I just refreshed a 10 year old helmet that's been in storage for 5 with your nifty little mod. It worked like a charm and the thing is operating like it's brand new! Thank you very much for the video/tip it is much appreciated! Cheers!
I have an Optrel Mira Plus with the same problem. I am glad today that manufaturers of auto-darkening helmets have now allowed for the batteries to be replaced easily.
Have this same hood and was about to toss it cause I was tired of having to set it out in the sun for 1/2 hour before every use. That white silicone was kind of a son of a gun to chip out... but now my hood is working as it should again! Thanks man! You are a saint for posting this vid. 👍👍👍
Following your footsteps right now, halfway there. Thank you very much. Edit: It was a success. Apparently, the LCD reacts very fast with fresh batteries installed. No more "blinded by the lights" issue, actually much better than at the time I bought it. I guess, even though it was new, the batteries were already weak.
Damn glad I found your vid!!!!! I just loaned my favorite hood to a buddy, it's a ESAB Sentinel. The only reason the ESAB is my favorite is because II bought it 8months ago. So I had to bust out my 6 year old Optrel. I've never had any problems wit it but the shade kept dropping out on me and I flashed my eyes about 5 or 6 times. I thought I was going to have to throw it away but then I found your vid!!! Thanks for putting that up
Thanks soo much! i literally picked up 2 of these free! some lady put them on the curb and said i could have them because they don't work! what a score!
I've had this model since 2006. I put it away in 2019 when I bought the Crystal 2.0 and haven't used it since. I brought it to my second job today, put it in the sun and it worked the rest of the night. Next day it was dead, so I followed your example and made the batteries replaceable. The 2.0 has replaceable batteries behind the controls, but the Panoramax do not. Optrel will replace the batteries for free, including shipping on the Panoramax for ONLY 3 years. 😢
Great tip. Worked very well for me. You do have to be careful and very, very, let me say that again very "patient" cutting open the case. I did not do as nice a job as Eddymatch 14 but it does work. My first attempt I used 2032 batteries (cus I had them), too thick and the clips holding the module into the helmet don't close well. After finding the 2320s and putting it all back together and leaving the helmet facing the lights to recharge the solar cells the helmet works likes it's was new. Saved my very good helmet thank you.
I've got an even older hood and I'm going to give this a shot!! Thanks so much and wish me luck. I guess I'll figure out what kind of batteries it takes when I open it up...
Good God, I wish I had have seen this video 9 years ago. I bought one of these things in October of 2006 for $731.00, which I thought was a rather hefty price fora welding helmet at the time, however, it seemed a very nice helmet. It lasted approx 2 years, then the 'batteries' (which I didn't know it had till I saw this video just now) went flat. I Googled it up and all I could glean from the Internet back then, was to stick it in direct sunlight for long periods of time, which incidentally didn't work. I ended up taking it back to the place where I purchased it from and they didn't want to know me but, suggested I take it to a certain guy who 'may' be able to fix it! I went to this guy's shop and he wasn't there, me (being an out-of-towner) left it at his door with my name and contact details and what was wrong with it, and never saw hide nor hair of it again! I'll never touch another Optrel that's for sure, nor will I ever shop again at Independent Welding Supplies in Dunedin New Zealand!
Hey mate, I fully understand your frustration, back when you brought your helmet, Optrel was owned by a safety company called Honeywell, ( a bit like 3M who own Speedglas) it was Honeywell who wanted the batteries inside the lens, in 2011 the family who originally owned Optrel brought the company back, all helmets now have replaceable batteries, and they even have the worlds 1st fully rechargeable helmet, independent welding would have been buying the helmets from Honeywell in Melbourne, Now all helmets sold in NZ are brought from Optrel who have a location in Nelson, the backup service is amazing, I’ve been using them now and it’s completely different to when Honeywell were in control, bad service by independent welding, but you can now go direct to Optrel if you have problems, 👍
Battery info...used Duracell DL2032. Could not get the same rechargeable ones right away. I keep the helmet in a bag so the regular batteries don't get recharged. And take them out completely for longer storage.
Good video. Were the original batteries rechargeable but not replaceable? I just bought 1 of these Optrel welding helmets on EBay for $50+shipping. It's working now but good 2 know if it dies I can cut it open to put in batteries. I'm thinking I'll use my Fein oscillating tool 2 get a clean cut without damaging the helmet or cutting myself.
You make it look so easy..... i had a very difficult time getting through the plastic, they must have used more epoxy on my hood. I destroyed the cut out piece getting into the batteries. Also, What number battery goes back in? anyways you saved me from having to purchase a new hood. Thanks
Don Billings Hi Don, it was a slow process for sure. I wasn't able to find rechargeable batteries around home. I used slightly smaller batteries...Duracell DL2032. I keep the helmet in a bag when not in use so the batteries don't get recharged. And take them out completely for longer storage.
