Harbor Freight Welding Helmet Battery Replacement - Modification

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Check out a nice affordable YesWelder Helmet here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZOzlKWhopV9j5Y Check out more DIY welding related projects here - kzbin.info/aero/PLC_QVs9y_q3uh7Cu47IFvoEkyR4DJ6dHN

[@schultp]

Changed out my batteries with accessible battery cases. I had ordered a new helmet on Amazon only to find this video. Now, I have two functioning helmets. Thanks for the video.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Great to hear!

[@meuestilovivi2172]

I have the exact same HF helmet that has been sitting in the basement for a couple of years, got it out to do a small job and nothing. Followed your instructions and I'm back in business. Thanks!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are welcome, it should last you a few more years I hope.

[@tomjones2860]

I have (had) a dead HF welding helmet..too. Mine lasted about 10 years before it gave up.. I watched your video and thought to myself.. There is no way that will work... 5 minutes of a super easy solder job and 2 coin cells from my junk drawer and I can not believe it actually works. The ebay/amazon coil cell holder works perfectly.. Thanks for the tip on the ground wire.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Heck ya it works Tim! It works well and is still working. When it quits working I'll just change the batteries. LOL I'm glad it worked for you too! 👍👊

[@keatoncampbell820]

Pro welder here! UV is what can give you sunburn on your retinas, ie permanent blindness. IR is a little more subtle, it can cook your eye jelly. Lot of people with IR exposure from the still hot welds just after they finish end up with cataracts after a decade. I dont know any old welders, yall. Wear the PPE! And thank you for helping me fix my backup helmet

[@regularprojects4849]

Thank you for the video! I was able to bring my Harbor Freight welding helmet back to life. One thing I did differently was solder the wires to the back of the battery holders and then hot glue the battery holders in place after they were wired. This allowed for the batteries to slide in without being obstructed by the wires.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Excellent, nice job! 👍🏻

[@mortneff4674]

Great Idea! I did this with my Save Phace helmet that at got from a thrift store and found out way, the battery was dead and the person didn't want to pay for the screen replacement. I used the Button cell holder with the switch to tun it on and off but its an enclosed black one. Also got rechargeable batteries off Amazon along with a button cell re-charger! Thinking about putting out a video on replacing the battery but with a Button cell holder and rechargeable Button cells that I did on a Save Phace helmet!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Excellent!

[@stevewinter9978]

Thanks for clear instructions ... While waiting for the battery holders, had to get back to welding ... I was able to remove the tabs from the batteries with a razor blade and small ball pean hammer. Put the battery on edge, tab horizontal at the bottom, blade on the long edge of tab, three wraps and it popped right off ... Solder the tabs to the ends of the wires you installed, placed on new battery, piece of bicycle inner tube to cover, large paper clip to hold in place, duct tape to the inner top of the helmet ... Back in business

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you and AWESOME job on yours. You have a great mind for fixing with what you have on hand. I love it!!! Happy Welding 👍

[@bodeine454]

This seems like a great idea, I have the Harbor Freight helmet with the blue graphics, it's about 3 or 4 years old. Another interesting way to check to see if the helmet is working is to use a remote control, like a TV remote or one that has the little clear light bulb looking transmitter on the front of it. Just point it at your filter and tap on a button, I just used the on/off button and it works like a charm. 👍

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Very cool!

[@jamesromboldsr1852]

That was awesome. I was just wondering if I had to buy a new helmet. Thanks so much 👍. RAMBO

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Any time! I wish you the best.

[@donalddenney2954]

Went to use my Harbor Freight helmet and the screen wouldn't darken. Followed your video and installed installed external battery holders. Working again. Thanks for the video

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Great to hear Donald!

[@thisoldman7142]

Followed your buying guide and instructions and I’ve got my helmet back! Great video, Thank you.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Nice work! It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who likes to "fix" things and keep on using them instead of just tossing it and buying another. 👍😀👍

[@willloy8901]

You, sir, have a knack for fixin! And teachin! Very well done 👍

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you Will, I appreciate that!

[@davidhoward5586]

Nice job. I am all about repairing my tools and not just rushing out to buy a new one and throwing out the old one. If some one else made it then I can strip it and repair it. Most of the time lol.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you, I agree!

[@justsomeguy8385]

Nice. Looks like you can also buy the replacement batteries that have the feet on them, so you can solder the new ones to the circuit board. Not sure if I'm going to do that or use your approach when the time comes.

[@TheZaxx]

Awesome, helpful video. Did the mod, and surprisingly, it went pretty well.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Good to hear!

[@markhubanks3715]

Great video, I have to change out my batteries. Thank You !

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Glad to help

[@mikedaugharty5544]

Very good job there hey good fix you're the man

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you

[@MagaRickn]

Good video. Seems like the manufacturer could make a replacement part so we users don't have to go through this much trouble. ;)

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Great point!

