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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default Need to replace a welding helmet

    Hi everyone. Sadly my 17 year old Miller Elite is starting to play up in regards to the power on switch not working all the time. I am using the helmet for AC DC Tig, Mig and Arc welding. I'm not welding all day long and some weeks I don't do any welding at all. I am currently looking at the four sensor Weldclass Promax 350 & 500 Helmets. Has anyone used these helmets and if so what are they like ?. Thanks in advance.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Gulfview Heights, Adelaide
    Posts
    83

    Default

    I have the Promax 500 helmet. I do not do a lot of welding, but I am really pleased with it.
    It has a large view and good clarity. There are better helmets out there, but they are much more expensive.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default New helmet

    I would suggest looking at a Unimig Razor RWX8000 helmet.
    It uses the newer true colour lens technology which does away with old style green filters. The LCD screen has been thinned down for much better vision.
    The harness is also robust and comfortable.
    They sell for around $200.00 plus GST and most welding shops can get them in.
    BC

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
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    Default

    Thanks for the replies. The
    Unimig Razor RWX8000 helmet looks and sounds really good, just watched the video on it. A mate has lent me a spare helmet to use till I get a new one. I have got a Speedglas Helmet at work that the headband broke on about a month ago and now I've finally worked out its model number I'll get a new headband for it. All the same the Speedglas is an old Helmet and doesn't have a big viewing area so I'm only repairing it as it's a good helmet and so I can have a spare helmet. I'll let you know what I end up buying Helmet wise.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi steran50,
    I am in exactly the same boat as you bar my Miller Elite being only 7 years old.

    Given what I paid for it and how well it has been looked after, I am really peed off.

    Be aware that that only the Miller and 1 other brand (I can't think of it) 2030 batteries are the right fit as they are marginally thicker than the others. This info was on the Miller site somewhere.
    Is the problem an intermittent operation of the membrane ON button?

    I went back to my WIA electronic and that is my second one of that brand.I hang these shields on the wall and wrap them in a plastic bag when not in use ,so I don't know whats affecting them.

    I know some people have pulled apart their shields and repaired them and have had a look on Utube ,but theres not much there on Miller shield repairs.

    Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
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    Default

    Hi Graham, The Miller Elite's certainly are an expensive helmet. I was given mine by way of an upgrade replacement after about 6 weeks as I had bought a $350.00 Hobart Helmet at the time which was a heap of crap even after a another electronic cartridge unit was tried, so I was given a $450.00 Miller Elite at no extra cost. In regards to the batteries I have had some difficulty over the years at times getting the helmet to turn on, but now it's really letting me down. I actually removed the rubber membrane yesterday and found that the helmet would turn on if I pressed the switch. I am tempted to try and repair it as it's a really good helmet, I'm thinking it just needs a new switch, but perhaps its the batteries. I think my Miller takes CR2450 but I would have to check anyway I did some searching based on your post and it seems Panasonic batteries work - https://forum.millerwelds.com/forum/...cr2450-battery . I'm going to order a couple of panasonic batteries and give them a go in case it is just battery thickness. Thank you for the heads up on the battery thickness too Graham, it's not something I even considered.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    I'm a speedglas man.
    Last one I purchased (9100 tru view) came with a revolving warranty on the lens for 2 years. So if it fails, new lens, and another 2 years on that one.
    Plus the parts I've found are pretty common, otherwise easily got. From a cover lens to the battery, down to the little fan clips on the hinges.
    The new speedglas stuff looks pretty darn good- can switch between colour profiles within the dark shades- so a blue, red or green option. Thinking red would be the duck's for low light...

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

    Default

    Hi,
    Sorry about that ,they all look like 2030 batteries blame age and forgetfulness and -I was too lazy to look.

    I''ll have ago at scraping the rubber membrane off.

    It is weird, works one week over a couple of days and 2 weeks later on ,it doesn't.
    Planned Obsolescence maybe?

    Thanks for the tip

    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I also have Promax reason; it has replaceable batteries, has a large screen and has true colour, not the old fashioned green view and it was about half the cost of comparable big brand units

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Commander_Keen View Post
    I'm a speedglas man.
    Last one I purchased (9100 tru view) came with a revolving warranty on the lens for 2 years. So if it fails, new lens, and another 2 years on that one.
    Correction. it's 3 years revolving on the speedglas.

    Just a word of advice, a good lens will make your welding so much more enjoyable, you'll see more, and be able to better correct any mistakes or errors throughout your weld... so aim to get the best you can afford IF you are putting in the hours under that hood. You'll be able to see the puddle better, and it's better in more light conditions.

    Just quietly, as far as lens quality goes, I'm also a fan of the gold omni view lenses for the pipeliners. Always have one on hand and bust it out occasionally. Robust, simple, and you'll get one of those on your head for under $50. And cover lenses are like 50 cents each!
    Last edited by Commander_Keen; 15th Mar 2020 at 08:50 PM. Reason: wee=/= See. typo

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    I've had a Speedglas 9100FX AIR for the past 7 years at work, have not had any issues with it and it sees a lot of use. Wouldn't mind the new Speedglas G5-01, it has Bluetooth functionality and a bigger lens for better viewing

    Having the flip up visor is convenient for grinding, don't think I would want to go back to a fixed lens helmet.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I have three helmets with Omni view lenses but you can't get Omni view with auto darkening helmets

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
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    Default

    I've managed to find an instruction manual for the Speedglas 9002V that had the part number for the headband 04-0650-00 (came up on one site as 711-04-0650-00). I don't think the Speedglas will be getting repaired as the headbands are around $90.00, if they were $50.00 max then yeah. Though I have some manual helmets around so maybe one of their headbands will fit.
    I do like the Speedglas helmets though, but your paying a fair bit of money for wide viewing screen which is what I want and it looks like parts are expensive. I've just now emailed this website https://weldinghelmetsonline.com.au too see if the Speedglas headband they list might fit.
    It seems there is no auto helmet with those omni view len's. I tried a gold lens years ago on a manual helmet, but didn't like it not sure if they are the same as an Omni one. Graham in regards to the rubber membrane I used a small screwdriver and gently got under the edge of the rubber and then pulled it off. You do need to be careful though and only just get under the edge of it otherwise you risk damaging the PCB.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steran50 View Post
    I've managed to find an instruction manual for the Speedglas 9002V that had the part number for the headband 04-0650-00 (came up on one site as 711-04-0650-00). I don't think the Speedglas will be getting repaired as the headbands are around $90.00, if they were $50.00 max then yeah. Though I have some manual helmets around so maybe one of their headbands will fit.
    These guys are the importers, so anyone else is just reselling.
    Last time I inquired with these guys and they gave me a list of places I could get the helmet. Parts should be the same. Blackwoods, BOC, Aus industrial supplies, etc etc etc.

    This product may work?
    https://www.awsi.com.au/welding-helm...9000-sl-705015

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    What Commander_Keen posted will work, it is an improvement over the old head band. They have started remaking these helmets again with a new True-View Lense "9002NC"

    Otherwise if you want to go cheap, you should be able to make something work from one of the Cigweld hiderok helmets or a faceshield.

    I'd probably just go for the speedglas headband though.

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