Is there something wrong with my welding helmet?

[OutbackL130]

This is a picture from inside my Miller Elite for comparison.

These are from inside my speedglas 9002x flex view with adflo that I just bought used but in like new condition.

 

[Markcuda]

I also have a Digital Elite.
What are you thinking is wrong?

 

[Arc weld]

Are the inside and outside cover plates new? Especially MIG welding the outer cover will get a film on it making it hard to see.

 

[OutbackL130]

The discoloration you see in the last three pictures is exactly how my speedglas filter lense appears in person. I dont like how there are dark colored patches, kinda looks like a tv screen damaged by a magnet. Makes me wonder are my eyes being protected or was the filter lense somehow compromised.

I've been breaking in the speedglas for the past couple days and you really only notice the discoloration in light mode. I just assumed its how the speedglas was made. Then I got to doing a lot of fitting work today in light mode and realized there must be something wrong with this helmet.

My miller elite and other AD helmets are all evenly tinted green in light mode. I was wondering if anybody here uses a speedglas and could tell me this is normal for them?

 

[CNC Dan]

auto dark welding filters provide full UV protection in both the light and dark states.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Take out all the clear lens and see if the rainbow effect goes away. I suspect this is caused by a faulty clear lens OR too many clear lens stacked together. If not the clear lens it must be something wrong with the filter plate. Perhaps a good cleaning of Speedglas lens and clear lens with a cloth moistened with Windex(I advise not wetting the auto-dark lens directly) would remove the discoloration.

 

[k0ua]

Hmm.. this almost looks like a Moire pattern to me.. try turning one of the cover lenses 90 degrees if that is possible (if they are the same dimension on all sides). Also does the pattern appear in sunlight or only under florescent light? Just grasping at straws here, I don't really know.

James K0UA

 

[CNC Dan]

Perhaps someone forgot to remove that protective film?

 

[flusher]

Hmm.. this almost looks like a Moire pattern to me.. try turning one of the cover lenses 90 degrees if that is possible (if they are the same dimension on all sides). Also does the pattern appear in sunlight or only under florescent light? Just grasping at straws here, I don't really know.

James K0UA

Could be moire. Could be strain patterns in the glass possibly due to clamping stresses on the edge of the glass. Could be interference fringes due to non-uniform glass thickness.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Perhaps someone forgot to remove that protective film?

This is also a good possibility.

 

[k0ua]

Perhaps someone forgot to remove that protective film?

Could it be that simple?:shocked:

 

[Scooby074]

^its happened.

Something ain't right with that Speedglass.

 

[MH8675309]

I have an old tiger hood I used years ago in the shop. No batteries and still works fine but you have to give a nod when you go to weld.

 

[OutbackL130]

When I dismantled the helmet for a closer look there was no difference in the discoloration with or without the cover plates and there is no protective film. I contacted 3m about the problem yesterday and their repair rep is supposed to call back.

 

[Markcuda]

My Digital Elite has been flawless for the 2 years I have had it, I bought it new.
And it gets used pretty good, I use 44 pounds of.045-LA-90 wire every other day.

 

[k0ua]

When I dismantled the helmet for a closer look there was no difference in the discoloration with or without the cover plates and there is no protective film. I contacted 3m about the problem yesterday and their repair rep is supposed to call back.

okay well that answers that. I guess technically it's broken now

 

[OutbackL130]

I have been using my miller elite for two years and love it. I put the miller coolband on it which makes welding in hot weather more comfortable and the best part for me is it eliminated the fogging safety glasses issues I was having here on humid georgia nights. The only reason I went with the speedglas is for adflo. I wanted a PAPR helmet.

If there is indeed something wrong with my new speedglas I hope the seller will take it back. They advertised it as in good working condition and I paid top $$.

 

[Scooby074]

How old is the helmet? Whats 3M's warranty?

Hope you didnt get stuck with a POS. Wonder if the original owner knew about the lens and thats why he flogged it off. Thats the one thing that scares me about a used electonic device. Was this an eBay purchase?

 

[Markcuda]

Just weld with it and see how it does.

 

[stuckmotor]

Outback,
I just realized this is the fancy new filtered air helmet that you recently purchased. How's the air quality so far?
Stuck