welding hood auto lens problem

Wife bought me a new welding hood for Christmas several years ago, auto-darkening lens from Northern Tool. The electronics are solar powered, but have two small batteries (round flat kind) I guess for backup power. It was to be a spare hood, and hadn't had a reason to use it until recently. Pulled it out and the electronic lens is cloudy, like it is all fogged up on the inside. It was stored without batteries in it, inside a plastic bin, so I know it has never been wet or drawn damp. Put new batteries in it, and there is an indicator light that shows it is getting power. But no change to the lens, it is still clouded up. Do these things go bad over time? It is so bad, we would have noticed it when we got it. Probably not feasible to try to find a replacement, just cheaper to toss it? They have replacement lens, but not the whole electronic assembly.
As a follow up question, what is the difference between the cheap models and the expensive? The other hood I have was not very expensive, but it works great. As a very occasional user, I don't need a fancy model, but don't want to sacrifice safety and vision either.
 
There is a world of difference in the cheap hoods and the good ones! There is also a huge price difference too!

I struggled with the cheap ones for years, had multiple problems like head band wouldn't stay tight, hinges wouldn't stay adjusted, batteries falling out, not darkening, etc.

One day in desperation I pulled out an old, nasty, dead Jackson hood. One of the first auto darkening models, it had become the one everybody used and nobody knew how to put it away or clean it up... I disassembled it, cleaned it up, went to the welding shop, was given some NOS parts! It now works great! I keep it hidden from the general population, so it stays clean. Much better than the Northern Tool/Harbor Freight hoods!

But, As I said, there is a huge difference in the price! Hard to justify for an occasional user. Might do some pricing, check Ebay or Craigs list for a good used one.
 
I have a large window auto darking welding helmet from Northern Tool, It works fine. My shop is not used in the winter, and not heated.
No problem with helmet.

Dusty
 
Had a good heavy construction fabricator/welder have one like that....he set out in direct sunlight for while...cleared it up and charged it good
 
Same here, I have a Jackson that is 20 years old and still works fine. One of these days the headgear is going to give out though. I might have changed the batteries in it twice in that time.
 
I supose that depends on the brand, but on my Lincoln the solar panel charges the battery and the
electric eyes (4 of them) change the shade.
 

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