Welding helmet/mask???

[Big G]

Ok, so I bought a new solar powered, auto darkening welding helmet from PA.

Nothing in the instructions about "charging" but I figured I'd put it out in the sun most of yesterday to make sure it's up to working like it's supposed to. So I find my brightest flashlight and it dimmed!... for a second and went right back to bright. Is this normal? I'd rather it not do that when I start welding.

Sorry for the newb question. LOL

[Big G]

I can't wait to start welding!!! ;D

[itsakeeper]

maybe flashlight isn't bright enough ?

[Big G]

The flashlight I'm using is an LED, bright as fawk.... hurts to look at it flashlight. LOL

[chevystroker]

I've had mine do that too. Look up at the sun to test it, goes dark for a second, then back to a lighter shade. But worked normal when welding.

Easy to test though. Get all set up to weld a bead on a scrap piece of metal, look away from the gun, and then lay a short bead for a few seconds. Helmet should stay dark for the whole time.

[Hawkes]

Weld without it, then with it. If there's a difference it works. ;D

[Creepy]

May 20, 2011 14:53:39 GMT -4 Big G said:

The flashlight I'm using is an LED, bright as fawk.... hurts to look at it flashlight. LOL

I think it charges by UV.

Looking at the sun, my perfectly working helmet will flick between shade/dark. The sun might not be bright enough, and it doesn't seem to do a good job of charging.

But one arc flash to charge and you are good to go for a few days.

default is dark, so you won't get flashed. If there is power for it to be on, it will be a light shade once the button is turned on. If the batt is dead, it will be dark.

If it will change states with the button, its good to go.

[justajeep]

Yes, you don't need to put them in the sun, welding light runs them. Normal for them to not stay dark with anything less than welding flash.

They are dark enough when light that if it did flicker to light while welding it wouldn't hurt your eyes. I've had them do this working in tight spots when the light gets blocked a bit.

[Big G]

Awesome. I'm feeling much more confident to try it out.

Thanks guys.

Scrap pieces here I come!!!

[Creepy]

Stick your face right in there!

The welding UV will sunburn ya too, so don't wear shortsleeves and gloves. I've never burned my neck, but heard of it.

[theonlybull]

yeah, the burns suck.. any exposed skin is fair game, i've burnt my neck lots, ususally when welding overhead, or vertical.
welding around a lot of stainless, i've burnt the back of my neck and ears....

good luck, we've had pretty good luck with those pa helmets, they don't last as long as the good onces, but don't cost $200 either....

we just got a couple miller prohobby ones, seems to be a good hood sofar

[Big G]

Mask works!



... welder not so much. Fawked the tip. I guess I'll have to wait until tuesday to get more.

[justajeep]

CT might have tips for those welders.

[Big G]

Thanks Alan! I'll try tomorrow.

Found this vid. It's VERY beginner, but I picked up a couple good tips.

[Trever]

Just a little warning,,,,When buying a helmet "you get what you pay for". I bought a PA auto darkening helmet a couple years ago. Started getting welders flash ALOT. Found out it wasnt reacting fast enough even on the most sensitive setting. Ended up spending the money and buying a good miller helmet.

Hopefully yours will work better then mind did.

Hopefully