CBR Motoman Hi, couldn't get my hands on the same rechargeable batteries. I used Duracell DL2032 which are slightly smaller. I keep the helmet in a bag so the regular batteries don't get recharged. Or take the out for longer storage. Cheers.
For anyone else trying to remove the knob. Twist counter clockwise while pulling on it. It turns approximately 3/4 a rotation past the lowest setting before releasing
Cutting is not all that easy, would work better if had a hot knife, once the outside plastic is removed there is another cover of rubber over the batteries. Removing the outside battery connection is time consuming but nothing compared to the other side of the battery. I am going to put the new batteries into independent wired holders with off/on switches, hopefully the need to mess with these in the future will be very little trouble as doing what s needed to get the old batteries out. The factory batteries are larger diameter than standard coin type that are bring sed for replacement.
@@eddymatch1435 thank's for your reply,,,I don't see a hem or border or any sign of there being anything on the corners,,,,not sure if there suppose to be some kind of outline to follow...
What kind of pathetic excuse for a human makes a battery operated helmet and doesn’t make the battery replaceable? I can’t even believe this helmet is made that way for how expensive it is. Just sad how greed is destroying the world. No one is winning. Even if they think they are.
I just refreshed a 10 year old helmet that's been in storage for 5 with your nifty little mod. It worked like a charm and the thing is operating like it's brand new! Thank you very much for the video/tip it is much appreciated! Cheers!
I have an Optrel Mira Plus with the same problem. I am glad today that manufaturers of auto-darkening helmets have now allowed for the batteries to be replaced easily.
Have this same hood and was about to toss it cause I was tired of having to set it out in the sun for 1/2 hour before every use. That white silicone was kind of a son of a gun to chip out... but now my hood is working as it should again! Thanks man! You are a saint for posting this vid. 👍👍👍
Following your footsteps right now, halfway there. Thank you very much.
Edit: It was a success. Apparently, the LCD reacts very fast with fresh batteries installed. No more "blinded by the lights" issue, actually much better than at the time I bought it. I guess, even though it was new, the batteries were already weak.
My pleasure!
You just saved my year. Had one hood stolen and after this hood was in storage it went dead. Thanks for the heads up!
Damn glad I found your vid!!!!! I just loaned my favorite hood to a buddy, it's a ESAB Sentinel. The only reason the ESAB is my favorite is because II bought it 8months ago. So I had to bust out my 6 year old Optrel. I've never had any problems wit it but the shade kept dropping out on me and I flashed my eyes about 5 or 6 times. I thought I was going to have to throw it away but then I found your vid!!! Thanks for putting that up
Thanks soo much! i literally picked up 2 of these free! some lady put them on the curb and said i could have them because they don't work! what a score!
Mark Filipe That is a score!!! Awesome, glad you caught my vid.
I've had this model since 2006. I put it away in 2019 when I bought the Crystal 2.0 and haven't used it since. I brought it to my second job today, put it in the sun and it worked the rest of the night. Next day it was dead, so I followed your example and made the batteries replaceable. The 2.0 has replaceable batteries behind the controls, but the Panoramax do not. Optrel will replace the batteries for free, including shipping on the Panoramax for ONLY 3 years. 😢
Thanks from Sweden😃 just did this on my dead helmet. Working again🙏🏻😃 I used 2016 because I had em already. Same thicknes but a little smaller.
Great tip. Worked very well for me. You do have to be careful and very, very, let me say that again very "patient" cutting open the case. I did not do as nice a job as Eddymatch 14 but it does work. My first attempt I used 2032 batteries (cus I had them), too thick and the clips holding the module into the helmet don't close well. After finding the 2320s and putting it all back together and leaving the helmet facing the lights to recharge the solar cells the helmet works likes it's was new. Saved my very good helmet thank you.
I've got an even older hood and I'm going to give this a shot!! Thanks so much and wish me luck. I guess I'll figure out what kind of batteries it takes when I open it up...
just saw the notes about what batteries I need, gonna try it tomorrow with 2030's...
Awesome! Hope it works.
Good God, I wish I had have seen this video 9 years ago. I bought one of these things in October of 2006 for $731.00, which I thought was a rather hefty price fora welding helmet at the time, however, it seemed a very nice helmet. It lasted approx 2 years, then the 'batteries' (which I didn't know it had till I saw this video just now) went flat. I Googled it up and all I could glean from the Internet back then, was to stick it in direct sunlight for long periods of time, which incidentally didn't work.
