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ARCCAPTAIN LY800J Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet: features and who it suits
An auto-darkening welding helmet with a 180° view, four sensors and grind, cut and weld modes. What the ARCCAPTAIN LY800J's shade numbers and specs mean.
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The ARCCAPTAIN LY800J is an auto-darkening welding helmet with a panoramic, 180° view: a central auto-darkening screen with a side window on each side. It is made for TIG, MIG and stick welding, plus grinding and cutting. Here is what its specifications mean, from shade numbers to the markings on the filter.
What the 180° view means
The total viewing area measures 3.94 x 7.06 inches (about 10 x 18 cm). The centre is a 3.94 x 3.66-inch auto-darkening filter, and on each side is a 3.94 x 1.70-inch window that does not auto-darken but stays at a fixed shade of DIN 5. The side windows give a wider view of the work area and your surroundings without lifting the helmet.
Because the side windows don't change shade, read the manual for how ARCCAPTAIN intends them to be used during welding.
Shade numbers explained
Welding filters are graded by shade number: the higher the number, the darker the filter. In its light state, this helmet sits at DIN 4, so you can see the work before you strike an arc or while grinding. When the sensors detect an arc, it darkens to the shade you have chosen. According to the product images, there are three modes: grind at DIN 4, cut at DIN 5-9 and weld at DIN 9-13.
The right shade depends on the process and the current you weld at, and shade charts in welding manuals give guidance. ARCCAPTAIN also lists DIN 16 ultraviolet and infrared filtering for the filter, and describes it as a 12-in-1 smart filter.
Optical class and the label markings
The filter has an optical class of 1/1/1/1. Under the EN379 standard, these four numbers grade optical clarity, light diffusion, how even the shade is across the lens, and how much the shade changes with viewing angle. In each, 1 is the top class.
According to the product images, the filter label is also marked EN379 CE, ANSI Z87.1 and CSA Z94.3. These are the European, US and Canadian standards for eye and face protection. If your workplace requires a particular standard, check the documentation that comes with the helmet.
Sensors, speed and adjustments
Four sensors detect the arc, and ARCCAPTAIN says the filter switches from light to dark in 1/25,000 of a second. More sensors generally help the filter react when one is blocked, for example by your hand or the workpiece.
External controls set the mode, the shade, the sensitivity and the delay. According to the product images, the delay sets how long the lens takes to return from dark to light, from 0.1 to 0.8 seconds, and sensitivity can be adjusted for different lighting conditions. The images also show a TEST button and a low-battery indicator on the filter.
Power, fit and materials
Two solar panels on the front work with two CR2450 lithium batteries on the back. The shell is made of PP (polypropylene), and ARCCAPTAIN lists an operating temperature range of -5 to 55°C (23 to 131°F) and a storage range of -20 to 70°C (-4 to 158°F).
The helmet is one size and adjustable. Larger knobs set the head size and tightness and can be turned while wearing gloves, and ARCCAPTAIN says the interior has been rearranged for a better fit during long sessions. The product images show replaceable inside and outside lens covers.
Who it suits
It suits hobby and working welders who switch between TIG, MIG and stick welding, grinding and cutting, and who want a wider view of the work area than a standard single-lens helmet offers.
What to check before you buy
- Shades: check that DIN 9-13 covers the processes and currents you use.
- Standards: confirm the markings meet any requirements at your workplace.
- Fit: consider how it works with any other protective gear you wear.
- Spares: find out where to get replacement lens covers and CR2450 batteries.
- The manual: read it before first use, and check the filter before each session.
The short version
- An auto-darkening welding helmet with a 180° view of 3.94 x 7.06 inches, including two DIN 5 side windows.
- Four sensors and a 1/25,000-second switching time.
- Grind (DIN 4), cut (DIN 5-9) and weld (DIN 9-13) modes, with adjustable delay and sensitivity.
- Optical class 1/1/1/1; the label is marked EN379, ANSI Z87.1 and CSA Z94.3.
- Solar panels plus two CR2450 batteries, with glove-friendly adjustment knobs.
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