Jackson W40 Welding Helmet, Do I Need New Batteries??

[SweetMK]

My Jackson W40 helmet has worked perfectly, for 2.5 years.
What I ran into yesterday, may be a characteristic of the helmet,, or perhaps the batteries are dead,,

(NOTE, I have not used the "GRIND" mode before,,)

When using the helmet as a "welding" helmet, the auto-darken works perfectly.

but,,,, when using the helmet in "GRIND" mode, where the shade stays at "4", if the solar cell is not directed at a light source, the helmet reverts back to "WELD".
The helmet reverts back to "WELD" in under 2 minutes,,.
If I place the helmet under a significant light source, the helmet will stay in "GRIND" mode.

Possibly, the helmet is "going to sleep" when it does not see a significant light source??

It is sort of a pain having to keep resetting the helmet to "GRIND",, so I always have to "PARK" the helmet so that it is pointed at a bigger shop light.

Do you think this is normal, or could it be that the batteries need to be replaced??

[wmgeorge]

My Jackson W40 helmet has worked perfectly, for 2.5 years.
What I ran into yesterday, may be a characteristic of the helmet,, or perhaps the batteries are dead,,

(NOTE, I have not used the "GRIND" mode before,,)

When using the helmet as a "welding" helmet, the auto-darken works perfectly.

but,,,, when using the helmet in "GRIND" mode, where the shade stays at "4", if the solar cell is not directed at a light source, the helmet reverts back to "WELD".
The helmet reverts back to "WELD" in under 2 minutes,,.
If I place the helmet under a significant light source, the helmet will stay in "GRIND" mode.

Possibly, the helmet is "going to sleep" when it does not see a significant light source??

It is sort of a pain having to keep resetting the helmet to "GRIND",, so I always have to "PARK" the helmet so that it is pointed at a bigger shop light.

Do you think this is normal, or could it be that the batteries need to be replaced??

I'd get out the owners manual.

[Louie1961]

I have that helmet but I can't say I ever observed that issue. With mine, when I needed new batteries it just stopped working. Batteries are cheap enough, give it a try. Even with solar cells they don't last forever.

[Lis2323]

Interesting to see what the answer is.

I've never used grind mode on any helmets so am of no help.

[SweetMK]

My Miller auto darkening helmet lasted 18 years,, I am sure I expected the Jackson to last more than 2.5 years,, so, I doubt the manual is to be found,,,,,,,,,,

I do not know if the change from Grind back to Weld is a problem, other than the "reset", the helmet works as it should, in "Weld".

The Miller did not have a "Grind" mode,,

[Lis2323]

If I'm not actually welding I want the hood off my head.

Plus isn't it difficult to switch modes with gloves on?? Maybe a voice actuated Bluetooth option would be nice.


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[SweetMK]

If I'm not actually welding I want the hood off my head.

I was using the helmet with the plasma cutter, "GRIND" is perfect

[SweetMK]

OK, as a follow up, I forgot the helmet had a battery condition displayed inside the helmet.

The helmet has been in the dark for 2 days, and I looked at it this evening, the battery condition shows "FULL',

So, my guess is that "GRIND" only stays on as a solar powered function.
The display is LCD, but when the helmet is switched to "GRIND" , a bright amber light is displayed.
I would think the helmet only displays that amber light with solar power,, the light may draw too much current for the little coin battery.