I hope I didn't get flashed!!!

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Hi gang,Today I was at Tractor Supply and they had two Smith and Wesson auto darkening helmets on clearance for half price ($155 to $72).  Wanting an "upgrade" for my Harbor Freight auto darking helmet I bought it.Get home, opened it up, read the directions and then tried it out.  Struck an arc and it didn't auto darken.  Thought that was strange and like an a**hole I did it again "just to be sure".Second time around I was convinced that it wasn't working properly.  Took it outside and held it up to the sun and moved it back and forth.  No good, no change.  Got out my Harbor Freight helmet and did the same thing.  Changed every time.First thing tomorrow the damn thing gets returned.  Maybe there was a reason it was on clearance.  My question to you all is, is two arcs enough to "flash" your eyes?  I'm a little nervous about this.  I'm hoping that the filter still was able to filter the IR and UV light out even though it did not darken.  I was also wearing UV rated safety glasses.  I'm sure hoping that protected me, if not I guess I'll be in for a miserable night.It is solar powered with two lithium batteries.  In removing the filter assembly from the helmet, it appears to be a sealed unit don't know how to access the batteries and the instructions don't explain how to change them.  There is no on/off switch either according to the instruction manual.I'm now wondering if the damn thing sat on the shelf so long that the batteries went dead and that's why they were on clearance to get rid of them.  Does this need to "Charge" first???  I would think not, since the solar should work when outside???There is a sku number inside the helmet and it looks like the model number is: 3016157 and the serial number is 024886005249 if any of that helps.Any info would be appreciated.Thank you all in advance.Tim
Reply:Tim,Most A/D's fail to a shade 5.  So you'll see a "bright light", but not to worry about being flashed.  I've had my Speedglas reset to the normal mode from darkened in the middle of a weld that I couldn't break, so I had to continue the weld for several minutes in the default shade 5.  Other than seeing spots for about 1/2 an hour, no ill effects.Sometimes, when they ship a new unit with the batteries in it, they put a little mylar strip on one end of the batteries, to keep them from discharging.  You need to find that battery compartment and see if this is the case, or if it even came with batteries.Also, if the unit has variable sensitivity, turn the sensitivity up.  Someone borrowed my helmet and turned the sensitivity down, and it wouldn't darken.  Was driving me nuts, changed out batteries, etc., until I noticed the sensitivity.Best regards, KbnitI r 2 a perfessional
Reply:If you got flashed, you would know it by now.   Leave the helmet out in the sun for a few hours and try again.  A flit spark lighter for your torch should change it.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thank you both.Breathing a little easier now.I'll look for the batteries and leave it out in the sun tomorrow for a few hours.Is this helmet OK or a POS?  I know opinions will vary like anything else.Anyone have one or know about it?Thanks,Tim
Reply:Originally Posted by David RIf you got flashed, you would know it by now.   Leave the helmet out in the sun for a few hours and try again.  A flit spark lighter for your torch should change it.David
Reply:You also need to make sure nothing is blocking the sensor's. If it cant see the light it wont darken. try moving you hood around while welding to be sure nothing is casting shade over the sensor.
Reply:Regardless of what the clear shade is, that's just for visible light.  They are still full-UV rated at all times, clear or dark.  You didn't get flashed.  And the UV protection of clear safety glasses (GOOD FOR YOU!!!) is also very good.  Don't give it a second thought.
Reply:i dont get flashed, i use a fixed shade.personally auto darkening helmets blow, and yes ive used all the good ones, miller elites, speedglass, jacksons, they all suck.  They are good for welding roll cages and underneath a car.its funny, the "best welder" in our shop forgot his hood at home and had to use mine for something.  He could barely get an arc struck without his auto darkening hood.  dont rely on the crutch of an auto darkening hood.Rant on all you want, its just my 2 centsand as others have said you would know if you got burned.  Im not even sure how it happens to people.  I worked for 3 months just holding stuff for a guy who was tacking, who failed to warn me when he was ready to go.  I caught flimpses of the flash multiple times all day.  IVE NEVER HAD IT.  safety glasses will protect you from many things, wear them.
Reply:I've got fixed shades, I've got A/D's, each has their place....Just my .02Regards, KbnitI r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Originally Posted by kbnitI've got fixed shades, I've got A/D's, each has their place....Just my .02Regards, Kbnit
Reply:Thank you all for replying.I put the helmet out in the sun for a few hours and it worked fine tonight.I did not get flashed, thankfully.I appreciate everyone's input.Thanks,Tim
Reply:some of t he ad helmets have inaccessible bateries which  get charged by light. a new one as you say needs to get some light on it. i have noproblem with using a fixed shade..the best thing i find about ad is you can use a grinder without having to put on a face screen or glasses. i also notice whern tigging someetimes my gloves block the light and the ad goes to shade 5.
Reply:Aren't those smith and wesson helmets made by jackson?
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneAren't those smith and wesson helmets made by jackson?
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneAren't those smith and wesson helmets made by jackson?
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloI believe so. I know my Snap On helmet was made by Jackson. It is the best hood I have used yet; I really like it.Back to getting flashed...let's all hope my dog didn't get him some yesterday. He came into the garage, and I was blasting away on a big aluminum project. Bad part is, I have no idea how long he was there, and if he was watching or not. I stopped to cool the torch and my glove, and there he was, happy as all to be next to me. I thought " Love is blind, and you may be too, dummy." He seems okay, but how would I even be able to tell if he did himself in???
Reply:Originally Posted by Tim MAwe. That would really suck.  Hope your dog is OK.  Did he have any ill effects that night?
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloI believe so. I know my Snap On helmet was made by Jackson. It is the best hood I have used yet; I really like it.Back to getting flashed...let's all hope my dog didn't get him some yesterday. He came into the garage, and I was blasting away on a big aluminum project. Bad part is, I have no idea how long he was there, and if he was watching or not. I stopped to cool the torch and my glove, and there he was, happy as all to be next to me. I thought " Love is blind, and you may be too, dummy." He seems okay, but how would I even be able to tell if he did himself in???
Reply:So was it worth the 72.00 bux to Upgrade??Better head gear, lighter, clearer viewing etc??Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Red,Dogs are smarter than humans.  They don't stare at the pretty blue light.  You would know if the dog got flashed, Mrs. kbnit says he would be pawing at his eyes all night and whining.  She's a vet, so I believe her.Regards, KbnitI r 2 a perfessional
Reply:- Originally Posted by Broccoli1So was it worth the 72.00 bx to Upgrade??Better head gear, lighter, clearer viewing etc??
Reply:Originally Posted by kbnitRed,Dogs are smarter than humans.  They don't stare at the pretty blue light.  You would know if the dog got flashed, Mrs. kbnit says he would be pawing at his eyes all night and whining.  She's a vet, so I believe her.Regards, Kbnit
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerIf he gets enough of it enough times he will develop cataracts. I had a German Shepard that developed them. It took a while but the vet finally decided he must have gotten them from watching us weld as he was a young dog when this happened. Fortunately he was able to remove them with no ill effects to the pooch. It took a lot of cussing and yelling to convince my former business partner and the yard drunk not to turn the dog loose when I was welding. Finally wound up threatening to make them watch unprotected. Pard burned his eyes once and that was all the convincing he needed.