I ended up taking it back to the place where I purchased it from and they didn't want to know me but, suggested I take it to a certain guy who 'may' be able to fix it! I went to this guy's shop and he wasn't there, me (being an out-of-towner) left it at his door with my name and contact details and what was wrong with it, and never saw hide nor hair of it again!
I'll never touch another Optrel that's for sure, nor will I ever shop again at Independent Welding Supplies in Dunedin New Zealand!
Hey mate, I fully understand your frustration, back when you brought your helmet, Optrel was owned by a safety company called Honeywell, ( a bit like 3M who own Speedglas) it was Honeywell who wanted the batteries inside the lens, in 2011 the family who originally owned Optrel brought the company back, all helmets now have replaceable batteries, and they even have the worlds 1st fully rechargeable helmet, independent welding would have been buying the helmets from Honeywell in Melbourne, Now all helmets sold in NZ are brought from Optrel who have a location in Nelson, the backup service is amazing, I’ve been using them now and it’s completely different to when Honeywell were in control, bad service by independent welding, but you can now go direct to Optrel if you have problems, 👍
@@stevewigley4615 my optrel hood says right in it “Optrel by Uvex”
Thank you so much
Awesome!
Battery info...used Duracell DL2032. Could not get the same rechargeable ones right away. I keep the helmet in a bag so the regular batteries don't get recharged. And take them out completely for longer storage.
Maxell ML2032 Rechargeable 3V on amazon
Good video. Were the original batteries rechargeable but not replaceable? I just bought 1 of these Optrel welding helmets on EBay for $50+shipping. It's working now but good 2 know if it dies I can cut it open to put in batteries. I'm thinking I'll use my Fein oscillating tool 2 get a clean cut without damaging the helmet or cutting myself.
You make it look so easy..... i had a very difficult time getting through the plastic, they must have used more epoxy on my hood. I destroyed the cut out piece getting into the batteries. Also, What number battery goes back in? anyways you saved me from having to purchase a new hood. Thanks
Don Billings
Hi Don, it was a slow process for sure. I wasn't able to find rechargeable batteries around home. I used slightly smaller batteries...Duracell DL2032. I keep the helmet in a bag when not in use so the batteries don't get recharged. And take them out completely for longer storage.
What were the replacement batteries you used? Some more details on the actual battery replacement would be great.
CBR Motoman
Hi, couldn't get my hands on the same rechargeable batteries. I used Duracell DL2032 which are slightly smaller. I keep the helmet in a bag so the regular batteries don't get recharged. Or take the out for longer storage. Cheers.
great tip!
How did you replace the white stuff on the batteries?
I did not replace the white stuff at all.
How do you remove the shade knob? I feel like it’s going to break pulling on it
Push it sideways and then lift up.
Thanks. I will try
Doesn’t seem to want to come off. Afraid I will break it
For anyone else trying to remove the knob. Twist counter clockwise while pulling on it. It turns approximately 3/4 a rotation past the lowest setting before releasing
Anyone know if this works on a Panoramaxx CLT
Cutting is not all that easy, would work better if had a hot knife, once the outside plastic is removed there is another cover of rubber over the batteries. Removing the outside battery connection is time consuming but nothing compared to the other side of the battery.
I am going to put the new batteries into independent wired holders with off/on switches, hopefully the need to mess with these in the future will be very little trouble as doing what s needed to get the old batteries out. The factory batteries are larger diameter than standard coin type that are bring sed for replacement.
My don't have the cut out 1x2 corner part, is it cause is solar?? not sure how old it is, it was working fine now is not
Angel De la Cruz I cut the 1x2 corner part. The batteries are behind it. The helmet is solar powered but run on batteries that don’t last forever.
@@eddymatch1435 thank's for your reply,,,I don't see a hem or border or any sign of there being anything on the corners,,,,not sure if there suppose to be some kind of outline to follow...
Angel De la Cruz your welcome, I cut along the seem on the side of the cartridge. But used a ruler and measured out the 1x2 inch part.
@@eddymatch1435 You got it,,,will do, and I would guess, batteries are common, nothing special? Thank's
Angel De la Cruz I use type ‘2032’ rechargeable 👍🏻
спасибо большое за информацию
Дмитрий Ершов
пожалуйста
This is why i dont use optrel. Why not making them replaceable Optrel !!!! :P
all the helmets on the range since 2010 have fully replaceable batteries, and the new Panoramaxx is the worlds first fully rechargeable helmet
andrew knott i ques beter late then never :)
What kind of pathetic excuse for a human makes a battery operated helmet and doesn’t make the battery replaceable? I can’t even believe this helmet is made that way for how expensive it is. Just sad how greed is destroying the world. No one is winning. Even if they think they are.