Filters, batteries, chargers, lens plates and small fittings for a powered-respirator welding helmet, and how to match the right part.
How do I know when the particle filter needs replacing?
Particle filters cannot be cleaned, so they are replaced rather than serviced. Common signs are harder breathing, a filter indicator or low-airflow alarm if your unit has one, a noticeably shorter battery run-time, or visible damage. Do not wait for the unit to struggle: a loaded filter also drains the battery faster.
How long a filter lasts depends on the fume and dust you work in, how heavily you use it and the maker's instructions, so check the manual for the replacement triggers for your unit. If an alarm sounds or the airflow drops, stop work and leave the fume area until the problem is fixed.
What does the pre-filter do, and is it worth changing more often than the main filter?
A pre-filter is a coarse layer that catches larger particles before they reach the main filter, which is meant to prolong the life of the main filter. In dusty or grinding work it loads up quickly, so it is normally changed more often than the main filter. Some makers suggest changing it on a regular schedule that depends on the work and the environment.
Pre-filters are usually non-woven material, so follow the manual for how to seat one so that it does not disturb the main filter seal. Fit the correct pre-filter type for your unit. An odour pre-filter is a different part and is only used for certain applications, so check what the manual says.
Can I wash or blow out a filter and use it again?
No. Respirator filters are not designed to be cleaned and re-used. Maker instructions for powered units say to replace a clogged filter and never to try to clean it, for example with compressed air, because washing, tapping or blowing it out can damage the filter material and make the protection worse.
If a filter is loaded, wet, damaged, past its shelf-life date or past the replacement point in the manual, fit a new one. Keep a note of when each filter was fitted so that nobody has to guess. Pre-filters are consumables too, so follow the manual for when to replace them rather than cleaning them.
What should I check on a battery and charger before ordering a replacement?
Batteries and chargers are matched to the unit, so start with the data plate or manual and the part number on the old battery or charger. Check the battery type and the connector as well as the voltage and charger details, because a charger designed for one battery chemistry should not be assumed to suit another.
Some battery types need a smart charger and cannot be left on charge indefinitely without damage. Use only a charger that the maker specifies for that battery. If you want to confirm the right pairing, our team can help you work it out from the part number.
How should I charge and store the battery to keep it working?
Follow the maker's charging and storage instructions for your battery type, because advice differs between makers and battery chemistries. For example, one maker's manual says to keep the charge at about half for long storage and to check it every few months, while other packs are meant to be stored on their own charger. Use only the charger the maker specifies, and keep batteries away from high temperatures, which can reduce capacity.
Before each shift, check that the battery is charged and undamaged, with no leaking, swelling or bulging, and that the run-time is still adequate. If run-time has dropped sharply, the battery is probably near the end of its life. Wipe a dirty pack with a damp cloth and never immerse it in water.
What are the inner protection plate and the outer lens, and when should each be replaced?
The outer cover lens faces the weld and takes the spatter. The inner plate sits behind the auto-darkening filter and protects it from the wearer's side. Both are consumables. Makers generally say to replace a cover lens that is spattered, scratched, cracked, pitted or too dirty to clean, and never to use the helmet without the outside cover lens fitted.
Pitting makes it harder to see the joint and can cause the filter to behave oddly. Replace them before they get that bad. They protect the filter behind them, so keep spares to hand.