[@markashlock9017]

Very cool. Didn’t know anything like that was available. Good job and thanks!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are welcome and thank you!

[@deltajohnny]

Great tip and very clear video! My HF welding helmet has died after 15 years, and a 2nd one that was new in its box as a spare also didn't work, so I have some work to do 😁😁 Thank you very much! 😉😉

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are welcome, I wish you the best with your project! 👍

[@deltajohnny]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 😉👍

[@deltajohnny]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 Hi again! Just to let you know that I have done it with one of the helmets, and it has worked perfectly 👏👏👏 It took me a little time to open it, and I used a Dremel tool with a disc. Instead of the button cell batteries I used 4 AA batteries, reusing a case from a led detector light, just so that I could use today the helmet to finish a project 👍 Following your instructions, it was easy! 😉😉 Thank you very much again, and keep up the good work 😁😁

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Excellent! I'm glad you were able to get your helmet up and running. Now it will be easy to just replace the batteries when needed. Thanks for stopping by and happy welding! 👍😀

[@deltajohnny]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 Thanks again, and happy holidsys! 😉😉👍👍

[@ICGedye]

Awsome, exactly what i was after - thanks to google what a click! And of course, a brilliantly made video!!!💯

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!

[@mdemers767]

I was always under the impression that the solar cell was not to "charge" the batteries, but to actually provide the juice to darken the glass, via the light it received from the welding arc, and the batteries are simply to run the UV sensors so that it has that "instant on" capability. Or maybe it's the other way around, with the batteries running the glass and solar cell running the UV sensors. Either way, I don't think the cell is charging the batteries, but I might be wrong. I know on later versions of the HF helmet, the potentiometer on the side of the helmet actually had an "off" setting incorporated into it, although they should have done a better job of labeling it as such. They simply called it "Grind", but you could definitely feel the knob click over a detent into that position, which is why I don't think the solar cell charges anything. I left my helmet in my dark garage nearly unused for about six years and everything was fine. Then did a bit of welding one day and forgot to click that knob back down to the "Grind" position. Came back out to use it maybe six weeks later and it had a very hard time darkening the lens. Six years in the off position = fine, six weeks in the on position = nearly dead. And no, I don't think that it chose that exact time for the batteries to die. Six years and six weeks seems a little too convenient.

[@Laugh1ngboy]

Yes and no the problem is the solar cells do not provide constant power. In fact it's the issue with all solar cells even the ones on your house. They can provide a steady voltage but occasionally they falter and the batteries just helped to steady them when that happens. It's not a problem for a calculator or a watch to use them alone but even those have a capacitor in them to hold a charge for a second when the solar cell fails.

[@crushrreviews]

Awesome video. I don’t need to replace my originals yet, but I’m definitely going to do this when the time comes. I’ve saved this video. Thx

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you Crusher! Have fun with your project :)

[@vanhap]

great video, very helpful

[@frankmarti8984]

Great idea I have a helmet I can save now thank you

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Glad I could help

[@juanmanuelcortez1098]

Thank You Very Much Sir Best video of All Awesome 👍🏽👍🏽

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are welcome Juan! Thanks for watching!

[@JeffZiegler76]

Thanks for the idea, nice fix.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

No problem 👍

[@SuperHurdman]

Living in the consumer world that we do! These company's aren't going to like this! Good job I am the same as you!

[@SuperHurdman]

I have two 1000 dollar helmets to do and a cheaper one! I was going to do what you did in your first modification but looking at this I think I will pick up some of those battery jackets and go this route! Thanks bud.

[@SuperHurdman]

I have been a welder for thirty years now and generally like to use a permanent dark lens but there are times when a person needs the auto darkening when doing specialty welding like removing broken manifold studs and things like that!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I agree, this method will make the battery replacement a breeze next time.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It just drives me crazy how most people just throw things away when they quit working and go buy another new item. I do like new stuff but there is really nothing wrong with this old hood. Now it's better than new and will continue to do it's job. I do like to tinker so that helps a lot too. :)

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You have about thirty years of experience over me. Ha Ha I have a lot to learn but heck, that's part of the fun for me. Have a great day!

[@pearlmax]

I think the batteries are rechargeable via the solar panel. A year ago mine didn't work after being in the box for a few years. Took it out today and it works again after being out of the box for awhile.

