Can auto darkening welding helmet capsule be restored.
Windy | 16/07/2021 20:35:37 |
![]() 910 forum posts 197 photos | Can auto darkening welding helmets capsule be restored.. After some years decided to practice Aluminium Tig welding today. I have a Parweld helmet that is as new I hardly used as not fine enough for low amp welding that I was doing on my flash steam stainless generators. Also a SWP that was great for welding with a few amps. The auto capsules are not working any chance they can be made working again. Did get an odd darkening but very rare.. They both are hardly used I know there are some cheap solar ones on Ebay. If I can repair them easily would prefer to do that.. Edited By Windy on 16/07/2021 20:37:40 |
Andrew Johnston | 16/07/2021 20:52:13 |
![]() 7061 forum posts 719 photos | Flat batteries? Andrew |
Joseph Noci 1 | 16/07/2021 21:01:20 |
1323 forum posts 1431 photos | As Andrew said, probably the batteries, and most of these cheap helmets don't allow easy battery replacement - I had two such and did cut open the module - there were two lithium cells, in series, with the center tap also connected so seems like it used a split supply. Did that about 7 months ago, and this weekend the helmet is playing up again.. This helmet also has small PV panels, but as I don't do much welding, the helmet sits in a box so no sunlight and no welding UV and it appears the quiescent current is not insignificant. I again replaced the batteries, but with two D Cells, duct taped to the top of the helmet.. Joe |
peak4 | 16/07/2021 21:21:50 |
![]() 2207 forum posts 210 photos | If your local store has any left, Lidl had some on offer recently, which may work out easier. I've not tried them, so I don't know the quality |
Windy | 16/07/2021 22:54:52 |
![]() 910 forum posts 197 photos | Have jumped the gun the parweld has mainly been in its box for ten years its manual says the built in battery will only last 6 years. After being in the light all day its working again. The 10 year old SWP has started working again after leaving near when I practiced a few hours ally Tig welding. |
Dave Halford | 17/07/2021 16:10:21 |
2536 forum posts 24 photos | The SIP basic £40 one has a grinding option which switches the battery off. The battery is a CR3032 car key fob type. If it sees welding flash it still darkens. |
Jim Smith 8 | 17/07/2021 17:06:40 |
29 forum posts 8 photos | It will be the batteries. I had 2 Chinese that went the same way. The first had a draw for an AAA cell but the cell had been in too long and I had to clean up the terminals. The second had a coin cell battery inside which I replaced and neither helmet is now going to land fill. During the helmet recovery process I discovered in addition to the electronic auto shut off, my darkening control knob had a switch on the end and when off, nothing drains the battery. I now remember to turn it to the off position. |
Andy_G | 17/07/2021 19:34:31 |
![]() 260 forum posts | Posted by Windy on 16/07/2021 20:35:37:
If I can repair them easily would prefer to do that. If they are the type with the small solar cells on the front, I believe they can sometimes be 'kick started' by leaving them in the sun for a few hours. I have one of the cheap supermarket ones (Aldi, I think) with 2 arc sensors and while it is/was fine for stick welding, it wouldn't reliably stay dark with low-ish amp TIG. (A relatively inexpensive 'Tacklife' branded one with 4 arc sensors did work OK, however.) |
Dave Halford | 17/07/2021 20:23:16 |
2536 forum posts 24 photos | Posted by Jim Smith 8 on 17/07/2021 17:06:40:
During the helmet recovery process I discovered in addition to the electronic auto shut off, my darkening control knob had a switch on the end and when off, nothing drains the battery. I now remember to turn it to the off position. Otherwise known as grinding mode |
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