welding hood battery replacement?

[Esteban86K5]

I have a Hobart auto darkening hood and I guess I need to replace the battery on it. It works intermittently and it's killing my eyes. Anyone know how to crack them open to replace the battery? seems like it's sealed shut.

This is the hood I have.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/images/big_XLi-Black.jpg

And in case the mods think this isn't 4x tech, I need the hood to work on my new frame.

 

[Muddytazz]

Don't have have to take the complete auto-darkening lens assembly out of the helmet first then you can take the batt cover off?

 

[Esteban86K5]

I already did that but it seems like the 2 halves are sealed together. I don't want to pry at it and break it or not be able to put it back together. Only thing I can think of is that my hood is about 3 years old so it may not have that battery that can be replaced?

I'll take some pics of what I have to better explain it.

 

[dremu]

Many of them are sealed.

When mine started not auto-darkening the other month, I took it into the shop... guy said, well, three choices:

Buy a new darkening module. $130.

Buy a whole new helmet, we have a decent one for $100.

Or leave yours outside in the sun for a couple hours. It's supposed to recharge from the arc, but it may need a little help.

Lo and behold, sunlight did the trick.

-- A

 

[Esteban86K5]

I tried the sunlight and it works for a little while but it starts glitching after just a couple of hours of welding.

Here is what mine looks like.

I'm thinking that mine is older so the replacement battery was not available. I hate my old hood. It's so damn heavy and makes it hard to work when I have to constantly flip the hood or the lense up. I guess I'll be forking over some money for a new hood.

 

[Muddytazz]

I found HERE that the XLi series is a "2,000 hours, MIG
replaceable lithium no recharging "

 

[Muddytazz]

If you have to get a new helmet, go with a solar helmet that has batt BACK-UP

 

[Esteban86K5]

My hood is the Xl series so it should aso have the replaceable battery. That is where I found the info.
I guess I'll just wait untill Tuesday to call Hobart and ask them if the hoods from 3 years ago already had the replaceable batteries or not.