autodarkening welding helmet does not

[HoosierBuddy]

So,

This is one of those Chi-com Yeswelder Amazon $80 welding helmets. It's been in service for less than a year in my shop and has been used maybe 60 hours.

A few weeks ago, it quit darkening (at all) so I sat it outside in the sun figuring, "solar powered" maybe it needs a recharge. That fixed it for a while.

Over the holidays, I was teaching my kid to MIG weld, with him wearing it while welding some 16 gauge tubing into a 64-inch wide, 6 feet tall, free standing shelf set for his home office. Well, I had to fix something for him so I grabbed the helmet and put it on and IT'S NOT WORKING.

How long had it not been working? No way to know. The kid didn't know enough to tell me "The lens is not getting dark anymore."

Luckily I didn't blind my kid. Ever since the "soap poisoning incent of '04", he's been a little skittish of me all ready. So, you know, phew...dodged a bullet there.

So...now I:

1. Don't quite trust the helmet, although it might be good enough for some usage and it is less than a year old.
2. Don't know how to even get it working again. I checked the rechargable lithium watch battery in it. It's rated at 3V and I measure 2.98 volts....so not sure charging it even matters.

Found online something about the sensors could be blocked...but I'm not sure what to even look for.

What do you think guys...anything to try here or toss it?

If "toss it"...maybe it's time to bite the bullet and get a for-real helmet. Anyone got a preference? I really prefer an autodarkening one, as I'm not the greatest welder, and I need all the help I can get.

THANKS FOR ANY WISDOM!

Phil

 

[Bogie1632]

IMHO, the real question is how much do you value your eyesight? Sound s lik its time for a new, quality helmet. A cheap Lincoln would cost about the same as what you spent for a cheapo china model or a much nicer model for about double.

At least the lens tint offered a bit of protection. Bet your kid was still seeing spots though.

V/R
Bogie

 

[Kenstone1]

Most likely that helmet has a dead battery
commonly a #2032
Change it
fixed

Edit: or buy a new lens assembly:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Types-Au...886992?hash=item4b7ce45910:g:0a4AAOSwyele~n9u

-or-
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...elding+helmet&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15

 

[SeisMec]

One of the first hits when searching for 2032 battery new voltage yields a flashlight forum thread with -

Take a look at the Energizer CR2032 product data sheet. (150kb download) Notice the pulse characteristics chart, they use 100Ω load to test the cell for 2 seconds. The depleted 2032 cells that I've tested will measure 3V open circuit, but drop drastically when loaded with a 100Ω resistor. You can't really check the state of charge of these cells using open circuit voltage, you nxeed to load them.

You can make a short jumper with alligator clips at each end and a 100Ω resistor in the middle. If you take one alligator clip from this load jumper and clip it to the positive probe of your multimeter and the other alligator clip to the negative probe you can test the voltage of a 2032 cell under load.

 

[MoonRise]

If the battery is replaceable, replace it.

Batteries don't last forever, even rechargeable ones.

Or just skip all the diagnose-repair attempts and get a name-brand helmet.

The recent name-brand auto-darkening helmets are MUCH better than older technology ones.

No green tint. Clear view from edge-to-edge with minimal distortion.

I currently have a Lincoln Viking 3350.

Pretty nice helmet (but not perfect, have to take it off to adjust settings as the settings are inside the helmet right underneath the viewing window.) Good clear view, nice big viewing window, headgear is pretty nice (for my head, YMMV ), multiple arc sensors to minimize getting flashed while welding.

It replaced several older HF ones that worked OK for a while and then didn't.

So far, all I've had to do was replace the replaceable coin cell (yes the helmet has a solar recharge built in, but the cell still does need replacement after a while).

 

[anndel]

I was in the same boat, but went with an Antra and Lincoln.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

OK...More diagnostics before ordering up a new battery.

As the sun is hiding today, I put the unit next to an incandescent work light for a couple of hours then removed the battery.

It now checks 3.02 Volts with no load.

I put a 100 ohm resistor in series with the battery like so..

+ Test Lead > + Battery - > 100 Ohm R > - Test Lead

It check 2.90 Volts.

If instead, I short across the battery with the 100 Ohm Resistor and check the + to - on the battery while it's feeding the resistor....it shows 2.74 Volts.

Finally, after disassembling the autodarkening module from the welding helmet I note it has tiny button labeled "TEST", next to that is a tiny LED that says "LOW BAT".

