change them very often.

I like that 20 year shelf life:thumbsup: In this application with the solar assist, those would likely be a one and done proposition.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I bet you could connect the button battery holders together in parallel and feed them both with one battery pack. The unit draws very little power considering it had button cells and the AAA batts have much more capacity than the button cells. Less weight and less clutter in the helmet.