Can no longer see pool when welding ?

[Penhook]

I am new to welding and trying to learn as I go so this may be a stupid question. At first I could see the pool when welding and just needed to practice more to get better weld. The last few times I have tried to weld I can not see the pool. I have changed sensitivity setting on the helmet but that does not seem to work. All I see is the arc and have to guess where the weld is going. Could this be a low battery in my helmet? I have a Hobart Inventer that I guess I have had about a year now. Thanks for any info because I have no idea if it is me or the helmet.

[Dale M.]

Probably not battery/helmet problem..... Check shade setting in hood, "sensitivity" is only how fast hood responds to arc (change in light intensity) .... Books say shade 10 to 13 for MIG, but you can go down to 9 or maybe even 8 if you are only an occasional welder...

Two thing that have helped me, is a cheater lens in hood (2 diopter), and flooding a lot of ambient (external) light onto work.... More ambient light makes the arc less intensive visually and illuminate's line better where you want your bead to run...

[MAC702]

... More ambient light makes the arc less intensive visually and illuminate's line better ...

This. Get some big work lights aimed at your work.

[Penhook]

Thanks for the advice and info on settings.

[JillJarrett]

Thanks for helping me out as well.