When I first started using my Lincoln Viking 3350 welding helmet, I became engrossed in its many interesting features and completely ignored its battery replacement procedure. When its power eventually died, I began researching how to replace it.
After trying and testing several techniques, I found that changing the battery in this welding helmet is not complicated at all. However, if you are unfamiliar with the process, I will explain everything here.
Precautions
The auto-darkening filter in your Lincoln Viking 3350 auto-darkening helmet is powered by both solar cells (works on striking the arc) and a replaceable coin cell.
When you know the PROCEDURE, you can easily change this battery on your own instead of taking it to a store or depending on a professional to help you out. However, if you keep the following precautions in mind, the process will go smoothly and safely.
Make sure to use a CR2450 Lithium coin battery and nothing else – this is the only type of cell permitted for a Lincoln Viking 3350 welding helmet.
Before changing the battery, I recommend checking whether the LOW BATTERY warning light is glowing red. This is the most obvious sign that it is time to change it.
Always place your helmet on a flat and wide surface like a table before replacing the battery. This helps prevent damaging or breaking the lens due to accidental slippage.
Make sure to check the positive and negative sides of the battery and correctly place it.
These precautions will help optimize the performance of your welding hood and maximize battery longevity, thereby ensuring effectiveness and safety during work. If you want to learn more about welding helmet batteries, here is a detailed guide.
Step-by-step Guide To Change The Battery Of Lincoln Viking 3350 Welding Helmet
Once we are armed with the precautions, it is time to find out how we can change the battery of the welding shield.
You do not need anything apart from your bare hands and a new button-cell Lithium-ion cell of type CR2450 to get started. Once you have the new battery, just follow the steps mentioned below.
- Check the cartridge of the auto-darkening filter of your Lincoln 3350 hood. The battery is located towards the bottom right corner of this cartridge.
- Locate and detach the grinding cord that plugs into the external grind button. You do not have to remove it from the cartridge completely; let it trail for some time while you replace the battery.
- Take out the filter cartridge by squeezing the two lock notches present at the bottom of its casing to disconnect and release it from the helmet.
- Then, pop out the filter’s cartridge from its casing by gently pushing downward on the top of the casing and pushing upwards at the back of the cartridge at the same time.
- Turn the inside face of the cartridge towards you; check its bottom right corner to find a ridged panel where the battery is present.
- Push the ridge downward and swing out the little paneled door to reveal the cell and take it out.
- Take the new battery and insert it correctly by checking its positive and negative ends or sides.
- Once you insert the fresh power unit, close the panel of the welding helmet.
- Take the trailing grind cord and feed it through the hole to connect it back to the external grind button.
- Insert the auto-dark filter cartridge back into its casing and install it back inside the hood.
- Again, push the lock notches back in their place, securely locking in and holding the cartridge tightly in its position.
- Your Lincoln Viking 3350 helmet is ready to use with the newly replaced battery.
It should take hardly 2 to 3 minutes to change the battery by following the steps I have mentioned above. You can see for yourself how STRAIGHTFORWARD the whole process is, and you need no extra technical knowledge to do this yourself.
After putting in the new battery, make sure to test it by pressing the TEST button on your welding helmet. If the filter turns dark after pressing the button, you are good to go! Now, check the shade/sensitivity settings, adjust according to your requirements, and start welding.
However, if the filter does not turn dark, gently adjust the contact points of the cell and test your helmet again. If that also does not help, it might indicate that the new battery is faulty or the ADF isn’t working. In that case, you have to replace that as well.
You can also watch this YouTube video for a quick guide:
Pro Tips
You are now very much capable of quickly replacing the battery like a professional. But there are a few more tips that I would like to share with you so that you can make the MOST of your Lincoln Viking 3350 welding hood.
The low battery indicator turns on when only 2 to 3 days of power life remain, so change it as soon as you can instead of waiting.
Clean the surface of the new cell with a lint-free soft fabric before inserting it into the cartridge.
Never submerge the auto-darkening filter cartridge in water or any other liquid or cleansing solution. Learn more: welding helmet care.
Make sure to use only the type of battery specified in the user manual (CR2450) of your Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 auto-darkening welding helmet and nothing else.
Do not use it if the battery malfunctions even slightly – you will only end up compromising your safety and eye health just to save some time.
After installing the filter back inside your helmet, make sure it is properly fitted and not loose. If the viewing lens wobbles, it may create problems with your vision and cause damage to your eyes.
While we can never be sure when the battery is about to die, we can definitely ensure that it does not impact or slow down our work. That is why it is crucial to know how to change the battery of your Lincoln Viking 3350 hood, whether you are a novice or a professional welder. So, I hope you find this post useful. Happy welding!
