Thread: Cheap Cigweld auto darkening helmet is a "throw away" type - take note.

Can you return it? WIA have one as well, I think it is around the $100 mark. It looks like it has a replaceable battery.

WIA BLUE - Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets - Accessories - Welding.com.au

I bought a Hornet brand 170amp inverter welder and matching Hornet auto dark helmet. Both from total tools. (I think it's one of their in house brands)
The helmet was only about $40 and it has a non replaceable battery. I don't mind so much for the price.
It does the job, has solar backup, and if I get 2 or 3 years out of it ill be a happy camper

With a push I probably could return it but the United Tools branch is about 50 mins travel from me so for $75 I'll probably just grin and bear it. I googled about replacing batteries in these types of helmets and some people have managed to crack open the lid, take out the discharged batteries and solder wires to where the batteries were on the circuit board. They then used an EXTERNAL battery holder which they attached on the inside of the helmet. I'll probably do that when the batteries die. It's amazing how this non replaceable battery stuff is legal in our world of environmental freindliness, recycling, reducing carbon emissions, etc.

I actually passed a Total Tools store and called in for some electrodes a couple of hours after I'd bought the helmet. They had quite a range of lower end helmets so I looked for the nearest brick wall to hit my head off. The Total Tools website didn't show all the helmets they stock so it's worth just going in to browse if you are looking for one. Plus they seem to have a culture of service and freindliness to the customer, whereas my experience with United Tools stores has been quite the opposite (the workers I experienced actually seemed unhappy and unfreindly) and the guy where I bought my helmet new absolutely nothing about hemets or electrodes but acted like he did. He kept telling me "facts" about helmets which I knew were completely untrue. Then he offered me 6013 electrodes when I asked if he had any low hydrogen rods. Oh mustn't forget the prices he gave on Miller Digital Elite helmet ($700) and the Speedglas 9100fx ($900). How do shops like this survive - misery, know zippo, and quote massive prices. Total Tools from now on.

If You search on the Internet there are several videos and articles that show how to replace the nonreplaceable batteries. They mention Harbor Freight helmets and I would guess the main points are the same.

Originally Posted by beefy

Just got a new Cigweld auto darkening helmet from United Tools. Haven't even tried it yet but it seems OK for $75. Got the white one and I think it looks quite nice.

Got a bit dissapointed though when I read the manual and found out the internal battery is NOT replaceable. Guess this means the helmet is a throw away unit, even though everything might be working perfectly. Plenty people on various forums have said they've had a cheap auto darkening helmet for years but that luxury may not exist with this one.

Just something for anyone to check before buying any auto darkening helmet. Apparently even some of the more expensive ones used to due this (different brand). I personally feel it's nothing more than a technique to get you to buy another helmet every time the battery goes flat. I mean look at what goes into the making of a helmet and they can't put a little access lid to change the battery Talk about planned obsolescense, Cigweld has not done themselves any favours with future purchases from me.

Hey, has anyone seen those cars you can buy that come with a full tank of fuel, but when the fuel runs out you buy another car

It little bit late but when I bought my helmet from CIG about 3 years ago I asked about the battery and was told it was recharged by the solar cell. I have flattened the battery by leaving it in a dark location, to the point it would not work and then just put it in light for a while (not direct sun) and it is still working fine. I bought it because my previous helmet did not work. When I heard this info I put my old one in the light and it worked as well. That was a TecMan.

This may not be the exact same helmet but should be similar.

Dean

That's quite interesting, I leave my new helmet at the window now but not because I thought it would recharge, just so the battery lasts longer. I'm guessing the batteries will be those big flat button cell types, which I don't beleive are rechargeable, but then again, alkaline batteries can be recharged sometimes so who knows.

Originally Posted by beefy

That's quite interesting, I leave my new helmet at the window now but not because I thought it would recharge, just so the battery lasts longer. I'm guessing the batteries will be those big flat button cell types, which I don't beleive are rechargeable, but then again, alkaline batteries can be recharged sometimes so who knows.

I don't profess to know the details of these helmets but as I said I now have 2 helmets because I replaced the one not working and now it is working just fine. I leave my helmets sitting upright so the solar cell is in a position to get light on it but not usually near a window. Ambient light seems to be enough. I believe that light from welding flash also will recharge them as I have had a almost flat one (slow to darken), improve while welding. These helmets seem to be designed by the same people as those who design safety / sun glasses etc. They roll on their face as soon as you put them down. One thing I need to do is make up a suitable hook to sit them on when not in use and between welds.

At $75.00 you should get a long life if you do have to replace them, when compared to the price of the professional type units.

Dean

The battery is replacable... I replaced the one in mine, it is just not in a holder of any sort and the battery leads are actually spot welded to the battery.. The battery is just a generic large coin lithium type..

I made a battery holder for mine as I couldnt find replacement batteries with the correct PCB tabs.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/your-latest-project-121056/index36.html#post1523628

In hind sight I think I work use a holder anyway as taking that lens apart to replace the batteries is a fiddly job, so may as well only do that once.
Working just fine so far.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

I made a battery holder for mine as I couldnt find replacement batteries with the correct PCB tabs.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/your-latest-project-121056/index36.html#post1523628

In hind sight I think I work use a holder anyway as taking that lens apart to replace the batteries is a fiddly job, so may as well only do that once.
Working just fine so far.

Stuart

Cheers Stuart,

that's what I'll do when mine are flat.

Keith.