How To Use ESAB Sentinel A50 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet?

Using the ESAB Sentinel A50 auto-darkening welding helmet can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve spent years working with different hoods, and the A50 is one of my favorites to date for its COMFORT and EASE OF USE.

Whether you’re a professional welder, this helmet can make a world of difference in your welding projects. In this article, I’ll share a detailed guide along with some tips on how to get the most out of your Sentinel A50, from adjusting the headgear to setting the auto-darkening feature just right.

By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle your next welding job with confidence. Let’s get started!

Step-By-Step Guide To Use ESAB Sentinel A50

After unboxing my Sentinel A50 welding helmet, I placed it on the flat, smooth surface of a table to avoid any damage. As I took it out of the box, I gave it a thorough INSPECTION. I checked for any cracks or scratches, especially on the curved amber outer lens, which can be prone to damage. Fortunately, there was none!

Flipping the helmet over, I looked inside and noticed the clear-tinted inner viewing lens behind the amber one, with the auto-darkening filter (ADF) neatly situated between them, along with the LCD control panel on the backside.

Thankfully, everything was in GOOD CONDITION. If there had been any signs of wear or damage, I would have immediately contacted Amazon for a replacement. Ensuring the welding hood is in perfect shape is essential before getting started. Simply follow the steps I mentioned.

When I unpacked my ESAB Sentinel A50 auto-darkening welding helmet, it was already assembled, so I just needed to put it on and fine-tune the headgear for a perfect fit. The 5-point Halo headgear is particularly impressive for its comfort and versatility.

Here’s how I customized the fit with this system:

Tight Or Loose: The Halo headgear is designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. If the helmet feels too snug, I can modify the circumference using the rear knob. It’s convenient to make this change while wearing the helmet, so there’s no need to take it off.

High Or Low: If the mask sits too high or low, I can reposition it utilizing the strap that crosses over the top of my head. This lets me set it at just the right height.

Once I’ve set the tightness and height, the front and rear headbands automatically conform to my HEAD SHAPE. I then test the fit by tilting and lifting the headgear to ensure it stays securely in place.

Near Or Far: The Halo headgear of this welding helmet also allows me to manage the distance between the hood and my face. By pressing and holding the lock latches on both sides, I can slide them to adjust the spacing, and then release the latches. It’s important to ensure the viewing lens is evenly positioned from my eyes to avoid any vision issues.

Tilt Angle: To find the best viewing angle, I use the knob on the right side of the helmet. Loosening it slightly lets me move the lever backward and forward until I find the ideal angle, after which I tighten it back up.

I was pleasantly surprised by the full padding on the headband. It’s thin yet firm and soft, making it COMFORTABLE even after long hours of use. I didn’t expect such premium padding, especially since brands like Miller, Lincoln, Speedglas, and Optrel don’t offer this level of comfort.

Before using this ESAB auto-darkening hood, I want to emphasize its versatility. The Sentinel A50 is suitable for a range of tasks, including plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, GMAW (MIG/MAG), plasma arc, GTAW (TIG), and SMAW/MMA (Stick) welding operations. However, it’s not intended for LASER welding.

Having used mine for various fabrication projects, I can attest to how versatile the A50 is in providing excellent protection and performance. Both Liam, one of my most skilled welders at the workshop, and I agree that TIG welders will find it particularly impressive.

Here’s what I’ve found to get the best performance out of this versatile welding helmet. Follow these steps-

1. Check the battery is in place and correctly installed – its positive side should be facing upwards. Learn more.
2. Activate the intuitive digital touchscreen control panel located on the inside of the hood (back side of the ADF) by short-pressing “DISPLAY”. You can also activate the control panel by long-pressing the external GRIND button on the upper right side of the shell.
3. Adjust the ADF shade, sensitivity, and delay controls easily using the touchscreen control panel.
   • SHADE SETTINGS
     • Touch “SHADE” on the screen, then the up and down triangles onscreen to set the shade number according to your welding or cutting tasks. The shade range for cutting mode is 5 to 8, while that for welding is 9 to 13. The shade for grind mode is fixed at 4.
   • SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT
     • Touch “SENSI” on the screen to modify the filter sensitivity of the ESAB Sentinel A50 welding helmet, and then, using the up and down triangles onscreen, increase or decrease the lens sensitivity (respectively) in response to the arc glare of different welding operations.
     • Sensitivity for welding and cutting modes ranges from level 0 to 10, while grind mode requires no sensitivity adjustment. For regular use, set the sensitivity around 5 for optimal experience. Although, it entirely depends on your working environment.
     • I recommend setting the sensitivity to the maximum at the start and gradually reducing it until I see that the ADF is only reacting to the arc light and not the ambient light conditions. This works for me conveniently, so you can also try it.
   • DELAY CONTROL
     • Touch “DELAY” on the screen to set the delay timer and then increase or decrease it using the up and down triangles displayed onscreen.
     • You can tune the delay timer from level 0 to 10 (0.1 to 1.0 second), to regulate the time taken by the ADF, to automatically turn light from dark tint.
     • Again, I recommend using a shorter delay time for spot welding operations and a longer delay for high amperage welds since the glare of the arc remains intense for a while, even after you stop welding.
     • I also prefer using higher delays for lower current TIG welding, as well as MIG/TIG/MAG pulse.
4. You can save these settings as presets by pressing the ‘MEMORY’ option on the touchscreen. This auto-darkening helmet comes with a one-of-a-kind memory setting to store 8 sets of pre-defined parameters for quick use later.
5. Once the adjustments are completed, you can wear it and start welding. The auto-darkening filter will automatically turn from light to dark shade (as per your preferred setting) as soon as you strike the welding arc.

I suggest using a soft, lint-free cloth to dust off your ESAB auto-darkening helmet gently. For the ADF cartridge surface, clean it carefully and regularly to ensure it stays in top condition. Here is a detailed guide on how to care for your hood properly.

However, avoid harsh cleaning solvents, as these can corrode essential parts of the helmet and potentially cause it to malfunction. By taking these precautions, you’ll help maintain the performance and longevity of the hood.

Pro Tips For Using This Welding Helmet

Before utilizing your brand-new ESAB Sentinel A50, be sure to check and validate the warranty paper.

Store your helmet in a cool, dry, and dark place. If you won’t be using it for an extended period, remember to remove the battery to preserve its life. (Learn more: welding hood batteries)

Avoid modifying any parts or the ADF unless it’s specifically approved in the user instruction manual, as unauthorized changes could void the warranty. Always utilize only the replacement parts specified in the manual.

Do not clean the ADF with liquids or immerse it in water. To clean the sensors and solar cells, use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with methylated spirit.

To use the GRIND mode, press the external grind button while keeping the helmet on. Press the button again to return to welding mode.

To change the front amber lens, press the semi-circle button on the right side to release and remove it. Insert the replacement lens from the side without pressing the button, then gently snap it into place around the button.

To replace the inner lens of this welding helmet, use your fingernail to gently flex it upwards from the space below the filter cartridge window. Place the new lens into position and push it down gently to secure it.

To change the ADF, lift the lock latches on both sides of the cartridge to release it from the helmet shell. Carefully position the replacement ADF cartridge and push the latches back down to lock it in place. The process is very similar to any other hood.

I hope you find this ready-reference post helpful for learning how to use your brand-new ESAB Sentinel A50 auto-darkening welding helmet. However, I am confident that next time, you can navigate it all by yourself without much help – using this hood is THAT easy.

Here is a fantastic video from ESAB featuring fabrication expert Ian Johnson, who explains the details of the A50—