[@Bareass172]

I respect what you're doing, trying to keep a helmet in use instead of replacing it, but why not replace the button cells with AA or AAA cell holders/batteries? Very conveniently available, also makes 3V when two cells are in series. Could stick the holders inside the helmet instead of on the back of the lens. Just an opinion - keep up the good work!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

No real reason really. I did consider using AA batteries though. I just like the size and weight of the button cells. I also figured the original cells lasted me 5 years so I probably won't have to replace these for another 4 or 5 years. Good question! 👍

[@johnl7140]

Very cool

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you

[@sonofthunder.]

nice just opened mine up, batteries fell out, cr2330 so im not sure the were even soldered,was thinking just hold the tabs w foil tape, like used for a/c ducts,but i like what you did,...btw i did get a yeswelder true color large view m800 cut grind weld,havnt tried yet ,reviewers had both good n bad to say about,the headgear, and some said tig flashing,but others love it and you can upgrade the headgear ,fairly standard lincoln stuff,guess the tension knobs strip out real easy

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are going to like your YesWelder m800 hood I think. I have one too and I really like it. I did have some flashing with TIG but I discovered that if you turn the sensitivity all the way up it pretty much cures the flashing problem.

[@sonofthunder.]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 thanks man ,this old helmet i may have pried the tabs off the batteries,and just bought a newer harbor freight ,which is also old now,...you can buy a replacement auto darkening lens kit like 15 bucks, which is even easier,but i do like being to just have quik access to replace batteries if needed,i may see what i can do to fix 2 of these old ones up cheaply.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I get a kick out of fixing old stuff that most people would just throw away. I hope you can get them fixed up and working.

[@sonofthunder.]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 the unit you showed in your video ,has the shade adjustment thing that you epoxied or glued back on ,well i broke the 2 wires,took a chance w solder iron,and that foil tape, w 2x2032 batteries,a couple drops of super glue,....and it worked ,that helmet is over 15 yrs old,i guess its good to have back ups, only 2 sensors, yep fun to tinker,

[@danb.3397]

well done. Not sure I want to do that but I'm sure some will.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you. Some will and some wont but at least you know it's an option.

[@seahawksforever9504]

Genius! I plan on doing the same but for my new Titanium Harbor freight helmet. It has a removable coin battery but there is no on or off switch. I plan on just changing the mount to the one you use from Amazon with that button switch. Worst case scenario, I can wire to the outside of my helmet with two AA batteries wired in series to get 3v. Coin batteries are expensive! I have to use cr2045 and that is about $5 a battery if bought from the store! I never buy no name brand batteries online. They do not last and there's too many fakes.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Some good ideas there, good luck with your project.

[@seahawksforever9504]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 I bought a double AA battery holder from amazon 6 of them for about $7.57 after tax. Each AA battery is 1.5 volts so using two is 3 volts. You need to have two battery holders for each coin battery side. That's two AA holders and 4 batteries total. I love how it has an on/off switch now. I solder the positive to the side of the coin holder and negative on the bottom.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Sounds like you have configured a nice set up!

[@ronhanish]

i wrapped new battery just now in electrical tape :) seems to work fine

[@seanseoltoir]

Are the batteries wired in series or parallel? I have one of those helmets that has a few years on it and I think the battery(s) need replacing... Depending on the voltage, I was thinking of replacing it with a spare 18650 battery that I have around here... Actually, I wouldn't even mind if the solar cell would not charge the battery since I figure it would be easy enough to use an external charger on it...

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It's been quite a while since I did this modification. I'm thinking they are wired in series.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

seen ppl using cr232 batteries to replace these but are these not suppose to be special batteries made to be recharged or hold the charge from the solar cell?

[@MrBumbles2]

Well my batteries died, I soldiered in 1s lipo 500mah battery with ph2.0 connector. Just run 1 set of wires too each connection, then piece of velcro for battery on top of module. Works perfectly and easy recharge

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Excellent!

[@vulcanram1]

I appreciate you making this...especially using the battery mounts. I haven't seen anyone use those. I am going to attempt to do this. only question what is the wire size you are using.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I think it was 20 or 22 gauge. I think either one would work. Good luck with your project!

[@Nord3202]

What's the part number for the button cells. My helmet only works in the sunlight.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Duracell - 2032 3V Lithium Coin Battery amzn.to/2RbMTNI

[@benkalinowski5834]

When you changed the batterys do you need rechargeable lithium or reg engeriser I have a solar charging thing to Ty

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Hello Ben, sorry but I really don't know the answer to your question. I really don't know and can't seem to find out if the solar cell in these hoods actually recharges the battery or runs the auto darkening system and saves the battery power. I have read posts where some claim it recharges the battery and other posts where they claim it takes over for the battery when under the arc of the weld to make the battery last longer. So far I have just been using a standard battery without issues. Sorry I can't give you a more definite answer. I hope this helps a little.

