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Forum Index : Electronics : Solar Powered Welding Helmets
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Timbergetter Regular Member  Joined: 08/10/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
As many people here would know the Lincoln Electric company makes quality welding equipment including auto-darkening welding helmets. My 700G helmet is promoted as being solar powered. All electronics, solar panel and sensors are sealed inside a cassette that is intended to be not serviceable by the user. Of course I am trying to service the failed cassette. What I found inside are two coin batteries coded CR2342 (one is dead). I have not seen this particular battery before but it looks much like the ubiquitous lithium CR2032. Before opening up the cassette I had expected to find a rechargeable battery or two, but it appears that the included batteries are not rechargeable. I speculate that the power needs of the equipment is met with instantaneous collected solar generation and when that is insufficient, make-up power is provided by the Lithium cells. Does anyone have experience with these welding helmets that could confirm what I suspect is happening is in fact the case?  |
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| bob.steel Senior Member  Joined: 27/02/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 188 |
Indeed they are rechargeable usually .You can buy similar on ebay with tags attached and replace them . I have done so and recovered a dead helmet. The yellow plastic around the sides seems to be a give away but lately I ave obtained same with blue plastic outside too. Try recharging the dead cell first though . It may be that it has just got too low to accept charge . Use a variable power supply to put the voltage up to something like 5v for a couple of seconds first to start it accepting charge. Edited 2020-05-12 07:51 by bob.steel |
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| Timbergetter Regular Member Joined: 08/10/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
Many thanks Bob, you’ve put me on the right track. I did not know rechargeables were available in this package format. For the life of me I cannot find any specs on the CR-2342 manufactured by Newsun or anyone else. Do you recall what capacity cell you have used in the past for replacement. I will try to coax the dead cell back to life as you have suggested. |
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| Davo99 Guru  Joined: 03/06/2019 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1582 |
If the cells have gone flat, would it be a wise preventative maintence to put the helmets where they can get some decent ( indirect) sunlight to keep them topped up when not being used? |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6211 |
http://www.newsun.com.hk/battery-category/primary-button-series-cr-30v If it IS rechargeable, it should say so on the cell. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| Timbergetter Regular Member Joined: 08/10/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
The only description on the cells is “CR-2342 Newsun Lithium battery”. I guess the question now would be, is there any characteristic of an anonymous cell that can be measured to determine if it is rechargeable or not? |
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| bob.steel Senior Member Joined: 27/02/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 188 |
You put a voltage on it and stand back. I found that exact cell on yocart I think it was but it did not say .About $5 a piece but no solder tabs or plastic surround. Yocart link Looking at the listing you would assume they are not rechargeable but the helmet is solar powered ,usually meaning the sun and welding rays charge up the batteries in the helmet. As one poster said ,put it out in the sun and let it charge. I suspect though that the dead cell has gone down too far and will need a voltage boost before it will accept any charge. I could not find the listing I used on ebay for my rechargeable cells either . It was about 3 or 4 years ago now and I had a name change in that time and can't get the older purchase details . Probablly no longer using that cell. Look for alternative sizes . 2342 seems to mean 23 mm by 4.2 mm and 18650 means 18 mm x 65.0 mm I would probably replace it with this type Edited 2020-05-12 19:45 by bob.steel |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1667 |
Hi All, Long Time Since I've been here. Sort of went on a Home Assistant Tangent. What got me here was my Welding Helmet! Just cracked the Recalcitrant Open & am Seeing EXACTLY what's Picrured above. The Helmet is a Lincoln Viking with a 700G ADF Filter Module. Exact same PCB & Newsun Cells. Looks like Cr2342's are rare, as I'm finding almost Zero Search Hits. Could go with CR3032's, but based on the smaller size, I'd guess they'd have a shorter life. Cheers Phil. |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2407 |
Even if you can find the correct cells it may be cheaper to replace the whole module. Plenty to choose from on AliExpress & eBay. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1667 |
Looking at Complete Filter Modules. Even though I did jump for a new Helmet Yesterday. This Looks like a good option. Filter Module In particular the TrueColor Version which the new one has. A Step ahead of the older Green style. As far as battery's for the old one go, this is the easiest match CR3023's Probably won't last as long, but it's lasted 10 Years. Did just measure the 2 Cells. Bit surprised that one reads 3.1V while the other is just 1.4V. |
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| greybeard Senior Member Joined: 04/01/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 169 |
I was always under the impression that the purpose of the solar cell was to detect the arc flash and cause the lens to darken. As to it having a purpose of 'charging' a battery I'm doubtful. I've got a cheapo auto darkening helmet and (not having disassembled it) haven't noticed any circuitry or batteries. Just solar panels straight to the lcd lens. My thoughts are that the batteries above are not rechargeable but provide the power to the lcd lens and the solar panels are just arc detectors. |
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| Solar Mike Guru Joined: 08/02/2015 Location: New ZealandPosts: 1149 |
Most auto type welding helmets have a switch inside that turns off the power from the battery when welding isnt being performed, normally "Weld" or "Grinding"; both my 2 helmets turn off the battery when in the "Grinding" Mode and the lense stays clear. The battery is not rechargable. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1667 |
Yeah I do wonder if it actually does. My Lincoln Helmet, as per the above Photo has the Shade/Grind control with the switch Position. The Manual makes no mention of that knob turning it off. Pretty Contradictory actually, as the Specs Table in the Manual States:- Power Supply - Solar Cells - No batteries required. Power On/Off - Fully Automatic. My two problem ones DO have Batteries. My oldest Lincoln Ultra Shade is still fine & assume it truly is Solar Powered. Interestingly also, the New Unimig I bought a few days ago has 2 CR 2450's & still no power switch. All controls on an LCD Display, with the knob just being an encoder. Does have a Battery Indicator on the Screen & a Low Battery Led though. |
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