What a great idea for restoring these HF welding helmets. Now I just need to remember to turn the shade control to off (grind) to preserve battery life. Thanks for sharing a great fix!
You're welcome! I actually put a separate switch in mine that cuts the power directly from the batteries. I found the batteries were still running down even if the helmet switch was off. I just used it today and it's still working! 😊
My helmet has one 3v cell in a pull out holder, so I don't require this cure, but I have a problem. Why is it that whenever I go to use my welding helmet (which isn't often) the battery is dead? Why is current being drawn when the helmet is just lying there? Should I be storing it in the black bag it came in, for some reason? It is very perplexing because these things have no on/off switch.
Gary-Seven! Oh yes I remember him... 105 miles, 104 miles.. 😊 To your question, I have run into that before. On this model I had that happen a couple of times So I did install a physical on/ off switch inline with the battery holder and that did solve the problem. This one actually has a switch on the helmet from the factory that clicks as if it were off, but I still had a problem with a dead battery. I don't know how hard it is to install a switch in your case but it would solve your problem.
This is a GREAT hack!!!! Awesome job with updating from your previous video. You should probably pin a comment with a hyperlink to this video mentioning the update and also recommend it using one of those tiles at the end of the video. I never even knew there were cases like the one you used! If there's enough space I might clean a portion on the inside with isopropyl alcohol and gorilla tape him in rather than drilling the helmet. Either way this was an EXCELLENT recommend 👍👍👍
Excellent idea to pin this to my other video... Thanks for the idea. The gorilla tape is great, but if you store it in a hot garage for example, the glue may let go due to the heat... 😀... Also that battery case has an on/off switch. I found that one of my batteries died again... Even with the helmet off. So use the switch on the battery case and store it with the switch off. I put a piece of tape on the inside of the helmet indicating which way off was so I didn't have to get a magnifying glass every time to figure out which way was off! Thanks for the feedback..
So I took mine apart and there is only one battery…a CR2450 and it tests at 3.18 volts. If I replace it with (2) CR2032 batteries, that’s 6+ volts. Am I going to screw something up?
HI... Yes don't add the 2nd battery if yours only has the one at 3V... You should still be able to use the 2032 battery since it's 3volts and easy to get a holder for it.. Unless you can find a holder for the 2450.
HI... No they don't charge from the solar panel. The solar panel is just the light sensor that triggers the helmet to go dark. (At least I think that's what it is for!). Not a dumb question... 😊
The only thing the solar panels do is when you start welding they sense the light and trigger the helmet to go dark. They have nothing to do with charging the battery. The batteries aren't even rechargeable so if they are saying that, it's not true.
You did not show how you put the battery in so the way is the first one near the wires goes in + up and the other goes - up to make it in series. It has a + on the bottom last one which is wrong on mine. Thankyou for the video it helped a lot.
Oh that's not good! You can test it with a cigarette lighter spark or an igniter for a torch... anything that makes a spark so you don't have to risk it blinding you with a weld spark...
Could have just jumped the left side + - leads and just ran the positive and negative on the right side. Less wire to run across the top of the circuit board.
What a great idea for restoring these HF welding helmets. Now I just need to remember to turn the shade control to off (grind) to preserve battery life. Thanks for sharing a great fix!
You're welcome! I actually put a separate switch in mine that cuts the power directly from the batteries. I found the batteries were still running down even if the helmet switch was off. I just used it today and it's still working! 😊
Thanks I just started a welding class and need an auto darkening that works
You're welcome! So glad I was able to help.. 😊
I plan to do this modification tonight to my dead helmet. Thanks for the great video.
Excellent! Hope it works for you... 😀
@@JLPicard440 Worked perfectly. I attached the battery to the helmet with a 3M command strip. Thank you.
Just finished mine. Works great! Thank you for the excellent tutorial!
Great to hear! You're welcome and I'm so glad I could help..
My helmet has one 3v cell in a pull out holder, so I don't require this cure, but I have a problem.
Why is it that whenever I go to use my welding helmet (which isn't often) the battery is dead?
Why is current being drawn when the helmet is just lying there?
Should I be storing it in the black bag it came in, for some reason?
It is very perplexing because these things have no on/off switch.
