Spots in my auto darkening lens?

[moluski]

Its been about 15 years since I picked up a stinger and I recently got my hood out of storage to try it again. Amazingly, the automatic lens still works but when I turn it off, it starts to get black dots on it and they get bigger and bigger until the whole lens is dark. Is this what its supposed to do? Its been so long I've forgotten so much. I'm a little embarrassed....Angela
P.S....Yes I changed the batteries.

 

[R Kraft]

15 years is a long time.
I think the batteries they use in them are only rated for 3 years.
Though after 15 years, could be most anything.
Robert

 

[moluski]

Replacing the batteries was the first thing I did.

 

[malcolm]

When you turn it off...

15 years old will make it a very early helmet so will probably it will do things differently to a modern one. Is there a switch to turn it off? That would surely disconnect the batteries. The failure mode for auto-darkening helmets should be dark.

So long as it is light when you are not welding and becomes dark instantly when you are welding and instantly light when you stop it should be a good one. You could test that by wearing it close to a fluorescent light or maybe a light bulb and putting your hand over the sensor.

 

[weldequip]

Kaput! Although it might not be obvious at first glance, those black dots are the liquid crystals inside the cartridge trying to escape!...you will find there is a hair-line crack in the lens somewhere. Bin it & replace it, they are cheap enough nowadays (bet you paid more for it 15 years ago than they cost now! ).
weldequip

 

[Hitch]

Yeah, the lense has gone for sure. Usually happens if you crack the corner or something as Weldequip said.

 

[moluski]

Unfortunately the same lens I bought for $250 back then is about the same and even more now. I messed with it a little with a light bulb and it seemed to darken like its supposed to. I looked all over it very closely and saw no cracks or anything. I guess Ill just have to arc it up and give it the true test.