[@benkalinowski5834]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 I got mine eBay 2 years ago 35 bucks And today i was out welding my floor in my car and my helmet was charged in the sun for a day and it only lasted 4 hours then died I had to stop I charged it for 1 hour in the sun But tomm I'm gonna get it in the sun again I thought they used cheap batteries It was called solar pro

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

So it sounds like yours does charge the batteries. Sounds like if you get new batteries in it you'll be in business. If you decide to get a new helmet in the future, I did a video on a YesWelder helmet I purchased 4 or 5 months ago. So far I'm pretty happy with and it was affordable. They make several models to choose from. I do still use my Harbor Freight helmet I did the mods on. I use it for stick welding and a spare incase I need it. I don't know if you are interested in watching that video but just incase I'll leave you a link here to make it easy to find. No worries if you have no interest, I'm not trying to pressure you and maybe you've already seen the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZOzlKWhopV9j5Y

[@benkalinowski5834]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 ty I just did

[@toddellis8103]

If you don't use rechargeable coin batteries and you have solar, the charging could possibly make batteries get hot and leak or explode?

[@jbarr3551]

I wonder if 2 -1.5volt tripple A batteries, wired in parallel wouldn't work?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

That would work fine. 👍

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

j barr - Actually you would need 4 - 1.5V AAA batteries. The two coin cell batteries are both 3V each totaling 6V.

[@jbarr3551]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 Correct, if the circuit is in wired series, I’ll have to check this. Thx

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Good thinking, I don't know if it's wired in series or parallel. 👍

[@oldowl4290]

Thanks for posting this! I have an old cheap Horror Fraught helmet that I bought almost 10 years ago when I started learning to weld and it’s dead. I was really disappointed to see how difficult it is to replace the batteries but thankfully it can be modded! My one question though… what batteries did you use?.?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

All the parts and batteries I used are listed in the video description.

[@cecilcooper6210]

CR 2335

[@amrikdhillon8862]

👍

[@bigronwaggles404]

Most people don't know that if you turn your hood to the grinding mode it will turn off your hood. Yes turn off the helmet. your helmet will last a lot longer. Mine has lasted over three years so far.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

That is true but this simple HF hood I made the modifications to does not even have a grind mode.

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... #83 ✝ {8-15-2022}

[@gianpaologazzola1234]

OK

[@lylejohnston4125]

Wish I knew a lighter would activate it instead of blinding myself testing!

[@1978garfield]

Non replaceable batteries will be illegal when I am supreme ruler of the universe.

[@georgesand4629]

If you've got this helmet. Amazon sells the darkening unit for $15. It's not worth going through all the trouble of doing all this.

[@piecetoyou8285]

The only trouble with this fixture, if one of them batteries decided to vent you can say good by to your eye sight never mind welding ark , At least apply some sort of protective cover so your eyes don`t take the full brunt, Think safety first lithium battery release a gas that ignites like a little flare,

[@dragonflye4561]

thinking of doing this my helmet finely died after 10 years

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Wow, 10 years is great! Maybe you can get another 10 years by doing this.

[@dragonflye4561]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 hears hoping right .

[@ARCSTREAMS]

or just hot glue the battery holders

[@porkerporker22]

I.m all for cheap fixes, but why not just buy a new complete lens unit from ebay, they start at around $9 £8 they just clip in ,as in the vid.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I didn't know about replacement lenses until well after making the mods. If it ever stops working again I'm going to get a replacement from YesWelder - yeswelder.com/?ref=DIYHP10%25. They sell a "True Color" lens that I really like! Just that alone has improved my welding in so many ways. Thanks for the tip!

[@Duckman2405]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 I own a YesWelder and buy a lot from them, but never seen replacement lens other than the M800H or Q800D. Even with the 15% coupons they send me the cost is more like $34 for the Q800D and not sure if it would fit. I'll have to measure the HF opening to see. In the meantime I was already down the path of pretty much doing what you did. Different snap closed battery holders with leads, switch, and will be mounting on the outside. This weekend's project if the holders show up today. BTW I found a Q800DA helmet on eBay for $69 with free shipping. The main thing I like about the HF helmet is I have never had any issues with the head gear where some people have complained about the YW's.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Very nice! I've been happy with the YW welding helmets but you are right, the headgear could be a little tougher. I've heard the Lincoln gear is a direct replacement so I'll give that a try the next time I need to replace one.

[@TheMonkdad]

These seem really dangerous. The only way you're going to know if the batteries are dead is by getting flashed?

[@REVY01]

Mate, repairing these lenses is extremely risky, just buy another lens, they're extremely cheap even someone living in poverty can buy one of these there that cheap and don't say some bullshit about you saying you don't want anything to go to waste into landfill because it's good for the environment, cause you know what's not good for you BLINDED EYES with huge cataracts from being flashed if the lens fails which seems likely because you pulled it apart in your garage so who knows how long it's lifespan is left, just throw the lens out and get another one. PS it's good advice you should follow just get rid of it.