Another Helmet Question

[Deanomags]

A while back I picked up an Optrel Satellite on Ebay. It was used but appeared to be in very good condition and worked great for the first few months. Then it sat in a dark shop for about 3 weeks. When I went to use it again, it wouldn't darken when the arc was struck. I believe there are no batteries in this helmet. That it is strictly a solar powered device. Am I wrong in my assumptions?
Not knowing the internal workings of the darkening mechanism, I took it outside into direct sunlight where, when pointed at the sun, the helmet would darken. That made me think there might be somesort of power storage cell in the shielding mechanism.
Anyone with any information on this helmet or advice on fixing this problem, would really be appreciated. I like this helmet and would like to keep using it but not if it won't darken.
Thanks.

Dean

[Steved]

I am not 100% sure on this but....

From your description it may be a large capacitor or a small battery that is charged by the solar cells. That is why it worked when you went outside.

Try leaving it outside for 1/2 hour to charge up the 'battery' and try it after then.

If that does work then I would guess that the battery that you have in there is a rechargable type and has been through so many charge/discharge cycles that it cannot hold a proper charge. This is why it would not work after a short period of time in the dark.

The only way around that would be to find a replacement for the battery. If it comes to that let me know, I am not a good weldor yet but I am good with electronics. I could try to source out a replacement for you.

I hope this helps. Did you get it at a steal of a deal?

[Deanomags]

Thanks Steve. If there is somesort of battery connected with this thing then you will probably hear from me, shortly.

All the Optrel helmets seem to run in the $250 plus or minus a little, range. This helmet had been advertised with a minimum starting bid, but there were no bids when the time ran out. So....I sent the person a note asking if they wanted to sell the helmet for $125. I think it was my lucky day when they said, "Sure", so we did a deal.

I had to clean it because the user smoked but it is a sweet helmet. Really provides good protection. My only criticism is that on a hot day, if you start to perspire, it gets foggy real quick! I've seen a belt clip air supply for these things but when I priced it I had to sit down, it was so expensive! However, I don't want to give this beauty up 'cuz when it works, it works goood!

Dean

[klsm54]

I am not familiar with the current Optrel line, but I can tell you this, ALL electronic welding hoods have a battery of some type. Solar power will only power these hoods when there is a "storaage" device for the solar power. Your hood may have just lost it's charge from being in the dark for so long, or the battery may no longer hold a charge.

Some hoods have a simple replacement battery (AA or AAA), some have a replaceable , albiet more expensive, ni-cad rechargable battery. Then there are some hoods that have a battery sealed into the cartridge that are not meant to be replaced. You may wish to contact Optrel to find out your options with this model.

[fun4now]

solar cell

if this is your helmit (see link) then you have no battery to change and you need to let your helmit charge up after long periods in the dark.

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/detail.cfm&ID=421&SubCategory=113

that is what it seems but if you put the name of you r helmit in your ??? out front you may atract the right helmit users that could be of more help.

ie optrel sattilite trubble rather than another helmit ?
just a thought that might get the atention you need for a spacific helmit. good luck

[Paul Seaman]

Deanomags:
I have an idea about the problem of tha satelite fogging, at radio shack I saw some 1 or 1-1/2" fans that would fit inside a piece of pool tubing, stuff the fan inside the tube followed by the battery and a couple strips of velcro and I would think a little air flow across the face might help, maybe not but it should be cheap enough to try.

Just an idea!

[HAWK]

Deanomags,

I have an Optrel Satellite and have shelved it for several months in a dark cabinet while using the Miller Big Window Elite. When I tool it out it worked fine.

As far as I know the Satellite is a battery free 100% solar powered helmet. From what I have read these type helmets will "die" after a certain amount of usage. They do not have the life span of a solar assisted battery pack type hood.

[fun4now]

charge first

looks like you will have to take it out to charge wile you setup your work to weld . maby that will work for a wile till you can replace it or just remember to take your helmit out first that should give it time to charge but it sounds as though that will stop working sooner or later.
i would say enjoy it wile you can and start savimg for another and get 1 with a changable battery next time .
chalk it up to a lesson lerned thing. and check for battery option next time.
dont let it put you off auto helmits they are the bomb.

[Deanomags]

Thank you, one and all, for your inputs. Most disappointing to think my Optrel might be dying especially when the cost of a replacement darkening unit appears to be as much as a brand new helmet! I'm going to try to contact the mfg. Maybe they have some helpful info. or suggestions. Should I find something, I'll be sure and post it.

Dean