(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

HF auto-darkening Helmet??

M

MNGB

Well-known Member
Hi all, did a search and found some information but not what I'm looking for, I've had a HF Auto darkening helmet for about 5 yrs has worked good for me I don't weld a lot, but yesterday it stopped darkening I'm thinking its the battery went these have a non-replaceable battery. My question has anyone replaced a battery in one?
GB in MN
 
Mine got where it didn't want to darken like it
used to. Took it outside, and set it in the bright
sun. Has worked great for the last year again.
 
From there manual

"Solar Cells
This Welding Helmet utilizes high performance solar
cells as power supply, and has two built-in 3V
lithium
batteries as power backup. No change of battery is
needed. Under normal welding conditions, users can
expect a battery lifetime of more than 6 years"
manual
 
I have one and after about 5 years mine also stopped
working. I split apart the housing and one of the 2
batteries was dead. I replaced it but it still did
not work. I ordered a replacement lens/electronics
module on Ebay (about $15 from China) and its
working like new again. I don't remember if I tried
the 'sun' thing but may have.
 
When I'm not using mine, I have it facing the south window of shop. Mine is about 5 years old. Last time I used it, it seemed to be a little slow. Then I discovered there is a fast/slow switch inside the helmet above the lense. I may have moved it to slow when I was cleaning lense.

I don't see what having it exposed to the sun will hurt, does anyone think otherwise?
 
Hi thanks to you all for the replies, I'm going to try the sun light thing But here in MN we hardy see the sun in the winter :( :cry: but it can't hurt to try.
And thanks Jeff in CT never thought to look on e bay I'll give that a try also. Again thanks to all
GB in MN
 
The trouble with replacing the electronics/optics is that over the past ten or twelve years, I've had about as much trouble with the headgear as with the lenses. I don't weld anywhere near as much as someone who welds for a living, but probably 50 times as much as someone who only welds to fix something or for the occasional project. I've had several Harbor Freight (or other Chinese) auto darkening helmets that have started working erratically, and didn't respond to being left facing the summer sun for many hours over several days. Still, I like these helmets a lot, and think they're one of the great bargains at Harbor Freight.

Stan
 
The lenses on my HF helmets get too scratched up and cloudy to see through long before the battery gives out. I generally wait for them to come on sale for $40, and treat myself to a shiny new helmet every 3-4 years. Then I keep the old one as a backup, or for guests who want to watch.

$15 plus shipping for the replacement lens unit, plus your time and aggravation, just doesn't seem worth it to me on a $40 helmet.
 
"scratched up and cloudy lenses"

I use a spray cleaner for auto interiors on my lenses. It makes them like new again - an unbelievable improvement. They get so nasty that they're almost useless before I break down and clean them. Can't remember the name of the cleaner offhand - Magera, or something like that.
 
I bought one for home 3 or 4 yrs ago and other than the headband sucks, I d take over one of the 300$ ones we have at work, I figure when the lense goes bad or it doesn't work right ill just go get another, plus I can use the same helmet for grinding or or welding just by adjusting the knob
 
Thanks all for the replies, I'm learning some things, I did check out e bay for new replacement lens assy but just about all the sellers are in China and many do not have good ratings, so yesterday afternoon I removed the filter and was trying to open it up to check the batteries, well while working on it (didn't get it open) noticed it was working again, but it must be the batteries as it works a few times then gets slow to darken. I found a video on replacing the batteries and I'm going to try that.
http://www.pskl.us/wp/?p=648
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
OT-OT----Mercedes Benz sl500 retractable hardtop.
Replies
7
Views
412
Nordic
N
H
Ford 8n Not Cranking
Replies
16
Views
410
Janicholson
Janicholson
R
Delco starter drive
Replies
11
Views
656
rrlund
R
J
Alternator not working
Replies
12
Views
877
Jim.ME
J
J
Darkening helmet
Replies
18
Views
1K
Oliver 500 Wa
O
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top