Replacement lens & backup helmet?

[Fallon]

Went to do some practice today out in the frosty cold shop & my Miller Digital Elite auto-darkening helmet wouldn't power on. Replaced the battery & still nothing. Promptly realized there are 2 batteries & vaguely only remember replacing 1 the last time a few years ago. 1 3v battery was about 1v & the other 2.3v, so likely only replaced one last time, or one just died a lot harder this time. So hoping I just need another new battery I don't have on hand at the moment. Ordering new batteries now & generally being annoyed.

So I proceed to dig out my 10-15 year old Northern tool helmet I keep around as a backup. Auto-darkening lens in it is dead to. Poke around & there is no user serviceable way to change the batteries. Kind of impressed it lasted as long as it did actually, although I have no idea when it died. I've had to replace batteries in the Miller at least once & it's probably half it's age. Pull the lens assembly apart & the batteries (same size as my Miller helmet batteries) are welded to the tabs. I can solder, but am not setup to weld battery tabs, so likely to never put it back together. No welding today for me.

Backup helmet thoughts:

• Try a $15 replacement lens off Amazon & hope it fits & works
  • Very doubtful it has replaceable batteries either, so it likely only lasts 5 years tops
  • https://www.amazon.com/Darkening-Welding-TX500C-Automation-Goggles/dp/B07NRNB5H4
• New $40 auto-darkening helmet from Harbor
  • Looks the same as my Northern Tool, probably a common cheap Chinese design or rebadged all over from 1 factory
  • Very doubtful it has replaceable batteries either, so it likely only lasts 5 years tops
  • https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...hade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-46092.html
• $27 auto-darkening Yeswelder helmet with "truecolor" lens
  • https://www.amazon.com/YESWELDER-Powered-Darkening-Welding-Helmet/dp/B09YTV6F9Q/
• Find some cheap fixed lens something
  • Harbor Freight has one that is a whole $2 cheaper than their auto-darkening one, but won't have battery issues
• Find something on Craigslist
  • One or 2 I've seen seems to be more expensive & probably has scratched up outer lenses

Any other recommendations?

 

[Eagle1]

I've had good luck buying chinese lens replacements with solar and replaceable battery off ebay. Cheap enough to have spares on hand. Seem to get 5 years out of a $10 part.

 

[Fallon]

I've had good luck buying chinese lens replacements with solar and replaceable battery off ebay. Cheap enough to have spares on hand. Seem to get 5 years out of a $10 part.

Like Welding Lens Filter DIN9-DIN13 Darkening Cover Solar -10℃～65℃ 1.5 X 10 | eBay ? See a pile of ones identicle to that. The big black knob on the lens a door for a replaceable battery? Not labeled on most of them.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I put my uber-expensive Jackson lens into the least expensive Jackson helmet to make a sleeper in the hopes that it doesn't grow legs and run away. As I wrote up in my review,

"This is a sturdy, quality helmet featuring the same helmet retention system as Jackson's more expensive auto-darkening helmets. The best thing about this helmet is that it will accept Jackson's TrueSight II lens allowing your $300+ lens to go incognito on the Jobsite."

 

[Eagle1]

Like Welding Lens Filter DIN9-DIN13 Darkening Cover Solar -10℃～65℃ 1.5 X 10 | eBay ? See a pile of ones identicle to that. The big black knob on the lens a door for a replaceable battery? Not labeled on most of them.

Yup seem to work ok, but have received them with dead batteries, but keep some on hand anyway.

 

[California]

Like Welding Lens Filter DIN9-DIN13 Darkening Cover Solar -10℃～65℃ 1.5 X 10 | eBay ? See a pile of ones identicle to that. The big black knob on the lens a door for a replaceable battery? Not labeled on most of them.

I don't see any of that model with US shipping. Mid to late February from China is some of the vendors' estimates. But with Covid exploding in China right now, it might take longer.

I found a $13 one with similar dimensions, and shipping from New Jersey. No idea if quality or precise dimensions are the same.

Solar Auto Darkening Filter Welding Polish Mask Welding Lens for Welding Machine | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Solar Auto Darkening Filter Welding Polish Mask Welding Lens for Welding Machine at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I didn't look on Amazon. There might be a better match there, and some reviews too.

 

[mikester]

I hope the CE certifications are real and I'm not slowly blinding myself

https://www.princessauto.com/en/black-1-variable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet/product/PA0008820003

The extra wide and tall view finder is nice. There are more options to choose from

https://www.princessauto.com/en/searchresults?Nr=product.active%3A1&Ntt=welding%20helmet*&Nty=1&No=0&Nrpp=50&Rdm=859&searchType=simple&type=search

 

[Fallon]

I don't see any of that model with US shipping. Mid to late February from China is some of the vendors' estimates. But with Covid exploding in China right now, it might take longer.

I found a $13 one with similar dimensions, and shipping from New Jersey. No idea if quality or precise dimensions are the same.

Solar Auto Darkening Filter Welding Polish Mask Welding Lens for Welding Machine | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Solar Auto Darkening Filter Welding Polish Mask Welding Lens for Welding Machine at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I didn't look on Amazon. There might be a better match there, and some reviews too.

Definitely worth gambling $13 or so rather than re-welding tabs on non-removable batteries. Pulled the trigger. Hopefully the new batteries show up today or tomorow & fix the much more expensive Miller.

How do people store their helmets? I try to keep it in the garage (drawer) in my welding cart to keep the dust off. It has solar cells on it to allegedly charge up the batteries, but those obviously don't work in a dark drawer. Seems like a trade off between keeping it clean or replacing batteries more often.

