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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Location
    Wellington, NZ
    Age
    55
    Posts
    6

    Default My helmet is flashing me

    Hi all,

    I am a very beginner (TIG) welder, just running a few beads for practice. But one of the challenges I did not expect is that I am having a weird issue with my helmet. Every so ofthen it will auto undarken, giving my a very bright flash. Most of the time I flinch and stop, but if I simply ignore that and keep on welding it darkens again within less than a second and then carries on as if nothing has happened.

    I assume this is user error

    This is a brand new, cheap full face auto darkening helmet that I have set as:
    - Sensitivity max
    - Delay changing back to clear about a second
    - Shade 12
    - there is a slider switch Grind | 5-8 | 9-13 which I have on the 9-13 option, by setting this to grind I also use this as the basic on off switch.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks!
    Sander

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    No idea as to the cause, but be assured that uv protection is in place always, not just wheb darkened.
    So while uncomfortable, it's not immediately dangerous.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    turn delay up higher.
    Delay is usually the time that arc is NOT sensed by helmet to 'light' shade time.
    It is possible that the arc sensor on the helmet is being occluded by your hand, filler rod, cup, etc etc... and triggering the light shade. The helmet goes dark when it 'sees' an arc, and this requires straight line between arc and arc sensor.

    It's not ideal that it cuts in and out, and not all helmets will handle TIG amperages and arcs, so you can perhaps look at a higher quality helmet in the future, or stick to a cheap but reliable pipeliner style helmet with the fixed shade lens and learn to nod the lens cover shut.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Location
    Wellington, NZ
    Age
    55
    Posts
    6

    Default

    @Russ57, well, that is good to know!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Location
    Wellington, NZ
    Age
    55
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Thanks, I'll turn the delay up way high to test and if that works then fine tune it. Interesting that not all helmets work well for TIG, just irritating that I just bought this one. Who knew buying the cheapest possible helmet would backfire?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Bendigo
    Age
    60
    Posts
    419

    Default

    Does it have a replaceable battery and or is it solar charging ?

    If solar charging make sure you leave it out to fully charge. Likewise battery, although brand new it may have been on the shelf for some time.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Location
    Wellington, NZ
    Age
    55
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Ah yes, good point. Let me replace the batteries and see what that does. Thanks!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Sander,
    It is about terminology.

    In another life I was a trade tech teacher for welding and metalfab, so I have some knowledge of this problem.

    Lets sort some terms out first. A real welding flash involves damage to the eyes from the emitted welding arc radiation.

    When you suffer a real flash imagine someone tipped some metho in your eyes and then threw in a handful of sand.

    The eye/eyes will go itch,water copiously and you will want to rub them. Dependent on the severity of the flash you may require medical treatment.
    At some stage you will inadvertently touch the live electrode to the work surface when you welding shield is not pulled down in position. This will produce a momentary arc which will emit infra red and Ultra violet radiation.

    If you are not wearing clear safety glasses there is a possibility of the arc radiation striking your naked eye. Severity is dependent on the duration of the arc,the distance to the arc and the angle your eye is to the arc..

    With shield pulled down and not functioning properly, the bright light you experience will not produce a flash as described above. Its a like sensation when driving at night and an oncoming car doesn't dip their high beam and you are dazzled. That's not a flash.

    My recommendation is to always wear clear safety specs under the shield.

    Hell! its uncomfortable and a pain in the bum but not so much as being driven to the hospital in severe pain for the numbing eye drops. Trust me you will know the difference between the two conditions.

    I strongly recommend that welders wear clear glasses under the shield for this reason.

    As for what is wrong with your welding shield I'll leave to some one else.
    In the mean time have a look at this for info on welding flash.

    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/...es-flash-burns

    Stay Safe

    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    I have the same problem with my CIGweld auto lid when the sensors need cleaning, or if I weld in awkward positions and obscure the sensors.

    Wear a pair of UV400 rated clear safety glasses under it if you can that will go a long way to protect your eyes in the event the screen opens while you’re lit up.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Sander,


    Some idea on the brand and model of the shield may help.If it is the case that the fresh battery does not solve the problem.

    I have some thoughts about your welding shield.

    In the past I have had trouble with a cheaper electronic shield whilst using the TIG.

    Similar problems to what you described, occurred at low welding amps say below 50. My belief is that the emitted arc light radiation is lacking enough power to keep the electronic control open.

    If your are fortunate to have stick welding cables, try stick welding with that same shield at higher amps., say 100 amps.

    If you can consistently hold an arc and your shield does not show the same problems as those caused by the TIG, you can probably correctly assume that the shield, works but can't handle lower tig amps.

    I have the feeling you may require a better quality shield to perform lower amperage TIG welding.

    Just a thought?

    Grahame

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Western Sydney
    Posts
    262

    Default

    I've had the same prob with my helmet , mostly happens at night when welding, when it happens i worry that i'm gonna wake up the next day with eye burn. You can avoid it happening again by using the old school style permanently dark shaded front lift helmets (see attached pic) , to see through the lens better strap a torch to it , that way you will avoid striking in the dark.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Revesby - Sydney Australia
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Iron triangle View Post
    using the old school style permanently dark shaded front lift helmets (see attached pic) , to see through the lens better strap a torch to it
    As a kid, that is the only helmet we had.

    The whole "flipping up, lining up for the strike, flip down, manage to stuff it somehow, flip up again" thing drove me crazy.

    As a 20 year old, I worked out that holding a PAR38 floodlight close to the weld would let me see through the dark green inky darkness. Just make sure it is one of the globes with the thick glass front


    P.S, I also flashed my eyeballs (burnt my retinas?) as a 19 year old. Was trying to weld an exhaust pipe at someone's place, and his helmet was missing. That night I woke up with the most exquisite itching in my eyes

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