When I install the battery and press the test button, nothing happens. The LED does not light. The filter doesn't darken. Nothing.

My take on it is the problem is NOT the battery. Anyone want to talk me down before I put in the order for a new helmet and change my Amazon review of this helmet from 5 to 1 stars?

Phil

p.s. I checked and I ordered it exactly one year ago yesterday and it has a 1 year warranty. I've emailed yeswelder to see if they will honor it under warranty as I didn't actually receive the unit until the first week of January 2020.

 

[matt_i]

There was a student in our plant assigned as a project to design + build a storage rack system, doing all of the work himself. His welds looked really terrible and so I set out to try to coach him. He was telling me, I can't really look at it for more than a second....and so I get the helmet he was using and of course its not going dark.... so once that was resolved he did much better.

Getting any China based company, selling thru Amazon, to answer their email is something almost as rare as winning the lottery. Not sure if its inability or unwillingness but the end result is the same.

I think you're on the right track to do some troubleshooting.

Some people in my work turn the sensitivity way down for stick welding and then I'm getting flashed doing work with a tig torch. Also there are variable opinions on where the brightness setting should be placed. Not saying my preferences are more-correct but the input above the threshhold to the darkening cell is just as important as the output.

 

[Zmann]

My 200$ Arc One "quality" auto helmet is less dependable than my 12 yo harbor freight unit
and I only replaced the Harbor freight unit because I was nervous it was bad for my eyes
after a bit of reading the HF units apparently pretty decent

 

[DeeKay]

A fresh battery is like 2 bucks, I'd just try it.
I'd also spring for a decent hood, I ran a cheap Jackson hood with an auto-darkening retrofit lense for a long time and then switched over to a Miller Digital Elite, can't beat it.
If the battery fixes the problem, now you have a backup hood for your kid and a good one for yourself. If it doesn't fix it, now you have a spare battery for your new hood.

 

[ssdave]

....



Call the manufacturer for their tech support. Will be a great opportunity to try out their customer support, and post a review here, along with the brand name. The inexpensive helmets get great reviews here, will give the manufacturer a chance to showcase how they deal with problems and get a bunch of great press.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, the CHICAGO ELECTRIC, or is it PITTSBURGH?, has been a good deal for me since I bought mine over 10 years ago.

 

[M635_Guy]

I'm finding it hard to believe your first act wasn't replacing the battery. I mean, if you want an excuse to buy a better/nice/whatever one, I get it, but...

 

[mepstein]

high-quality auto-darkening helmets provide UV and IR protection even when the helmet is not activated, you are always protected.

 

[metaldad]

could it possibly be that the electronics be kaput?
buy a new quality helmet.
your kids eyes and your eyes are worth it

 

[zendriver]

Nothing wrong with inexpensive products - provided they work.

When they no longer do, get something else.

It worked fine and then it didn't. If a battery (if it has one) is not the perfect fix, why bother with anything else, especially with something that is safety critical?

As much as we like to believe otherwise, stuff generally does not last forever.

 

[KenC]

high-quality auto-darkening helmets provide UV and IR protection even when the helmet is not activated, you are always protected.

True, and often overlooked. I don't know of any helmet that does not do that. Even normal safety glasses do it, as it is a characteristic of the material. The flash slow acting lenses does not actually damage the eye, beyond temporary symptoms, just like looking at a bright light.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have 2 cheapo helmets (second was in a bag of other stuff that was too good of a deal to pass up . chipping hammer, welding gloves, wire brushes and I forget what else.)
anyway, they both state in the instructions that the batteries are non replaceable.I believe they are solar too , I will be sure to see if that's actual fact if/when they no longer work .

so, should the helmets be taken out of their bags occasionally and be put in the sun to chagre them up?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Thanks for the replies guys!

As to the “Why haven’t you changed the battery?” Crowd...as a general principal; I’m not one of those guys that just throws parts at something in the hope that maybe some part will help....especially given the battery seems to test OK....but I have ordered one. You are correct it’s less than $3. Of course Amazon is going to take a few days to get it here.

To the “nothing lasts forever” crowd. Bullcrap! I’ve got many tools that are 50, 60, 70 years old. I’ve got an old mustang that’s 55 years old. I’ve got firearms that are 80 years old and have been used in 2 or 3 wars....and all of this stuff works as new. A welding helmet that has 60 HOURS of use and is one year old should still function flawlessly.

