today is my first day learning how to stick weld, and my two helmets have been indoors in the dark for a few years. An 80 dollar autodarken one and a cheap small screen one as an extra. The latter may have been a waste of money because once I start welding, am pretty sure I'll treat myself to a better helmet, with the four sensors, etc. I wonder if my autodarken helmet will even work.
I guess I should put them outside in the sun this morning? I have spare coin batteries, but never knew about the solar issue, which
one of mine has. I am having a professional welder, a neighbor, come over later this morning to go over my equipment. Have an inverter combo unit bought from this site. I bought it, wife got sick, and it got put away for four years. A bit of delayed gratification but I'm sure the unit will work fine. Wish they provided a manual for it. Need to take my Chromebook to the barn to display the online manual.
Over the last few years I have been collecting a variety of welding tools, a bench, clamps, metal chop saw, all kinds of things to learn how to use today and finally make repairs with.
Have lots of safety equipment, blanket, 3 large pressurized water and ABC fire extinguishers, etc. Intentionally put fuel room at one end of the barn and dedicated welder 240V receptacle at other end.
I have a lot of grinding to do when done, the autogrind feature is on my list now.
Thanks to the OP for this thread, very useful info.