Auto Darkening

[Dangle_kt]

Hi,

I bought a US auto darkening helmet (you know the ebay specials), I'm really pleased with it, but I keep getting flashed as I strike the arc. Is this normal?

I've had no lasting effects YET, but I am concerned I could be doing damage.

Do any of you guys have any recomendations on a good helmet if this isn;t what should be happeneing.

 

[Lyhkaust]

My experience with auto darkening helmets wasn't all the great. They're tricky, upredictable and with cheapy ebay types as you suggested, pitifully unreliable.

I'd just prefer to use a standard lens hood or an Accu-Strike model.

 

[shenion]

I have 2 cheap ebay auto masks. They work great.

However, I did check the response time. Both of mine respond in 1/25,000 th of a second.

Some cheap masks (and even more expensive masks from the likes of Lincoln) have a response time of 1/1000 or even 1/400 th of a second. These will give you a flash at the start of the arc.

Consider a camera flash is typically near 1/10,000 to 1/1000th of a second. You will need a mask faster than that to prevent the same effect.

 

[Lyhkaust]

I've actually used an Lincoln Electric A/D hood last month. I left the hood on my dash while I was at work one day to allow the lithium battery to charge to be ready for the next day.

So, the next day came and I was ready to use it, F****in A man! The lens didn't get as dark as it SHOULD've been (Shade 11) and after one long 6 inch weld I had a bad case of burned eyes, so I packed it up and luckily I was able to get my money back.

 

[Barkychoc]

I have one of these

http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Welding_Helmet.html

and its brilliant - I have the sensitivity set as low as it will go (otherwise my floodlight sets it off) and haven't had any problems at all. Recommended.

Chris

 

[rtbcomp]

One tip is to have plenty of ambient light, such as a floodlight, to sharpen up the response of an auto-helmet.

 

[Barkychoc]

One tip is to have plenty of ambient light, such as a floodlight, to sharpen up the response of an auto-helmet.

Oh OK - I thought the opposite would be true that it would respond beter in dark surroundings.

I've just got a 150 watt outdoor PIR lamp (B&Q £3 clearance) mounted on a vertical bit of studding, was only a quick bodge together and its really useful, and with the PIR timer set as long as it will go it also means it turns off after a few minutes if you leave it for any reason.

Chris

 

[Dangle_kt]

very interesting about ambient lighting, I have my garage lit by rubbish low energy bulbs, and with all the body work for my kit car hanging up in the roof space it means its pretty dark in there really.

I'll look to get better lighting.

Cheers!

 

[storm monkey]

You might need to play with where you position it. I have small strip lights just above my bench and they can set the helmet off occasionally. Pain in the ass when you need something from the shelf, and suddenly everything goes dark!

My helmet is a Paraweld, and its been faultless.

Phil

 

[rtbcomp]

You might need to play with where you position it. I have small strip lights just above my bench and they can set the helmet off occasionally. Pain in the ass when you need something from the shelf, and suddenly everything goes dark!

My helmet is a Paraweld, and its been faultless.

Phil

That's how I test mine if I haven't used it for a while, quick glance at the striplight before welding.

With a high ambient lighting it will be just on the point of tripping, so when the spark starts up it gets tipped over the threshold more quickly.

 

[Woody.v8]

Ive used hornell/speedglas for years and never had a problem even in pitch black tanks etc, Then only time i get caught out is in positional or awkward places where the censor gets covered and you get a bright surprise.

 

[Lyhkaust]

Hornell Speedglass hoods are among the best Auto Darkening hoods on the market. If I had the funds to ascertain one, I would.

 

[shenion]

I've actually used an Lincoln Electric A/D hood last month. I left the hood on my dash while I was at work one day to allow the lithium battery to charge to be ready for the next day.

So, the next day came and I was ready to use it, F****in A man! The lens didn't get as dark as it SHOULD've been (Shade 11) and after one long 6 inch weld I had a bad case of burned eyes, so I packed it up and luckily I was able to get my money back.

Is that the $100 one sold at Home Depot?

The cheap ebay ones at $40-$50 are better. Can't believe Lincoln Electric puts their name on it.

 

[Lyhkaust]

Not technically Home Depot. More like Lowe's. Same bullcorn, different name. Luckily I got my money back on that crap.

But you're right, Lincoln Electric should be shot putting their name on that bullcorn.

 

[SparkyCanuck]

I'm just a rookie welder (a month under my belt) but I have an OK job in computers so I sprang for a Miller Elite auto-darkening mask after trying an auto mask in class.

I love it. We do O/A, MIG, and stick in class, but I have a stick at home (1960's era Craftsman AC buzzbox) so I do most of my work on that. After a couple of afternoons spent arc'ing out in the yard, I haven't been flashed yet, although it did take a few tries to set the sensitivity to deal with the changing sunlight. But it made things a lot easier with striking an arc where I wanted to without having to nod the mask down.

Theoretically, even if the thing doesn't darken at all, the wearer is safe. The ANSI rating means that the UV will be stopped by the thickness of the lens, and the auto-darkening feature is just for comfort. Even with the thing turned off, according to the manual (and on-line sources) the only negative effect would be spots in the eyes--no arc-eye. Mind you, I haven't had the guts to try pulling out the batteries and striking an arc.

Anyway, I'm just a random rookie on the net so take this for what it's worth (which is what you paid for it).


Torben

 

[restorer]

I have one of these

http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Welding_Helmet.html

and its brilliant - I have the sensitivity set as low as it will go (otherwise my floodlight sets it off) and haven't had any problems at all. Recommended.

Chris

I have the same mask, it works brilliant all the time. I have fluorescent tube lighting in my workshop and even they can make it darken if I have a squint at them.

I'd say £70.00 is about the least you want to pay for a mask. Won't be taking any chances with my eyes thanks.

 

[Luke]

I've got a Parweld auto mask from weldequip, wouldn't be without it, it's great.

I'd definitely echo the points about decent ambient light, it makes it easier to weld, easier to see before the mask kicks in etc.

 

[Weldingartisan]

Shenion,
I'm curious, how did you test the response of your screens? W/A

 

[shenion]

Shenion,
I'm curious, how did you test the response of your screens? W/A

I did not test the response time, just went by the specs in the ad or box.

 

[50mags50]

mine is a princess auto mask 49.00 is it sufficient?