How do you test an auto mask?

[jweaver]

I have just bought a SWP Auto mask, to replace my old one..

To be honest, the old one was fine, but the helmet was falling appear, even though the auto screen worked fine.

What I liked about it is that it was powered by AAAs, and used to be off (dark) by default.. You pressed a button to turn it on, where the screen would go clear.. But ultimately, if the battery failed or something went wrong it would "failsafe" and go dark.

My SWP is completely different.. Its always clear.. And it goes dark when you weld.. This just seems like an accident waiting to happen.. What if it doesn't react? What if the battery is flat or its broken..

How do you know?

Jon

 

[Badger1bear]

Look up at a strong light source such as a bulb or the sun (when it turns up)

 

[Wozzaaah]

I believe a TV remote will trigger some auto masks.

 

[langy]

I have just bought a SWP Auto mask, to replace my old one..

To be honest, the old one was fine, but the helmet was falling appear, even though the auto screen worked fine.

What I liked about it is that it was powered by AAAs, and used to be off (dark) by default.. You pressed a button to turn it on, where the screen would go clear.. But ultimately, if the battery failed or something went wrong it would "failsafe" and go dark.

My SWP is completely different.. Its always clear.. And it goes dark when you weld.. This just seems like an accident waiting to happen.. What if it doesn't react? What if the battery is flat or its broken..

How do you know?

Jon

You will know straightaway if it doesn't darken

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Nearly every mask stays light the whole time that I've used. Even if it does stay light when you arc up the this will do you no harm whatsoever apart from a bit of a dazzle for a few seconds as it's the UV that does the damage.

 

[pedrobedro]

Even in it's light state it will block the UV so you don't harm your eyes, you can only get dazzled which will not last for long. Great minds think alike ( fools seldom differ ) LMB beat me to it.

 

[zx9]

When clear they still block the UV, darkening just cuts the visible light. Viewing the arc with a undarkened auto mask will be uncomfortably bright but not damaging in the way viewing an arc with the naked eye would be.

Edit: out typed yet again.

 

[voipio]

Look through the mask at a bright source, such as a light bulb about an arm's length away, and wave your hands around in front of the sensors. That should trigger the mask to darken. If you stop waving your hands about, the chances are the lens will lighten again as it relies on the flickering of an arc to act as a trigger. Some auto-darkening masks are not very good with low current stable arcs, such as those obtained with a decent TIG welder.

Some masks rely on a rechargeable battery in the lens unit, and this may need to be charged by leaving it close to a bright light source for a while; several minutes, at least.

 

[ytre]

[/QUOTE]Some masks rely on a rechargeable battery in the lens unit, and this may need to be charged by leaving it close to a bright light source for a while; several minutes, at least.[/QUOTE]

I notice mine didn't darken today. It sits in a well lit garage, natural light, been ok for ages and this is the first it didn't darken. Can I replace the rechargeable lens.