Hood & welder

[moe1942]

I finally used my new MM175 and Big Window Elite this morning.
Words are inadequate to describe how pleased I am with both. Welded four 1 1/2 x 2 inch tabs to an engine mount. Got total penetration and perfect bead with one pass. Since I have less than 20 hours time with a MIG machine this is amazing.

I have to give a lot of credit to the hood. I only have experience with fixed shade or el cheapo auto's so I can't compare to the other auto darkening top end hoods. I will say that this is the first time I was actually in control because I could see what was going on. I wear tri focals and I had no problem at all. The hood is very comfortable, light and the viewing area is huge.

I thought I had a problem at first because the lens went from light to dark twice then stayed dark. I finally figured out that it was a sensitivity problem.

I welded with .024 solid wire and C25 set up per the door settings. This welder will have no problem with 1/4 inch steel and believe it will do 3/8 with two passes.

I give hood and welder five stars.


moe1942

[HAWK]

moe,

The light to dark transition is normal and will happen each time you turn the helmet on. Once it blinks twice it is ready to go. This should happen regardless of sensitivity.

[HAWK]

moe,

The MM175 is a nice unit. I'd like to have one to pull around the shop, but will have to wait. I am surprisd at the number of race teams that use them!

[DDA52]

Moe,
Glad you finally dried up enough to go out and play! Did you ever finish the Cub Cadet hood?

Don

[moe1942]

Hood & welder

Don,

No haven't finished the hood. Have some pretty wide gaps to fill in. Got some good tips from this forum. Have a piece of brass plate that I will use as a backing when I get to it. At least I know the MM175 is up to the task. What a sweet machine.

Since you have the Big Window Elite I have a question for you or anyone else. I've only used mine once but had to turn the sensitivity all the way down before the window would stay clear. Is there a potential problem here? I was under cover, not out in bright sunlight.

Also,I will send you a PM and give you a Bobcat update. Ran into a problem with the magnaloy couplings.

I hope y'all don't get any rain for awhile. You take some and then pass the rest on to us swamp rats... I need some relief. Have too much to do..

moe1942

[moe1942]

Hood

Hawk,

The worry I had with my hood was it stayed dark after cycling twice. It wouldn't go to clear until I turned the sensitivity all the way down. After I did that it worked great. AS I stated in my last post I was under a cover and it was an overcast day. If there is a potential problem I would like to work it early in the warranty period.

Thanks

moe1942

[timw]

If you are new to the auto hoods here's a tip for them. The hood I have has an area with the sensor on it that reacts to the arc when I start welding. If I try to weld and the sensor on the hood is partially blocked by something on what I'm welding it dosen't darken. The first time I thought the hood was going bad, but then I moved my head and it darkened. Hope this makes sense, what I'm trying to say is the sensor has to see the weld to darken.

[moe1942]

Hood

Timw,

One of the reasons for buying this hood was the large viewing area and multiple sensors. Shouldn't experience the problem you described with this hood.

My initial problem was just the opposite. It wouldn't lighten, until I turned the sensitivity all the way down, so I could see to start welding. After that it was a pleasure to use. Just throwing this out so those that have this hood can tell me if I have a problem developing.

Thanks

moe1942

[DDA52]

Moe
I haven't had that prob with my hood. I have the sensitivity about 40-50% more or less. It goes dark twice when I turn it on and when I turn it off and in clear state in between. When you say the sensitivity is all the way down, do you mean all the way to the low side? I first thought it sounded like you had it turned up too high. I'm not sure either. Esp. since I'm kinda new at this auto dark thing myself.

Don

[moe1942]

Hood

Thanks to all that replied.

Think my problem is now non existent. Ran all the adj knobs thru their travel a few times, set the delay and sensitivity to mid point. The viewing area stays light in bright sun light. I think it was a newness fluke.

I might have had the "high dollar expect the worst syndrome." Being a frugal German I may have been born with that trait.....

moe1942

[Tanner]

Re: Hood

Originally posted by moe1942

I might have had the "high dollar expect the worst syndrome." Being a frugal German I may have been born with that trait.....

moe1942

Haha! That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! Aahahaha, that's just really funny to me for some reason

[fun4now]

thanks for the ran the adj. knobs tip as i will be getting 1 next weel ill try that b4 i freek out with the same high doller geen lol.
eather way ill let all know if i needed to do the same thing. should at the verry least be a curiosity to you as well as some other new buyers