Auto Darkening Helmet

[slk]

I have an auto darkening helmet from HF that does not work anymore. It is only a year old. I do live in MN where it is cold for 6 mo out of the year, so I keep the helmet in its box for that long as well. I use a regular helmet during the cold months. Have I ruined it by doing that. Since it is solar and no batterys it is not being charged if it is in a dark box. Is there anything I might be able to do to get it working again? Also what is the life expectency of one of these helmets?

Thanks
Steve

[bugdust]

I don't know much about HF helmets or how the cold affects them but generally most stuff from HF is junk IMO. You get what you pay for. I use the Jackson EQC NexGen helmet. It was a little more $$$ but my eyes are worth it.

[Engloid]

Personally, I use a $26 "always dark" lens...cause my eyes are worth it.

Of my 20 closest relatives, I'm the only welder...and the only one that doesn't need any contacts or glasses. I have 20years of experience, 17 professionally (full time). What's that say to you about the level of vision safety you can get for $26?

[Ironheart]

Let it set in the sun for a day. I've been told that is how people charge up Hobart's Auto Dark Helmets.

NOTE: The HF helmet may do an outstanding job of protecting you.
Are your eyes something your willing to bet with.

My Jackson helmet cost 5 times what you paid for your HF helmet. I feel safe when I weld...

[lwj]

They are solar, but they have battery which gets recharged when exposed to the light. Like mentioned before leave it in a lighted area for a day and it should work. It is emazing when this happens to HF stuff it is becouse it is junk and you got what you paid for, but it is different story when it happens to the stuff that you over paid for. Leaving it in direct sun light more than an hour, I was told is not good for any of them, so I would keep it in well lighted area.

[Ironheart]

I don't think anyone was calling the helmet junk due to its lack of charge.
At any rate I was not. I have a shop full of HF Stuff/Junk, none of which is Safety equipment.