Question about my welding helmet - Lateral-g Forums

**scherp69** · #1 05-18-2010, 02:12 PM

I have a Miller Elite welding helmet, it's the inferno on this page: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...helmets/elite/ When I first got it, it worked great. I had to change the battery on it last year. When I'm using it, this morning for example, it's detects the weld like it's supposed to, and when I'm done welding and it turns off like it should, however I have a hard time focusing. I've never welded with anything other than this helmet so not sure what to compare to. Should it be that hard to focus my eyes after welding? I have the sensitivity setting set to a little more sensitive than where the arrow is and it's set to the darkest shade. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

OOCustoms · #2 05-18-2010, 09:18 PM

do you have the delay setting to a position where the weld can cool before it goes clear? bright welds being seen to quickly can hurt your eyse and possibly cause a focusing issue. i have the same helmet and dont have any issues re focusing. least not that i can think of. try bringing it down a shade or two, mabye the drastic change is affecting your eyes.....hope this helps a little.

**scherp69** · #3 05-18-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOCustoms

do you have the delay setting to a position where the weld can cool before it goes clear? bright welds being seen to quickly can hurt your eyse and possibly cause a focusing issue. i have the same helmet and dont have any issues re focusing. least not that i can think of. try bringing it down a shade or two, mabye the drastic change is affecting your eyes.....hope this helps a little.

Thanks..I'll give that a shot

**GregWeld** · #4 05-19-2010, 01:26 PM

Mike --

I'm old (LOL) -- and wear bifocals... and find that I have to use a far LIGHTER range than suggested in the welding books... if it calls for shade 10 I might use 7...

The focusing thing would bother me... are you 40 yet? I had to get glasses at 40...

Don't breathe the fumes -- and DO NOT CLEAN with any CHLORINATED product! If you use cleaners -- brake cleaner etc -- if they're chlorinated - it can kill you! Serious business here!

**GregWeld** · #5 05-19-2010, 01:28 PM

Corrected my error -- I meant brake CLEANER not fluid... I used to use chlorinated brake cleaner -- but the fumes from this are deadly.

JRouche · #6 05-19-2010, 09:47 PM

Just a thought but maybe its set too dark and you are having to strain to see the puddle. The eyes will accommodate, meaning if they have to, the muscles will try to contour the eyeball when you have a hard time seeing. Then when you get back into a normal environment they will relax but it takes time for that to happen. And longer with age. And that goes to the Q about yer age. Yes, around 40 years of age it takes longer for our eyes to refocus. This is coming from my eye doc.

I wouldnt worry about UV light, the helmet should be blocking all of it, even when off, the lens does that. And you will be able to tell if its too bright (not enough shade), it will just look to bright and you will have ghosting, like when you look at a bright light.. I think its an old timers focusing issue. Even if yer not that old.

Welding is a close up visual thing. Kinda like reading a book at 6-8" Try reading a book at seven inches for 30 minutes and see if yer eyes dont focus well and actually feel tired afterwards. Thats the muscles trying to accommodate.

I weld with my face about 8" off the puddle, thats far closer than I can read these days. My eyes would be tired and I would be squinting like gang busters. JR

The WidowMaker · #7 05-20-2010, 08:59 PM

my dad had the same problem until i showed him how to remove the protective plastic lense covers.

ive never had a problem with mine. my eyes adjust right away.

**scherp69** · #8 05-21-2010, 05:34 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I think I found the problem.

I went and got new batteries for the helmet and I ummmm think I ummmmm I had the batteries in upside down. I guess I'll find out if it's better next week. Thanks again for all your tips guys.

**GregWeld** · #9 05-21-2010, 07:26 AM

Mike --

Please check the bullets in your revolver... the pointy end faces away from you...

Glad you might have found the issue.

**scherp69** · #10 05-21-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Mike --

Please check the bullets in your revolver... the pointy end faces away from you...

Glad you might have found the issue.

Yeah yeah yeah. I know how the bullets go in. Leave me alone..lol. I'm just glad it was something easy, kind of stupid on my behalf, but an easy fix.