Why am I getting Flashed?

[spv]

Over the weekend I spent some time TIG welding an exhaust I am building. I was sitting at a bench with florescent ceiling lights behind me. For some reason sometimes when I created the arc I would get flashed (the helmet would not auto-darken until way too late momentarily blinding me). This did not happen all the time, but quite a few times. Enough for me to blow a hole through a couple of times when flashed. Any ideas if the fluorescent lights behind me (sometimes I see their reflection in my lens) are to blame? They are not overhead, they are literally back behind me on the ceiling.

I am almost at the point of putting a hood over the back of my helmet to see if that fixes it. I have changed the settings on the helmet and it made no difference at all.

 

[raddksn]

I have had times when the tig torch is at an angle that it blockes the helmet from seeing the ark itself and the lens goes from dark to light.

 

[t100]

what kind of helmet you've got?

try use a shop light instead of the florescent, just to see if it makes any difference.

 

[nismomans13]

Over the weekend I spent some time TIG welding an exhaust I am building. I was sitting at a bench with florescent ceiling lights behind me. For some reason sometimes when I created the arc I would get flashed (the helmet would not auto-darken until way too late momentarily blinding me). This did not happen all the time, but quite a few times. Enough for me to blow a hole through a couple of times when flashed. Any ideas if the fluorescent lights behind me (sometimes I see their reflection in my lens) are to blame? They are not overhead, they are literally back behind me on the ceiling.

I am almost at the point of putting a hood over the back of my helmet to see if that fixes it. I have changed the settings on the helmet and it made no difference at all.

Florescent lights won't auto darken a helmet, but incandescent will. Depending on your helmet it can be a couple things. Some auto helmets rely on a battery to actually auto darken, and use the uv light from the welding to charge that battery, the battery could simply be dead. Thats what happened with my old miller when i was getting flashed left and right.

Second, unless its a high end hood like a higher grade speedglas, miller elite, or lincoln you probably only have 2 sensors. Its amazingly easy for those sensors to get blocked and flash you. Try checking your sensitivity on the hood if you have it. If you have the sens turned way down and the battery is starting to go then you will surely get flashed a lot, but low sensitivity can bet the sole culprit.

But let me know what kind of hood it is and i can better help you. If its a cheapy harbor freight hood, you answered your own question.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like your scenario, flourescent behind you and seeing a reflection, I've had that happen to me before to. I just try to reposition so I don't get the "behind me light reflection".


What causes it

 

[PCO6]

Florescent lights won't auto darken a helmet, but incandescent will.

I was surprised that the infra red light from a TV remote will also trigger an auto dark helmet. I had my helmet on a hook next to the TV over my work bench and I could see it darkening every time I used my remote. I have no idea if this was causing any harm but I relocated my helmet just in case.

Also, I sold an auto darkening helmet at an auto flea market last year. I had a butane lighter with me to show that it worked and it came in handy.

 

[lametec]

Florescent lights won't auto darken a helmet

Mine do, and I'm pretty sure there's nothing special about them. It depends on the helmet, I bet. Mine's a HF "Blue Flame".

 

[steel 35]

I have had the same problem with several auto hoods and won't use them anymore with a tig; but I use my byfocals now after seeing the flash a few too many times....

 

[mjb]

Second, unless its a high end hood like a higher grade speedglas, miller elite, or lincoln you probably only have 2 sensors. Its amazingly easy for those sensors to get blocked and flash you.

I agree.

I ran into this at low amps and welding out of position. I bought a hood with four sensors and it went away.

Good luck.

 

[geologist]

I'm a cheap ***... I still have to do the head-bob.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I'm a cheap ***... I still have to do the head-bob.

I prefer the head bob, I just can't get used to the auto darken. I have both styles

 

[BillK]

I am with the Head Bob group also. Just dont trust the auto darks. When I put my helmet down, I know I am protected

 

[BWS]

Head flipper here as well.........

To the point,years ago a welding bud felt sorry for me or some chit?Anyway he gives me one of the high $$$ auto helmets....I tryed it a time or two and just didn't see where it had much advantage?IOW's,was still flippin it up to set fixtures and alignments,then flip it down to weld.I reckon for certain small adjustments(to fixture/part)they make sense?

Got a cpl Jacksons with different strength lenses...just grab and go.

