Many beginner welders I have met often need clarification about the role of BATTERIES in their auto-darkening welding helmets. Like any electronic device, the battery is at the core of the ESAB Sentinel A50 hood, but then what do its solar cells do? Can you charge them?
Don’t worry if you’re feeling confused—I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.
What Kind Of Battery Do You Need In Your ESAB Sentinel A50?
ESAB’s Sentinel A50 auto-darkening welding helmet runs on solar cells supplemented with a pair of CR2450 lithium coin batteries.
To help you relate better – welding helmet batteries are the same variant used to operate our car remote, door alarm, key fob, garage sensor, and several other electronic devices. They look like coins, and they are NOT RECHARGEABLE- you need to replace them when the power drains off.
Those coin batteries typically provide around 600 mAh of power. In my experience, they usually last about 9 to 10 months with extensive daily use. To ensure their longevity, I always remove the cells when I’m not using my mask regularly. When I forgot to take them out a few times, they lasted less than 6 months! You may relate to this with any electronic gadget.
So, yes, it’s crucial to remove them after each use, especially if you don’t plan to use your welding hood for a while. From my experience, CR2450 coin batteries can last up to 2 years when stored properly.
However, if you leave them in the helmet during extended periods of non-use, they may only last less than 3 months. When stored outside the ADF panel, these cells typically have a shelf life of about 5 years.
Remember, you’ll need a PAIR of batteries, unlike the single cell required in the Lincoln Viking 3350 and many other welding helmets.
Does Sentinel A50 Charge In The Sun?
Many of us assume that auto-darkening welding helmets can charge in the sun because they have photovoltaic (solar) cells. I used to think so myself, back before I considered myself a pro welder! However, with experience, I learned that it works differently. The ESAB Sentinel A50 helmet does not charge if left in sunlight. In fact, ESAB never mentioned any such things in the user manual.
When you wear the mask and start welding, the CR2450 batteries provide the initial power to activate it. Once you begin, the helmet’s 4 sensors capture ultraviolet (UV) rays from the arc, which ACTIVATE the solar cells to power the electronic circuit in the hood.
This process allows the automatic darkening filter (ADF) to adjust its light shade to your preferred darkness within 1/25,000th of a second (switching time). So, the solar cells in your Sentinel A50 use arc glare to power the electronics, rather than charging from sunlight!
So, Doesn’t The Helmet Power Up The Batteries In The ADF?
No, the helmet does not charge its batteries in the ADF module. The CR2450 button cells are not rechargeable; we need to replace them with new ones when they run low. You can check the current power level on the digital display panel of this helmet to see how much of it remains.
Once exposed to light, since the solar cells power up the electronics in the hood, they ensure the lithium batteries LAST LONGER. I find this design of auto-darkening welding masks very thoughtful and interesting.
Replacing The Battery In Sentinel A50 Helmet: When And How?
The most obvious sign that it’s time to replace the cells in your Sentinel A50 helmet is when the LCD control panel shows an almost empty battery symbol. Don’t wait until the power runs out completely—always keep spare CR2450 cells on hand and swap them out before the power level gets too low.
Apart from the most obvious indication, you might even need to consider changing the batteries if the ADF flickers or does not darken. This happened to me once, and even after cleaning the sensors, and adjusting the sensitivity, nothing seemed to solve the problem. Finally, I replaced the old cells with new ones, and the ADF started functioning PROPERLY.
So, when you finally have to change batteries in your ESAB Sentinel A50 welding hood, how do you do it? Here are the steps that I follow:
- Step 1: Locate the batteries; they are located inside the helmet in a small chamber connected to the ADF cartridge.
- Step 2: Detach the battery chamber or tray by unlatching it from the main panel.
- Step 3: Slide open the slot on the tray cover.
- Step 4: Take out the old cells and make sure to discard them right away.
- Step 5: Insert the new pair of CR2450 batteries. Make sure their surface is clean and dust-free, and they are positioned correctly in the slot.
- Step 6: Close the tray slot and reattach the chamber back to the main panel. Your auto-darkening helmet is ready to use safely with new cells.
Once you complete these six simple steps, check the touchscreen panel’s battery level indicator and confirm that the ADF is functioning as expected.
In conclusion, weak or dead cells can lead to ADF failure, exposing your eyes to the harmful glare of arc light and risking permanent damage. To protect your vision and maintain optimal performance with your ESAB Sentinel A50 welding helmet, it’s essential to understand the battery and charging system—and to know exactly when a replacement is due.