On YesWelder’s customer service, I did get an automated response with a case number. No word since though.

So...right now I don’t have a working helmet. If I can’t get this one working I still don’t know if I should spend $300 on the nice Lincoln one or get another cheapie. If the Lincoln would really last a lifetime it’d be worth it. I think it only has a 3 year warranty though...so maybe this technology just isn’t up to my expectations yet.

 

[Jland]

Im with the harbor freight crowd on this... with a coupon i paid right at 25.00.. had it 2 years no issues. That being said I done use it 6 hours a day either..

 

[bob15]

Thanks for the replies guys!

As to the “Why haven’t you changed the battery?” Crowd...as a general principal; I’m not one of those guys that just throws parts at something in the hope that maybe some part will help....especially given the battery seems to test OK....but I have ordered one. You are correct it’s less than $3. Of course Amazon is going to take a few days to get it here.

To the “nothing lasts forever” crowd. Bullcrap! I’ve got many tools that are 50, 60, 70 years old. I’ve got an old mustang that’s 55 years old. I’ve got firearms that are 80 years old and have been used in 2 or 3 wars....and all of this stuff works as new. A welding helmet that has 60 HOURS of use and is one year old should still function flawlessly.

On YesWelder’s customer service, I did get an automated response with a case number. No word since though.

So...right now I don’t have a working helmet. If I can’t get this one working I still don’t know if I should spend $300 on the nice Lincoln one or get another cheapie. If the Lincoln would really last a lifetime it’d be worth it. I think it only has a 3 year warranty though...so maybe this technology just isn’t up to my expectations yet.

You could have gone to the drug store bought a battery and tried it out in the amount of time you probably spent testing it and writing about it on this site.

Your old tools....and just how many are electronic? Comparing a steel tool to a piece of electronics isn't a fair comparison. Your 55 year old car should have it's wiring replaced sooner than later as the insulation is getting brittle.

Buy extremely cheap electronics and your rolling the dice. Buy another cheapie one and when it fails during the middle of a project, then what? Ruin your eyes welding with no protection or you have to pack it all in until your 3rd replacement helmet comes?

Here is nice helmet, Speedglas 9100xx, made in Sweden. Bought one back in the summer to replace a worn out 20 year helmet. Worth the money. I also bought the magnifiers for inside the helmet....no more cheaters

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-Speedglas-Welding-Helmet-9100XX-Extra-Large-Size-Auto-Darkening-Filter/193358040650?hash=item2d05098e4a:g:JVMAAOSw9KBeVMKi

 

[NUTTSGT]

To the “nothing lasts forever” crowd. Bullcrap! I’ve got many tools that are 50, 60, 70 years old. I’ve got an old mustang that’s 55 years old. I’ve got firearms that are 80 years old and have been used in 2 or 3 wars....and all of this stuff works as new. A welding helmet that has 60 HOURS of use and is one year old should still function flawlessly.
.

Comparing a forged combination wrench or a Colt 1911 from the 1940's to a welding helmet with electronics and a power source is not an apple to apple comparison.


I have a Miller helmet, I like being able to go down to an #8 in shade and having the feature for grinding without it trying to darken.

 

[zendriver]

To the “nothing lasts forever” crowd. Bullcrap! I’ve got many tools that are 50, 60, 70 years old. I’ve got an old mustang that’s 55 years old. I’ve got firearms that are 80 years old and have been used in 2 or 3 wars....and all of this stuff works as new. A welding helmet that has 60 HOURS of use and is one year old should still function flawlessly.

On YesWelder’s customer service, I did get an automated response with a case number. No word since though.

So...right now I don’t have a working helmet. If I can’t get this one working I still don’t know if I should spend $300 on the nice Lincoln one or get another cheapie. If the Lincoln would really last a lifetime it’d be worth it. I think it only has a 3 year warranty though...so maybe this technology just isn’t up to my expectations yet.

Just my two, but I would not put an auto-darkening welding helmet in the same category as a claw hammer.

The welding helmet does not work. Sometime electronic circuits fail prematurely.

You don't have a welding helmet. Maybe get another inexpensive one? The expensive welding helmets fail sometimes too.

 

[DeeKay]

Thanks for the replies guys!

As to the “Why haven’t you changed the battery?” Crowd...as a general principal; I’m not one of those guys that just throws parts at something in the hope that maybe some part will help....especially given the battery seems to test OK....but I have ordered one. You are correct it’s less than $3. Of course Amazon is going to take a few days to get it here.

