What is the best welding helmet?

[Angle Ricker]

Hi,
I am a MIG welder. I want to start welding within a short time, and want to buy an auto darkening welding hood for my new work.
Please let me what kinds of welding hood is good for me?
And let me known which brand is good and that helmet price.
Thanks

 

[itsmoked]

They all work the same and all suck for the same reason.

They do their jobs well enough that which-one doesn't matter.

The problem is they use a microcontroller that is on ALL the time. It watches the "ON" button to see whether it should be active or not. That cheap-ass stupid scheme causes the obscure coin cell batteries to die about once a year right when you need the helmet and when you don't have any freak cells around.

The best helmet would be one that has a mechanical ON/OFF toggle switch. I generally rip out the coin cells and double sticky tape in the appropriate battery holder that holds the correct number of AA batteries. Then it lasts a couple of years and when it dies there's hope you have AAs laying around. Better is to add the switch and then the AAs last forever.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[LionelHutz]

I've had one for many years with the little solar panel and it still works without any battery changes.

 

[itsmoked]

What brand??

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[LionelHutz]

A no-name with flames on it. Paid about $75 for it on sale I think. The shelves had a bunch of others that seemed to use the same electronics.

A quick Google Image search showed this picture that I might be it, or similar to it.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/sp...VhfDACh1C4w4_EAQYBSABEgLQU_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It has an off switch too, but not sure if that's right off or just a signal to the electronics. I think there is a battery compartment inside behind the solar panel that could hold AAA batteries. I'd have to go home and look to see what's in it. Can't recall ever opening it.

 

[IRstuff]

Please refrain from double posting

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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[LionelHutz]

What double posting. Asking 2 different questions in 2 different threads is not double posting.

 

[itsmoked]

Okay thanks LionelH. That sounds like they might have actually done it right. Mine has solar cells on the face but I was under the impression that they were what was sensing the arc. Solar powering a welding helmet seems absurd since you usually don't use them in the sun or 'leave them out' in the sun. Interesting non-the-less.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[Roger Ryan]

the lincoln electric welding helmet is the best welding helmet that has auto-darkening welding helmet and solar-powered welding helmet

 

[SwinnyGG]

Solar powering a welding helmet seems absurd since you usually don't use them in the sun or 'leave them out' in the sun. Interesting non-the-less.

Solar cells work indoors too...

 

[Artisi]

No batteries

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[waross]

Solar powering a welding helmet seems absurd since you usually don't use them in the sun or 'leave them out' in the sun.

How do the solar cells discriminate between solar light and the intense white light of the arc? (grin)

Bill
--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[btrueblood]

Smoked, that is a great idea. I just bought a slew of coin cell batteries from China via Amazon to keep with my welding hood...but in a week or so when those all go south, I will be shopping for a AA battery holder...

 

[btrueblood]

waross,

they don't, that is one way to test your hood (see if it darkens when quickly turned to face the sun).