hobart hood helmet (flash burn)

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I have had a auto darkening Hobart Hood welding helmet for about 6 months now. I don't weld for a living, and would say I weld about 2 times per month. Helmet has been great, but lately, while tigging, the helmet on a couple of occasions has not darkened after striking my arc. This is between welds of a minute or so, so it is not supposed to shut off. Of course today, my eyes are kind of blurry, and have some flash burn. It pisses me off because the helmet was rather expensive - anybody have similar problems. Surely, the batteries are not going dead already? - I feel ignorant, but have not bothered to look at what sort of batteries these helmets use....and my helmet right now is about an hours drive away? Any thoughts?
Reply:Sometimes, when tigging, the arc isn't as bright as other processes, therfore, the sensitivity of the helmet is of great importance.My speedglass hoods, have an adjustment, and a special mode for tig welding, so that doesn't happen.Sorry to hear about the flashburn, but often the "off" mode is at least shade 3.   that should give you enough protection for momentary flashes, just dont weld continuously with it!We need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:I have a Hobart Solar hood, works great for fluxcore! It darkend if I hold it close to one of the new high output bulbs (equivalent to a 100w incandescent) Well all except the bottom right corner I just found a hairline crack across the corner ... time for a new insert or hood.My angle grinder is my best friend!
Reply:I have used several brands of helmets when playing with other peoples's welders (OPW).  I have only rarely had this non-darkening happen with even the cheapest helmet when stick or mig welding...but, tig is another story.  For some reason, none of the of the auto darken helmets work as accurately when I am tigging....I don't know if it's something I am doing or if the light from the arc is not hitting the sensor or what.  I suspect that even though the tig uv rays are more intense, they are more like a flash light, in that they direct the light...sometimes away from the helmet.  This is my current story, but I am willing to change it if someone has a better one.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:The problem as the others ares saying is its not your hood.  Well maybe.  There are some ultra high dollar top of the line in top of the line brands that have extra sensors this isnt as big a problem.  Tig is a brighter arc, but its soo concentrated the sensors have a very hard time catching it.  THerefore to the hood its like the tig arc is softer, or not as bright.  I usually weld with a traditional hood.  But most folks I work with that do both mig and tig, they mig with the auto dark, they tig with the traditional manual type hood.   Or, there are some that have features like Jim stated.  Some like the Miller top of the line has extra sensors that pick up.  I think they have them lower.  Ive heard of folkks though turning the lenz upside down.  This puts the sensors closer othe arc so it sees it better.  Might try this before giving up.  Sorry bout the eyes.  Does suck.  Potato slices do help.  And rest. Take careIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:I do not even use my auto helmet when tigging. I just use a simple shade one. I was having the same problem you guys have and sent it back and they replaced it. Got the new module back and had the same problem. I think TIG puts out different RFI's and I think this interfereres with the module. I think the arc is plenty bright. That is my guess that it is the frequency of the TIG interfering with the module. Just my guess.  T.J.