As someone who enjoys the troubleshooting process I totally get it...it's my job after all. It drives me nuts when I go to a plant and the techs have thrown 1000s of dollars worth of parts at a problem without taking the time to check the simple stuff.
It's obviously situational But sometimes it makes more sense from a time and money perspective to just throw a part at the problem.

 

[Jland]

I get the "cheap Chinese electronics" thing... but arent the chinese making pretty much all the components for our military stuff too?? Seems to me I read an article that said a lot of the electronics in our fighter jets is chinese

 

[zendriver]

I get the "cheap Chinese electronics" thing... but arent the chinese making pretty much all the components for our military stuff too?? Seems to me I read an article that said a lot of the electronics in our fighter jets is chinese

Everything used in the US Military, must meet our MIL-SPEC standards, including rigorous quality control (supposedly).

A cheap welding helmet, they probably just use the least costly components, they can acquire, with minimal quality standards.

Many complaints about China made CB radios and poor solder joints. It's not that they can't make good ones, it's just nobody but the paying customer cares if they do.

 

[M-Petrik]

You could have gone to the drug store bought a battery and tried it out in the amount of time you probably spent testing it and writing about it on this site.



Your old tools....and just how many are electronic? Comparing a steel tool to a piece of electronics isn't a fair comparison. Your 55 year old car should have it's wiring replaced sooner than later as the insulation is getting brittle.



Buy extremely cheap electronics and your rolling the dice. Buy another cheapie one and when it fails during the middle of a project, then what? Ruin your eyes welding with no protection or you have to pack it all in until your 3rd replacement helmet comes?



Here is nice helmet, Speedglas 9100xx, made in Sweden. Bought one back in the summer to replace a worn out 20 year helmet. Worth the money. I also bought the magnifiers for inside the helmet....no more cheaters



https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-Speedgl...040650?hash=item2d05098e4a:g:JVMAAOSw9KBeVMKi

I highly recommend the Speedglass as well. I have the same one, worth every cent, especially when you consider you only get 1 set of eyes!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Brief update on this.

As I had no working helmet and I'm in the middle of a project AND harbor freight sent me a 25% off one item for 3 days only coupon, I drove 20 miles to their nearest store and bought the "Vulcan" helmet for $115 ($150 regular price)....as that got me welding the fastest. Seems like a decent enough helmet. Works out of the box. Only includes a 90 day warranty, but that can be extended to 3 years by paying another $41.

Then...today I got an email from YesWelder's customer support.

They apologized for my issues, corrected a misinterpretation of what "solar" means AND indicated they would ship me a new helmet which they expect to get to me in the next week or two.

Then, I told my wife about this and she said, "So now you have 2 welding helmets?"....in this real harsh tone....like "WHY WOULD YOU EVER NEED MORE THAN ONE?" I had no good answer to that.

Anyway...if I understand the email correctly....the YesWelder solar helmets are powered by solar all the time with a battery backup. The solar cells apparently do not recharge the lithium battery. I'm just throwing that out there in case anyone else misunderstood this. When you strike an arc, the solar cells should put out enough power to run the helmet. The battery would be there to provide power in cases where it doesn't.

Phil

 

[Kenstone1]

Then...today I got an email from YesWelder's customer support.

They apologized for my issues, corrected a misinterpretation of what "solar" means AND indicated they would ship me a new helmet which they expect to get to me in the next week or two.

Then, I told my wife about this and she said, "So now you have 2 welding helmets?"....in this real harsh tone....like "WHY WOULD YOU EVER NEED MORE THAN ONE?" I had no good answer to that.

Anyway...if I understand the email correctly....the YesWelder solar helmets are powered by solar all the time with a battery backup. The solar cells apparently do not recharge the lithium battery. I'm just throwing that out there in case anyone else misunderstood this. When you strike an arc, the solar cells should put out enough power to run the helmet. The battery would be there to provide power in cases where it doesn't.

Phil

Thanks for posting, I've been following this thread as I'm using a cheap ebay helmet that has been working great...so far.

That info about the battery in that YesWelder helmet is news to me so I looked that helmet on Amazon to check it out/read the reviews/etc.
I wish amazon would include manuals in their equipment listings but don't.

One thing that struck me as odd was it came with a "backup" battery .
I'm not sure what that implies in light of what YesWelder told you about how the helmet operates via solar, which is often the welding arc.

