solar powered welding helmet

[jr dragster Tyler]

I have just purchased a solar auto darkening welding helmet is the battery charged by the solar panel when welding or do i have to put in direct sunlight for the sun to charge it?

[Jblankster]

good question, one i cant answer lol

[robertdjung]

hmm. I'd never considered that. I guess welding would charge it fine, considering that the arc is super-bright (which is the reason we're wearing gloves, helmets, etc to begin with).

Is it like the others where you just press the glass to turn it on? if so, you'll be able to know pretty quick if it's not working, IE the glass won't change.

[kibble]

The light coming off of the welding arc should be more than sufficient to power it. The solar cells used in these welding helmets are similar to the ones used on hand held calculators. They don't need to put out massive amounts of current. Plus the glass works like a calculator LCD and doesn't take up much power to begin with. Are you sure your helmet uses a battery? I thought they didn't have any, but then again, I haven't taken mine apart. Maybe I should get on that, LOL.

[jr dragster Tyler]

yes im sure it uses a battery and no it shades by it self robert therse no way to test it which sucks some of them you press the glass just to check it but not this one

[mikeandike]

find a fluorescent light or a really bring light and look at it with the mask on. It should go dark. if not just leave it there for a while(not sure but that should charge it). The arc when welding charges the battery. Ive never had it not work even when i got it out of the box.