How (don't laugh) do you use an auto darkening mask? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carrameow · #1 02-12-2006, 07:03 PM

Hi I have a new auto darkening mask from Lincoln Electric taht I paid a 100 bucks for and which uses two AA batterys and I'm not sure its auto darkening. On one side it has a small "push on" button which makes it dark, but when I am welding I am not getting that feature to happen automatically. This obviously isn't a funny issue. Is the filter side sensitive, is one side the outside and the other the inside? I cant find any info on the website...

engatwork · #2 02-12-2006, 07:08 PM

Is there an adjustment anywhere on the helmet? It should automatically darken when you strike the arc.

Ken300D · #3 02-12-2006, 08:28 PM

My auto-darkening helmet uses solar cells and there's probably a rechargeable battery in there somewhere.

The helmet has an adjusting knob on the side that takes the darkened condition from something like a #9 glass equivalent to something like #13 glass equivalent (can't remember exactly). The glass equivalent being what you'd find in a regular helmet.

The good part is that no matter which setting you use, 100% of the harmful UV rays are blocked. So all you're going to get is bright light and not permanently damaging UV.

I tend to leave the helmet at the lowest darkening setting.

What you might do is look off to the side and strike an arc, but don't look at the arc. If everything to the side of the arc blacks out then the helmet is working. When you concentrate on the arc the auto helmets give the impression that nothing changes, but in reality it gets darker.

Ken300D

RichC · #4 02-12-2006, 08:51 PM

My helmet has a time delay adjustment and a sensitivity adjustment. Try looking around for those.

But I would think the glass should still darken no matter what these settings are set to.

Maybe try striking an arc just out of visual range with the helmet on. It should still get enough of a flash to darken the lens and you will not be staring at an arc.

Hope this helps.
RichC

kmaysob · #5 02-12-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrameow

Hi I have a new auto darkening mask from Lincoln Electric taht I paid a 100 bucks for and which uses two AA batterys and I'm not sure its auto darkening. On one side it has a small "push on" button which makes it dark, but when I am welding I am not getting that feature to happen automatically. This obviously isn't a funny issue. Is the filter side sensitive, is one side the outside and the other the inside? I cant find any info on the website...

wish i could help but i havent bought the autodarkening yet. i really havent had a hard time with the regular one. i know this is off subject but what kind of welder did you purchase?

Carrameow · #6 02-12-2006, 10:05 PM

I bought the last Hobart 125 with MIG at Harbor Freight in my area( they were dropping it from inventory) for 300--I think it was normally 460--guess I was lucky...I shopped around a lot, read a lot; I think Hobart is a lot better than Lincoln Electric

kmaysob · #7 02-12-2006, 10:15 PM

thats cool. i thought about hobart but i think just the opposite. i like lincoln better. i just bought the weld pack 3200. works pretty well. are you using flux core or solid wire?

dlssmith · #8 02-13-2006, 10:38 AM

Put on your regular old helmet with permanently darkened glass and watch through the new one to see if it works. When I got one several years ago, this is how I decided to trust it.

dmorrison · #9 02-13-2006, 10:55 AM

Mine has a switch on the inside that 1, turns it on and 2 allows me to select either a 10 or 12 darkness filter. The way I usually test it is to turn it on and point it to the sun, but not while looking at the sun, just turn the face to the sun and see if it darkens. It should darken when pointed at the sun. If it doesn't then either the switch is not on or the battery is dead.

Dave

#10 02-13-2006, 12:19 PM

Although Lincoln makes great engine powered welders and stick welders (The tombstones you see everywhere) they are definitely not noted for their MIG offerings.

Anyway to the auto dark question. Rich the way you describe your mask, I think that you have the type that is a domino shaped module that drops into the helmet opening. It has a TINY button on the front that you press to activate. If this is so, when you press on the front at the top of the lens, you will see it go dark for a few seconds and then go light again. If it is not doing that, it is not turning on.

For the button to work properly, you have to use a plastic lens on the front. A glass lens will not allow you to actuate that button. The plastic flexes enough to actuate the button. I have had one of those type for about five years, but recently got an adjustable, solar powered. With the solar powered one I don't have to worry, I just take it out of the bag, put it on and weld. I also don't have to remember to remove the batteries if it is not going to be used for awhile.

Also, Rich, if yours is the one that I think it is, be very careful if you set it down for a little while because there is a timer that will turn it off if not used for a certain amount of time. You can easily put it on and think that it will darken when in reality, it has timed out and is off. Always reach up and punch the button and see that it goes dark for a second or two to ensure that it is on. If it fails to darken, you probably won't get a burn unless you just weld with it for an extended period of time with it not darkened, but don't take the chance.

I have never been through a serious burn because I wear glasses. The glasses give enough UV protection that a very quick accidental flash will not cause a serious burn. Even sunglasses will prevent a serious burn from a quick accidental flash, but NEVER take chances. I have known people who had a serious flash burn and their description sounds like a few hours of "Hell on Earth."

Rich, please take your helmet and go to a welding shop or somewhere and get someone who is accustomed to welding to help you to KNOW that you have proper protection. I would expect that ANY weldor would be happy to help you with this because they understand the IMPORTANCE of proper eye protection. I'll bet if you find a welding shop you can just carry your helmet in there and someone will be happy to tell you if it is working properly or not.

If you ruin your eyes, you will never get another pair. If that were to happen we wouldn't have all your fun posts to argue over.

Take care,

Carrameow · #11 02-14-2006, 05:44 AM

THANKS EVERYONE! I reversed the filter so the sensor was on the wrong side--Boy was I lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

krs · #12 04-21-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrameow

THANKS EVERYONE! I reversed the filter so the sensor was on the wrong side--Boy was I lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did that once. Mine had been working fine at home and I took it apart to clean it up before going to a welding class. Showed up and got flashed at the first demonstration. The whole class participated in my discovery of my dumminess.