 

[PCO6]

Nothing wrong with head bobbing, flipping, etc. Some times though you get into things that are so tight that you have to go "way back" to the hand held. I have come full circle. I even have a "hand held auto darkening helmet".

 

[Ditchdigger]

Most of the less expensive autodarkening helmets tend to say "Not suitable for TIG welding" somewhere on the box or in the instructions.

http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...hade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-46092.html

Says not for TIG.

and

http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...sign-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-91214.html

says TIG over 10 amps only.

 

[welder4956]

^^I think I just got flashed looking at PC06's avatar!

 

[jhn9840]

I am an old school head flipper. Still got and use the Jackson I bought in welding school back in 1978.

jhn9840
John

 

[spv]

The helmet is a Cigweld Weldskill variety. It is the solar powered type with two optical sensors. I have decided to pull the trigger and purchase a 4 sensor type in the Miller Digital Elite. It was a tough decision between the Miller and the Speedglas. I found that people on forums (anecdotal) were reporting less flashes with the Miller than the Speedglas. The 4 sensors and the low amp TIG features were pretty big selling points for me.

Even though I have grabbed a new helmet I am actually still expecting the Miller to flash me from time to time. I think it has something to do with the fluorescent lights. I am going to give welding with the lights off a try with my current helmet. Additionally I will put a hood over the back of the helmet to see if that stops it.

As for the comment from nismomans13; I always check my helmet by quickly tilting up towards the fluro lights and it darkens without fail. I read that technique on this forum for testing an auto-darkening helmet before use.

 

[BD1]

^^I think I just got flashed looking at PC06's avatar!

Oh ! What was the question ?

 

[PCO6]

Oh ! What was the question ?

^^I think I just got flashed looking at PC06's avatar!

You guys are right. It's tough to weld around here given the circumstances.

Kidding aside I must admit that even with an AD helmet my eyes are closed until I smell the bacon.

 

[dragginbalz]

If you purchased a digital Elite, it comes with X mode which senses the electromagnetic field when you hit the foot control to change instead of the sensors. Between the 4 sensors and X mode, there is no reason to get flashed with that hood!
Good choice! (Although I love my Speedglas 9100X )

 

[spv]

If you purchased a digital Elite, it comes with X mode which senses the electromagnetic field when you hit the foot control to change instead of the sensors. Between the 4 sensors and X mode, there is no reason to get flashed with that hood!
Good choice! (Although I love my Speedglas 9100X )

Yeah, it was a tough decision to not go with the Speedglas. Seems like a really nice helmet. If I was running a MIG I would go with the Speedglas and the filter/air system. It looks awesome! The X mode was one part that got me across the line with the Miller Digital Elite.

At the moment I am using a switch on my torch and no pedal. I have the up-ramp set nicely on my Kemppi Mastertig 2300 MLS. When I can "see" things go great. When I am blinded they tend to go astray. I guess with a pedal I could back it off. I have one on the way, but who knows when it will turn up. I have been waiting over 2 weeks for it to ship from the UK.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Make sure your lens has no scratches on it and that it fits well all along the perimeter. You just need an ever so small opening for the bright light to flash you, specially if you have Blue eyes.
I'm an old school head flipper myself. Even though I switched to an electronic helmet about 4 years ago, I still find myself head bobbing from time to time. Sometimes with the auto darkening helmet down already.
Old habits are hard to break, but I would never go back.

 

[1967marti]

the miller digital elites have a feature where they go off after getting triggered by the EMP pulse. This is great if you are welding a corner and your mask's sensors arn't in direct view of the arc. Also make sure your helmet is rated for what amp you are starting your weld with... I wouldn't get/use a mask without it being around 5 amps...

 

[crewchief888]

I still find myself head bobbing from time to time. Sometimes with the auto darkening helmet down already.
Old habits are hard to break, but I would never go back.

i've had an AD hood for 12 years,
i catch myself head bobbing once in a while

i still break out my jackson BIG J once in a while for old times sake....


but that thing is friggen heavy compared to my other hoods..

 

[spv]

Make sure your lens has no scratches on it and that it fits well all along the perimeter. You just need an ever so small opening for the bright light to flash you, specially if you have Blue eyes.

