Auto-darkening helmet...can't see

[bricot]

Getting back into welding, got one of the Northerntool autodarkening helmets to try. It has sensitivity and shade settings. Went to do some mig welding and I am having a very difficult time seeing the the area I want to weld once I start welding (welded some nice straight lines...right out of the joint and across one surface :< . Tried turning the shade down to 9, doesn't seem to help. Not sure how the shade affects sensitivity, if it does... Suggestions?

Stats on the helmet:
Auto Darkening Yes
View Area W x H (in.) 3.82 x 2.44
Switch time (sec.) 1/25,000
Adjustable Sensitivity Yes
Variable Shades 9–13
UV/IR Coated Lens Yes
Adjustable Fit 4-pt. adjustable headgear, replaceable sweat band
Power Supply Solar w/ battery back-up
Low Battery Indicator Yes
large 3.82in. x 2.44in. viewing area

[geezer]

I'm guessing,,Shade 9 is the lightest shade and should be the one you are using,,,the shade doesn't affect sensitivity,,,the sensors take in the light and the sense setting does that,, trouble seeing where to weld,,perhaps you are too far from the weld and need to get your face closer to the action,,,or need a cheater lense to magnify the weld,, I use one my self...using a soapstone line can also help guide you,,,you age the condition of your eyes the type of welding MIG,,TIG,,or stick can decide the proper shade to use...if you have a buddy with some welding experience let him try the new helemet,,,it could be a dud,,then again he may give you some pointers as how to follow the line you need to weld..One of the things that really makes a difference when welding indoors is to have the weld area well lighted,,if the room is dark you will have trouble to see it clearly when you weld,,,,use a trouble lamp to light the thing being welded and then try welding...makes a difference...

[bricot]

Thanks!

Any suggestions on good lighting (trouble lamps)?

[Tinker]

I've got one of those little adjustable tilt clamp on rectangular halogen lamps, around 100W I think. I can usually find a good place to clamp it on but hope to someday make up some arms and a stand so I can position it better. They run a little hot but if you're welding what's the difference :^)

[bricot]

Thats true! Thanks, I do a search for something like that.

[Tinker]

Not sure where you're located but most places like Home Depot, Lowes, local hardware stores, Harbor Freight, etc. should have something you'll like. I've got a two headed light on a stand from Sears but it's too big for most of my work.

[Brian Ski]

Tried turning the shade down to 9, doesn't seem to help. Not sure how the shade affects sensitivity, if it does... Suggestions?

Low Battery Indicator Yes

Well I know on mine if the battery gets low the shade is on very dark all the time. It acts weird and goes right to dark. Is the low battery indicator on??? or if cheap grab a new battery and give it a try.

[bricot]

Ok, it was the loose 'nut' behind the helmet. Got to looking at it and popped the inner lens out to find it had a shaded protective coating on it....pealed that off an it works fine.

[Brian Ski]

Ok, it was the loose 'nut' behind the helmet. Got to looking at it and popped the inner lens out to find it had a shaded protective coating on it....pealed that off an it works fine.

Well glad you told us the answer to the problem. I thought it was one you have been using for a while. A lot of people find an answer to a problem and not reply back to the posts or forums on the net. Others run across them with the same problem and puzzled what the solution was... At least it was cheap!!!!!!

[bricot]

I agree, I've run across that too wondering what the solution was ... even if it was a miss on my part. I was getting pretty good at making Christmas tree looking welds. Pretty happy with the helmet now!

[Winky]

Ok, it was the loose 'nut' behind the helmet. Got to looking at it and popped the inner lens out to find it had a shaded protective coating on it....pealed that off an it works fine.

That will do it. Something else that can help ... or at least it helps me when I'm plasma cutting (don't have an issue when welding) is to put more light on the work piece ... I have a halogen light I use and it really helps. I think at some point I'm going to set up a plasma table outside in the sun light and see how that works ... will be breathing in less stuff that way.