I think my helmet pooped the bed...

admin

so two weeks ago I started welding school at the local community college.. I'm 31, so going BACK to school wasn't fun, but since it's just welding, I'm enjoying it.. Two years (or so) ago, my father bought a mig welder, (lincoln) and an auto dark helmet, worked great! self tough mig welding, and figured I'd try to get a career out of it. So that brings me here, today while in class, the auto dark went BLACK! I'm talking even while I'm welding I can barely see anything! lol! I was welding blind today.. anyway, do you think the solar panel pooped the bed? or am I an idiot? I did use another class mates helmet for a bead and it was much better, so I'm inclined to think it's done.  yes I adjusted the sensitivity of the lens. (non battery powered also)www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:What brand of helmet was it?Drink a Guinness Draught....Millermatic 140Do you still rememberDecember's foggy freeze --when the ice thatclings on to your beard isscreaming agony.
Reply:That is a very good question.. I don't know.. my dad bought it, and i used it.. lol! it's two years old so I got a lot of use out of it.but I'm unsure of the brand.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:Possibilities include (not an exhaustive list) shot battery/capacitor/solar cell, bad darkness control, bad sensor, bad electronics. Sounds like it may be teats-up if it is a solar, but leaving it in a bright light for a day may resurrect it  if the battery (the solar cells charge a small internal battery or capacitor),though the light from welding would have likely done the job if  lack of charge is the problem.I tell the guys at work that use autos to keep a fixed shade handy for this contingency, especially when they go on the road. Of the few that use autodarks (rough industry... they are considered to be effete...), at leadt one has a fixed shade lens and cover that replaces the auto cartridge, the others carry an extra hood.
Reply:If it has removeable batteries, change them out with new ones.   Also, put a fresh cover lens on it.  Maybe something is blocking a sensor.I always carry a fixed shade hood on the truck for those times when the battery in the auto hood goes dead, I grab the fixed hood and keep working.  Happened the other day in fact.I had a crazy thing go on with one of my auto hoods the other day too.  Never happened before.  Put new batteries in my hood that went dead the other day, went to use it and it was operating backwards.  It would go dark when not welding and go light when welding!  Definately a first for that for me!  I took the batt's out, thought maybe I put them in backwards, which I didn't, put them back in and it worked fine.  Wierd.  That was on my oldest EQC that I've been using just about every day for the last 5 years with not one problem ever, untill now!   Hope it doesn't keep acting up.  If it does, well, I certainly got my use out of it!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Nope, no batteries... just straight solar.. I left it in the sun for a few hours, and it didn't do anything,.. I'll just go pick up a new one then.. I appreciate the answers and the help.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:i got one for sale see the for sale section on the forumWeldandpower 225Heliarc Rig for itTorchesect ect ectLifes Short WELD NAKEDLooking for a SA200