I forgot I was going to share a little story at my own expense....
I've had the Optrel for maybe 5 years.... picked it up to do some work and the dang thing wouldn't darken... so now I'm looking for a battery to change... can't find anything... so PO'd I head for AirGas... the guys there know me well... and I tuck my helmet under my arm and storm in there...and I'm already frustrated because it's messed up my afternoon (you guys know what I'm talking about here)... and I ask -- "hey guys... where the dang battery in this POS?!"....
Well.... the helmet is SOLAR POWERED... and hadn't seen sunlight since the day I brought it home. Pretty long lasting on "one charge" I'd say. I hadn't used it for a couple months maybe -- and she just finally gave up the ghost. Set it out in the sun for a few hours the next day and bingo.. all good to go.
I didn't ask and haven't researched - but TIG will give you a "sun burn" (ask me how I know?) so maybe if you just TIG enough and frequently enough - that will keep it charged up?
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