It could definitely do with a wipe. I have blue eyes, so I guess that does not help. . I will be giving it a clean and turning off the lights on the weekend to see if it makes a material difference. That all being said, given I purchased a Miller Digital Elite, I think my CigWeld will be my observers hood. I always have people wanting to watch welding in progress (they have never welded) and now they can. They can even experience a mild flash

 

[gluckmysock]

Just thought i would mention, what to do if you get flashed!! I am not a welder by trade, but have walked through our weld shop on more than one occasion and been flashed. Didnt know it til I woke up at 3 am feeling like i had 2 handfuls of sand in my eyes. One of our welders told me, if I thought I had gotten flashed, was to look up at and incadescent light for a few seconds and that would take care of it. Believe it or not, It has worked for me many times.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[spv]

Just thought i would mention, what to do if you get flashed!! I am not a welder by trade, but have walked through our weld shop on more than one occasion and been flashed. Didnt know it til I woke up at 3 am feeling like i had 2 handfuls of sand in my eyes. One of our welders told me, if I thought I had gotten flashed, was to look up at and incadescent light for a few seconds and that would take care of it. Believe it or not, It has worked for me many times.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the tip. It is however my understanding that my "Flash" is different from an unprotected flash, like you mentioned. I have read that the flash that you get when wearing a helmet is nowhere near as bad as one without. Apparently you still get the almost all the UV protection from the lens even when not darkened. I may be way wrong on this, but I have this vague memory about the differences.

For the record I have never had the "sand in the eye" feeling from a flash with my helmet on. I do however get that "sand in the eye" eye-strain when I play my XBox for a few hours!

 

[zuk123]

I bought my AD hood years ago, and never looked back. The long term neck trauma from constant flipping is significant. The only advantage I could see for the old style is if you are stick welding and need to chip slag. Then just flipping up the dark glass would be handy. Unless you are welding structural steel, get a good AD hood.

Some things I found to improve safety and comfort:

Never weld with just a white or light colored shirt on. The light bounces off your shirt, reflects off the inside of your hood, and into your eyes. Cataracts are no fun.

If you are seeing reflections of floro's or sunlight, etc in your hood, you are putting a lot of strain on your eyes. You wouldn't spend all day looking at the sun or staring at the lights in your shop! Rearrange your lighting or work area. The light should go on your work not the back of your head!

Really good light on your work will help enormously. It improves (lowers) the contrast between the arc and your work, letting you see better where to weld. It also helps you see when the AD isn't on but your hood is down.

Keeping your hood clean helps visibility too. My hood has a replaceable clear cover over the filter, inside and out. It's amazing how hazy it can get. Just cleaning and replacing that was like my eyes got 20 yrs younger!


To respond to whoever didn't see much benefit to the AD feature, the biggest thing for me (other than reducing neck pain) was the increase in my efficiency. Once I get my part jigged up, I can lower the hood and very quickly move from weld to weld. It's a lot easier to bounce around and spread out the heat when you can find the joint quickly! I find that I can jig up the piece, tack everything, bounce around running beads, and finish the whole piece without ever raising my hood. Much faster!

zuk

 

[IndyGarage]

As said above, the cheap helmets aren't fast enough for a Tig.

I had an older OPtrel that kept flashing me, so I bought an HF helmet - still flashed me,

Then I got a Speedglas and all is well.

 

[1grnlwn]

I had problems with the tig arc reflecting off of the curtain behind me and lighting up inside my hood. I made a leather back curtain for my hood. Worked great. Little steamy though.

 

[spv]

Thanks to the guys at Harris Welding, the helmet arrived in 5 days from the US to Australia. This is amazingly fast for the shipping to get here. It usually takes at least 2 weeks for items to arrive from the US.

Anyway, the helmet worked flawlessly. I was not flashed once. Instead of using any custom settings I held down one of the buttons "Auto" and let it set the parameters. I then used it and it was perfect. Even in direct sunlight it did not have any issues in darkening at the right time and without delay. I was surprised how good this helmet is. It really does make a massive difference.

That all being said it is not the most comfortable helmet despite having many adjustable straps/fixings. It is quite heavy and the hood does not stay up - a slight tilt forward of your head and it comes down with some force. So I am re-training myself to take it off before walking around to grab something. The ergonomics are pretty bad, but the lens itself is brilliant and more than makes up for the comfort factor.