 

[Eagle1]

Mine sits on the welder with solar getting morning sun, but it does have a dusty screen....

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I hope the CE certifications are real and I'm not slowly blinding myself

https://www.princessauto.com/en/black-1-variable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet/product/PA0008820003

The extra wide and tall view finder is nice. There are more options to choose from

https://www.princessauto.com/en/searchresults?Nr=product.active%3A1&Ntt=welding%20helmet*&Nty=1&No=0&Nrpp=50&Rdm=859&searchType=simple&type=search

On the helmet you linked to, the classification is the same as the best glass.

Optical Classification

1/1/1/1

On the other hand, I've never heard of non-replaceable batteries in a welding helmet. I replace my batteries about every two or three years.

 

[WranglerX]

My AD helmet originally can with "welded" and sealed in batteries.... After it died I contacted helmet manufacturer (Metalman) and they "very graciously" shared the cost of a replacement AD unit with one that uses a pair of AAA batteries..... My major problem though is not with any AD units, but good comfortable headgear that will hold helmet in place during awkward moves/positions...

The other thing to consider if its a "solar" unit with sealed in batteries it need to be stored where light can reach solar cells... Keeping it under cover or in storage bag will shorten battery life....

 

[sd455dan]

Went to do some practice today out in the frosty cold shop & my Miller Digital Elite auto-darkening helmet wouldn't power on. Replaced the battery & still nothing. Promptly realized there are 2 batteries & vaguely only remember replacing 1 the last time a few years ago. 1 3v battery was about 1v & the other 2.3v, so likely only replaced one last time, or one just died a lot harder this time. So hoping I just need another new battery I don't have on hand at the moment. Ordering new batteries now & generally being annoyed.

So I proceed to dig out my 10-15 year old Northern tool helmet I keep around as a backup. Auto-darkening lens in it is dead to. Poke around & there is no user serviceable way to change the batteries. Kind of impressed it lasted as long as it did actually, although I have no idea when it died. I've had to replace batteries in the Miller at least once & it's probably half it's age. Pull the lens assembly apart & the batteries (same size as my Miller helmet batteries) are welded to the tabs. I can solder, but am not setup to weld battery tabs, so likely to never put it back together. No welding today for me.

Backup helmet thoughts:

• Try a $15 replacement lens off Amazon & hope it fits & works
  • Very doubtful it has replaceable batteries either, so it likely only lasts 5 years tops
  • https://www.amazon.com/Darkening-Welding-TX500C-Automation-Goggles/dp/B07NRNB5H4
• New $40 auto-darkening helmet from Harbor
  • Looks the same as my Northern Tool, probably a common cheap Chinese design or rebadged all over from 1 factory
  • Very doubtful it has replaceable batteries either, so it likely only lasts 5 years tops
  • Standard Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
• $27 auto-darkening Yeswelder helmet with "truecolor" lens
  • https://www.amazon.com/YESWELDER-Powered-Darkening-Welding-Helmet/dp/B09YTV6F9Q/
• Find some cheap fixed lens something
  • Harbor Freight has one that is a whole $2 cheaper than their auto-darkening one, but won't have battery issues
• Find something on Craigslist
  • One or 2 I've seen seems to be more expensive & probably has scratched up outer lenses

Any other recommendations?

Antra are not to expensive and have 4 sensors fast switching. They have very good ratings for the price and feedback is good on amazon.
i am considering replacing my 7 year old Antra AH 6 260 with an AH 7 860 model Mainly for a larger window, but it has worked well for TIG MIG stick and plasma cutting plus has a grinding mode plus replaceable 2032 batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XIJNBP6/ref=emc_b_5_i?th=1

The Lincoln 3350 Viking looks Good to but at 5 times the cost it should.

 

[California]

How do people store their helmets? I try to keep it in the garage (drawer) in my welding cart to keep the dust off. It has solar cells on it to allegedly charge up the batteries, but those obviously don't work in a dark drawer.

My Antra helmet from Amazon was recommended here in this forum. I bought it in 2016, and replaced the two coin cells (2032) for the first time last year. It lives in the dark, in a filing cabinet in the shop. I suspect its 'solar cell' is only to trigger it when welding.

 

[Fallon]

My Antra helmet from Amazon was recommended here in this forum. I bought it in 2016, and replaced the two coin cells (2032) for the first time last year. It lives in the dark, in a filing cabinet in the shop. I suspect its 'solar cell' is only to trigger it when welding.

Ya, I've suspected the same. My Northern Tool & The HF helmet look about the same. I suspect they are all just copies. Switches vs knows on the sensitivity & some have replaceable batteries. The replaceable batteries seem to be the only really useful extra feature.

On the picture for the Ebay one I just ordered & several others they indicate 2-4 sensors the size of small LEDs in addition to the solar cell. No clue if the solar is yo run things while welding, an additional sensor to permit grind mode, or to charge the battery. Who knows on the cheap stuff.

 

[California]

The HF 'Blue Flame' helmet from 20 (?) years ago needed to charge in sunlight before it was ready to use. But not this Antra.

 

[tomplum]

I had a basic Amazon helmet which I see is NLA. The lens worked well but the rest of it was hard to keep in position. Flimsy. A basic Tweco helmet with the 4 sensors is good. That is my back up. I spent a few more bucks and got a nicer Lincoln wide view that I really like. Optrel can KMA after offering no help with my Satellite and their soldered in batteries.

 

[Fallon]

New batteries got my Miller back online. May try to fiddle with soldering batteries into the old Northern Tool helmet, or may just toss it & wait for the cheap Ebay replacement to show up for my spare.