Auto welding masks

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do the auto darkening welding masks, usually need a replacement battery to be installed? The thing is - I cannot see where one might fit.

It's a Futuris FF - X250, which I had for many years. It has a large photocell on the front, so possibly uses a rechargeable cell, or it may just be for detection.

I came to do a bit of welding today, and it didn't darken, but it briefly flashed dark after the weld. It's normally hung in my dark workshop, with limited charging opportunity, so I have left it outside for now, to see if it charges/recovers.

 

[Mottie]

Pretty sure they all have a battery in. The one I have does although they last for years.

 

[robinbanks]

The batteries aren't always replaceable; can you post some pics of your helmet inside and out?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The batteries aren't always replaceable; can you post some pics of your helmet inside and out?

Tomorrow, maybe - I've locked the workshop up for the night..

 

[scbk]

I think the solar panel is just to run it whilst you're welding, the non rechargeable button cell does the switching. So yes they do need replaced after a good few years. You'll probably need to do some soldering.

 

[scbk]

On mine I soldered in a new battery.



On a friends one more recently, I soldered in a cheap little trailing battery holder, to make the next time round easier!

 

[Trazor]

Yours has a Lithium-Ion Battery, see specifications, bet yours is similar to this...

Futuris FF-X450 Black Auto-Darkening Welding Mask | Futuris | Face Shields | Arco

Futuris FF-X450 Black Auto-Darkening Welding Mask | Shop for Personal Protective Equipment at Arco, The UK's Leading Supplier of Face Shields and Visors. Buy Face Shields Today! | Arco

www.arco.co.uk

Nearly all modern helmets have an easily changed battery.

 

[Brigadier]

Always wondered about auto-dimming welding masks.
So, they fail-to-danger?
Not a risk I'd like to take (with the old peepers).

 

[Mr Chibs]

Think that is a bit like my helmet, will check later, but think the batteries are inside the black plastic section next to the dim/sensitivity 'grey' selector. Might be better to buy a whole new 'auto dimming' panel with easier to get to batteries. This is what I'm going to do.

 

[Mottie]

Always wondered about auto-dimming welding masks.
So, they fail-to-danger?
Not a risk I'd like to take (with the old peepers).

Not really a risk, if it doesn't work, it stays dark and you can’t see feck all before you start welding.

 

[Brigadier]

So, they're auto-undimming, that's what I thought would have been the sensible solution.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

On mine I soldered in a new battery.



On a friends one more recently, I soldered in a cheap little trailing battery holder, to make the next time round easier!

That looks identical to the module in mine.

 

[Brigadier]

Not really a risk, if it doesn't work, it stays dark and you can’t see feck all before you start welding.

Actually, rereading the OP, Harry's auto-darkens (or not, currently).

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Actually, rereading the OP, Harry's auto-darkens (or not, currently).

All I can confirm, is that when I tried to use it - it remained light/ undarkened, until after I stopped welding when it gave a brief dark flicker.

 

[Trazor]

All I can confirm, is that when I tried to use it - it remained light/ undarkened, until after I stopped welding when it gave a brief dark flicker.

Then your Helmet has failed, chuck it away,

It should darken, when the battery fails.