Weld helmet guidance

[MeltedEVERYTHING]

HI all , new to the forum. Hope all are well
Got a question about my weld helmet
Its an autodarkening version. Not highly expensive (which may be part of hte probelm) but when I first bought it 3 years ago it was fine.
I admit I haven't done much welding but started up again recently only to find I am literally blind and CANNOT see aynthign of what I am doing...I can see everything fine when not welding htrough the glass, but when I start welding it darkens so much as to be practically black out.

I know there is a sensitivity dial but One end of the scale is PITCH black and I can barely see the weld light, and the opposite end is the ligher end where I can ON:Y see the weld and NONE of the material I am working on.

Is this normal?

DO I need SERIOSUYL Bright workshop lighting to compensate for this?
Is it the helmet is cheap and I should bin and pay more for better quality?
Is it possible that the glass has clouded deterioirated so as to be ineffective?

Anyone got any ideas ... ?

Any advice appreciated... thanks all

 

[carpenteire2009]

Have you checked the battery? My own auto darkening helmet is rarely used, but I do keep the solar panel on it uncovered so that it trickle charges the internal battery.

 

[Hugh M.]

Like yourself I do very little welding. My auto darkening helmet died as well. The battery wasn’t replaceable. I looked at various guides on replacing the unreplaceable. Mine was just too deeply buried within the circuitry.
In the end I got a new one from a supplier in Telford. The old one didn’t want to recharge. First feature on the list was an easily replaced battery. All I do now is take the battery cover off and put a new 3032 in. Easy.