Optrel Solarmatic Comfort - how to use it?

[PaulMcElhinney]

Folks, I recently bought a s/h BOC Migmaster turbo. Thrown in with the welder was the above helmet. The question is how do I use it? It has an internal three position switch marked slow / delay / fast. On the outside is a round dial with positions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The whole auto darkening part can be removed from the inside by turning two toggles. Also, I have read about cutting these open in order to change batteries. How do you do this? I don't know whether the batteries on mine work or not. Thanks. Paul.

 

[voipio]

9,10,11,12,13 are the shade settings when the lens has darkened and the delay setting will determine how quickly the visor returns to the undarkened state. This allows the lens to stay dark for long enough after the arc has extinguished for you not to get dazzled by the glow from hot weld metal, but can also be useful when TIG welding using low currents. Test the helmet by looking at a tungsten bulb and waving your hand in front of the visor. It might be worth leaving the helmet pointed at a bright source nearby to charge the internal battery. Not recommneded to look at the sun, though, as solar brightness varies too little to keep the lens in the dark state, though pointing it sunwards will get some charge into the battery. The instructions are particularly poor for this helmet!!

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

Thanks Voipio, I didn't even realise that it had a solar rechargeable battery.

 

[Sparkey]

Yes and the delay switch is for changing the time it takes for the screen to go clear after you stop welding...slow or fast!
I always have it set on fast with my speedglas helmet so i can quickly move on to the next weld!

 

[Robotstar5]

I always have it set on fast with my speedglas helmet so i can quickly move on to the next weld!

Spoken like a true production welder Sparkles!

 

[Sparkey]

Spoken like a true production welder Sparkles!

Aawwwe..... i have to get out more....

 

[graffian]

Hold it with the cells a few inches from a fluorescent tube for a minute or so.
Mine darkens when you look at a fluorescent light. Look down then up at the light the change should be obvious. I just turn the setting so I can see the area around the weld, where I am heading, but so I can still see the pool.
I haven't ever moved the speed setting.