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Auto-darking Helmet

Hello, I'm taking a TIG class at a local Community College. I purchased an auto-darking helmet for my course work. From the start, I've had visual difficulty seeing the weld puddle. Primarily, the puddle and the surroundings are too dark. I've adjusted the helmet to the lowest settings, but still too dark.

Today one of my instructors had me try a different helmet, non-auto-darking w/a magifing lens. What a difference... I could see the puddle and the stainless steel looked like stainless steel instead of materail painted in dark gray or black paint.

Has anyone had a similiar experience? Next week I will have the instructor try the helmet too get his opinion.

BTW, my helmet is a Hornell 9000x, which I like a lot (well I did until I saw the light thru another helmet). I'm gonna call Hornell tomorrow.

Thanks, in advance for any ideas or suggestions...

Boomer

Reply to
Boomer
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If it were new - was it charged up ? - batteries new ? - likely in defense mode - bad battery - turn off. One would wish that was the case.

It takes some time to charge the first time in the sun - then if welding much, it charges it with the arc.

Martin

Reply to
Eastburn

Call Hornell, they are really good at warrantee work, and it sounds like something is wrong.

A 9000X is a good hood.

Reply to
Ernie Leimkuhler

I had the opportunity to have my instructor try the helmet tonight. After completing the weld, his first words were, "Do you want to sell it?".

I will try a magnifing lens next. Thank you for your responses.

Boomer

non-auto-darking

Reply to
Boomer

I used my 9000x for a month before I realized there was a plastic film on the protective lens that needed to be removed.

Reply to
dave

I've had a similar experience, but with a different helmet. I have a Jackson NexGen autodarkening helmet. I usually leave it set at 9 shade. It seems darker than a gold plated 9 shield, and darker than a friend's older autodarkening helmet. It took me a while to get used to it. I figured that AD helmets filtered out more colors, which made them seem "darker".

Robert

non-auto-darking

Reply to
Robert Bender

Reply to
John Jacob

The lack of magnifying lens might be your problem. I couldn't see the puddle and then realized I needed a different pair of glasses for the distance. Made all the difference in the world. Billh

Reply to
billh

Yeah, I guess my helmet is like yours. Mine filters out a lot of the colors and gives the resulting view a darker appearance. I'm using a 9 setting too.

Last night when my welding instructor checked my helmet, I tried his. I don't remember which auto-darking helmet he had, but the light and colors were different than the Hornell 9000x.

Reply to
Boomer

I too had that happen... However, I was at home 'playing' with it when I discovered that the view of the light bulb was distorted.

Boomer

non-auto-darking

Reply to
Boomer

I'm going to pickup a magnifying lens. I think I'll 'see' some real benefits.

Boomer

Reply to
Boomer

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