Gary-Seven! Oh yes I remember him... 105 miles, 104 miles.. 😊 To your question, I have run into that before. On this model I had that happen a couple of times So I did install a physical on/ off switch inline with the battery holder and that did solve the problem. This one actually has a switch on the helmet from the factory that clicks as if it were off, but I still had a problem with a dead battery. I don't know how hard it is to install a switch in your case but it would solve your problem.
@@JLPicard440 103 miles. Thanks.
Excellent presentation, thanks for sharing !
TYSM! I really appreciate it
Great video. Filming great and nice explanation. Thanks for posting.
Thank you so much!
Awesome job, thank you for sharing!
You're welcome! Thanks for the great feedback...
This worked like a charm. Thanks
Great to hear! You're welcome, so glad I could help.
Could also use a 4aaa battery cradle to get longer battery life.
Yes that's true... 6V is 6V... 😀
This is a GREAT hack!!!! Awesome job with updating from your previous video. You should probably pin a comment with a hyperlink to this video mentioning the update and also recommend it using one of those tiles at the end of the video. I never even knew there were cases like the one you used! If there's enough space I might clean a portion on the inside with isopropyl alcohol and gorilla tape him in rather than drilling the helmet. Either way this was an EXCELLENT recommend 👍👍👍
Excellent idea to pin this to my other video... Thanks for the idea. The gorilla tape is great, but if you store it in a hot garage for example, the glue may let go due to the heat... 😀... Also that battery case has an on/off switch. I found that one of my batteries died again... Even with the helmet off. So use the switch on the battery case and store it with the switch off. I put a piece of tape on the inside of the helmet indicating which way off was so I didn't have to get a magnifying glass every time to figure out which way was off! Thanks for the feedback..
I think I accidentally deleted your newest comment! Sorry about that, I did read it. You're welcome.... 😀
Where did you buy the battery holder?
HI, I got it from Amazon. I believe I left a link in the description... 😀
So I took mine apart and there is only one battery…a CR2450 and it tests at 3.18 volts. If I replace it with (2) CR2032 batteries, that’s 6+ volts. Am I going to screw something up?
HI... Yes don't add the 2nd battery if yours only has the one at 3V... You should still be able to use the 2032 battery since it's 3volts and easy to get a holder for it.. Unless you can find a holder for the 2450.
Brilliant! Thank you!
You're welcome! So glad I was able to help.. 😊
Well i only have one battery.....its reading atleast 3v. So is my helmet only set up for 3 volts. Im confused
Interesting... You must have a different helmet. Does that voltage drop when you turn on the helmet?
Thanks man and God Bess you .
You're welcome! So glad to help. 😊. God bless you too..
are these battires 2032 Battery Recharge with the solar on sheild sorry for the dumb question i realy dont know
HI... No they don't charge from the solar panel. The solar panel is just the light sensor that triggers the helmet to go dark. (At least I think that's what it is for!). Not a dumb question... 😊
Harbor freight describes this helmet as solar powered. I see the solar cells, but what do they do?
The only thing the solar panels do is when you start welding they sense the light and trigger the helmet to go dark. They have nothing to do with charging the battery. The batteries aren't even rechargeable so if they are saying that, it's not true.
Thank you soooooo much for this amazing video
You are so welcome!
You did not show how you put the battery in so the way is the first one near the wires goes in + up and the other goes - up to make it in series. It has a + on the bottom last one which is wrong on mine. Thankyou for the video it helped a lot.
Sorry if that wasn't clear... 😊
Great video. Thank you
You are welcome!
Great Video!!
Thank you so much!
Its a good video, thanks.
TYSM!
Great video thanks .
I was using mine today and all the sudden I got flashed , it stopped darkening all the sudden
Oh that's not good! You can test it with a cigarette lighter spark or an igniter for a torch... anything that makes a spark so you don't have to risk it blinding you with a weld spark...
My batteries are good test button darkens but striking a weld does nothing????
Could be a problem with the light sensor? If the batteries are good, I wouldn't take a chance with that helmet...
Damn smart!
TYSM!
Could have just jumped the left side + - leads and just ran the positive and negative on the right side. Less wire to run across the top of the circuit board.
Thanks for the info!
I tried this on 3 different helmets. It didn't work on any of them. 😞
It should... the helmet doesn't know where the power is coming from..
Im just confused because I just bought this helmet yesterday and it’s already showing symptoms of low battery 🤷
If you bought it yesterday, i'd return it... Harbor Freight is pretty good about that..
I can't even get the assemble off the helmet, uhg.
I think it just clips on... 😀