I also noticed a storage bag was included, that implies to me the helmet should be kept "in the dark" when not being used ?

I don't have a storage bag for my helmet, and now wonder if having one would extend the life of it's solar cell?
OR...using the (dark) storage bag would toggle the electronics to battery mod and kill the battery ?
Probably over thinking this but I want my helmet to work when I need it.
just askin'

Edit: Tell your wife that extra helmet is for her

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Probably over thinking this but I want my helmet to work when I need it.
just askin'

Edit: Tell your wife that extra helmet is for her

Per "Sherry" at YesWelder:

"And the helmet's solar panels are used to assist lithium batteries in generating electricity, while it can not be charged directly from the sun."


AND thanks for the advice on how to keep my wife happy. Not normally something I struggle with, but the new helmet does come on the tail end of several end-of-year purchases that have raised her eyebrows.

Phil

 

[Kenstone1]

Per "Sherry" at YesWelder:

"And the helmet's solar panels are used to assist lithium batteries in generating electricity, while it can not be charged directly from the sun."


AND thanks for the advice on how to keep my wife happy. Not normally something I struggle with, but the new helmet does come on the tail end of several end-of-year purchases that have raised her eyebrows.

Phil

Thanks for reading/responding to my post
You getting a replacement from YesWelder has moved them up to the top as to where to buy my next helmet if my cheap ebay helmet quits anytime soon.

I've been reading the reviews of this helmet and all other YesWelder models.
One guy complained about slow darkening that didn't change with any adjusting, and found there was no battery installed in it.
He installed a fresh battery and solved that problem.

Most negative reviews are about the weak headgear failing though.

I have welding to do but it's raining in my outdoor shop

 

[Monza Harry]

but the new helmet does come on the tail end of end-of-year purchases that have raised her eyebrows. [/B]
Phil

She may be distracted with shiney "precious metals" added efficiency is attained with the addition of rare shiney stones!
I agree with the above posters that a battery from the dollar store or Wally World for a couple of dollars is not going to go to waste, common battery many Christmas decorations, and mini-electronic devices. My Lincoln uses a 2450 battery not as common but still not as expensive (less than$3 ea.) as shipping on your replacement. You could also just buy a proper battery tester this will parallel the volt meter to the load for proper testing of batteries. Open voltage on a 3V button cell in proper state of charge would likely be 3.5V so your test without load at 2.9xV isn't a good sign. The load test that you carried out correctly at 2.7xV is showing a dead battery. A back up hat is a good thing, you will have would be students and spectators at some point and time. Harry
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Optima...ttery-Tester-Watch-Repair-Kit/PRD2KFVM46SH91M
I have the Radio Shack version of this tester. Sorry my phone is winning the fight for Canadian results (wouldn't let me get to the US site, so your price will be lower by about 50%

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Just go with the nuclear option, buy a third helmet, and between the Speedglass 9100XX, the Esab A50, or the Miller Digital Elite.

 

[rogersmithiii]

high-quality auto-darkening helmets provide UV and IR protection even when the helmet is not activated, you are always protected.

What is high quality? What should I be looking at? Tired of my old, fixed helmet.

 

[bob15]

What is high quality? What should I be looking at? Tired of my old, fixed helmet.

Look at the Speedglas 9100xx. I bought mine NIB on ebay for half of what list was.

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1508376O/3m-speedglas-welding-filter-9100v-9100x-9100xx-9100xxi-technical-specifications.pdf

 

[rogersmithiii]

Think I'm going to go with a $99 Hobart from Tractor. It has excellent reviews.

 

[justjohn]

Was this resolved?

Take a look at the panoramic helmets. Best thing I ever did.

 

[redmondjp]

I remove the batteries from my auto-darkening helmet when not in use, since it will be months/years potentially between uses. That will help keep the batteries from going dead as quickly.

 

[The Cobbler]

not all batteries are replaceable/removable . at least easily

 

[Mr_B]

the yeswelder products are just slightly different helmet design but exactly same lens units as 20 to 30 buck china tat .
I seen the large lens ones and product number on lens assembly same as the 30-40 buck ones .
6 to 18 months you got junk and you also find reaction time can be **** on the too and make your eyes itchy/tired/achy .
I still use a tinted glass helmet quite a bit, old italian one, slender design, always works and new lens is 1buck.
Auto darkening best purchased as a brand and not mail order as warranty wants be easily usable .