BALDER BH3 Welding Helmet Instruction Manual

: June 13, 2024
: BALDER

BALDER BH3 Welding Helmet

BALDER BH3 Welding Helmet

For your protection and maximum efficiency, please read this information carefully before use.

BEFORE WELDING

Ensure that the helmet is correctly assembled and that it completely blocks any accidental light. In the front, light may enter the helmet only through the viewing area of the antidarkening welding filter.
Adjust the headgear to ensure maximum comfort and to provide the largest field of vision.
Select a suitable welding filter for the shield. Dimensions of the filter: 110×110 mm (see BALDER leaflet).
Check the prescribed shade level for your welding application and adjust your antidarkening filter accordingly (see the table with recommended shade levels).

PRECAUTIONS

Never place the helmet or the antidarkening welding filter on hot surface.
Scratched or damaged protection screens should be regularly replaced by original BALDER ones. Before using the new protection screen, make sure to remove any additional protection foil from both sides.
Use only BALDER BH3 within the temperature range of -10°C to +60°C.
Do not expose the antidarkening welding filter to liquids and protect it from dirt.
Use only original BALDER spare parts. In case of doubt, please contact your BALDER authorized dealer.
Failure to follow these instructions will invalidate the warranty. BALDER does not accept responsibility for any problems which may arise from applications other than welding, or if the instructions for use are not strictly followed. The BALDER BH3 welding helmet is manufactured to protect the welder’s face against spatters and hazardous ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted during the welding process. It is not intended to be used as a protection against impact, flying particles, molten metals, corrosive liquids or hazardous gases.
Materials which may come into contact with the wearer’s skin could cause allergic reactions to susceptible individuals.
Welding helmet worn over standard ophthalmic spectacles may transmit impact, thus create a hazard to the wearer.
If the helmet and the protection screen both do not carry the B marking, then only the S marking is valid.

STORAGE

When not in use the filter should be stored in a dry place within the temperature range of -20°C to +65°C. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 45°C may decrease the battery lifetime of the antidarkening welding filter. It is recommended to keep the solar cells of the antidarkening welding filter in the dark or not exposed to light during storage in order to maintain power down mode. This can be achieved by simply placing the filter face down on the storage shelf.

BMAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

It is always necessary to keep the solar cells and the light sensors of the antidarkening welding filter free of dust and spatters: cleaning can be done with a soft tissue or a cloth soaked in mild detergent (or alcohol). Never use aggressive solvents such as acetone. BALDER filters should always be protected from both sides by protection screens (polycarbonate or CR39), which should also be only cleaned with a soft tissue or cloth. If protection screens are in any way damaged, they must be immediately replaced.

WARRANTY

The warranty period of BALDER products is three years. Failure to follow these instructions may invalidates the warranty. BALDER does not accept responsibility for any problems, which may arise from applications other than welding.

H3 HELMET AND HEADGEAR ASSEMBLY
Insert screws (A) through the openings in the headgear (D). Insert the headgear (D) into the helmet shell (F) as shown in figure 1 and push the screws (A) through the rectangular openings in the helmet shell.
Put the tilt adjustment (B) on the right side between the screw (A) and helmet shell (F). Make sure that a small pin is fixed in one of the three holes in the helmet shell. Choose the right hole for your maximum comfort.
Tighten the nuts (C) on the screws (A). Before adequately tightening them, place the headgear at the most comfortable distance from the filter opening by adjusting the position of headgear within the two rectangular holes in the helmet shell.
The headgear size (D) can be adjusted by turning the rear wheel (E) in order to fit any head size. Press the wheel and hold it while turning, release the wheel when reaching the position of maximum comfort, so that it will lock in the required position.

The headgear is equipped with a replaceable sweatband. Sweatbands are available through your local dealer.

BH3 HELMET AND HARD HAT ASSEMBLY

/ BH3 HH – version of BH3 helmet with Safety cap concept /

If you have purchased the BH3 welding helmet in combination with hard hat, the Speedy Loop will be replacing the standard headgear. Please note that the holes in the helmet as well as bolts, nuts and washers are different from those of the standard headgear.

Insert screws (A) through the openings in the Speedy Loop (E).
Insert the Speedy Loop (E) into the helmet shell (F) as shown on figure 1 and push the screws (A) through the rectangular openings in the helmet shell.
Put the tilt adjustment part (B) on the right side between the Speedy loop (E) and the helmet shell (F). Make sure that a small pin is fixed in one of the four holes in the tilt adjustment part. Choose the right hole for your maximum comfort.
Tighten the nuts (D) and washers (C1, C2) on the screws (A).
Place the helmet with speedy loop over the hard hat as shown on figure 2. Left and right “click” will hold the position. If necessary, adjust the extent/diameter of Speedy Loop for optimum grip on the helmet. Adjust the distance from the face to the welding helmet by coordinated extension/ reduction of front and rear part of Speedy Loop in order to find the most comfortable position.
The headgear of the hard hat (G) can be adjusted by turning the rear wheel (H) in order to fit any head size. Press the wheel and hold it while turning, release the wheel when reaching the position of maximum comfort, so that it will lock in the required position.

AUTODARKENING WELDING FILTER AND PROTECTION SCREENS ASSEMBLY

/ Grand DS, Power DS /

Slide in the inner protection screen on the inner side of the antidarkening welding filter as shown in figure (1.).
From the external side of the helmet shell, insert the welding filter in the filter opening. Begin by inserting the filter at the bottom, so that it clicks in the bottom clip (2.a); then push in the top part so that it clicks into the top clip (2.b).
Insert the external protection screen into its position with four side holders. Hold the protection screen with your thumb and middle finger and place it on the side of your thumb into the slots of both side holders. The indent of the helmet shell provides the necessary space for your thumb (3.a). With your middle finger bend the protection screen and with the aid of the other fingers place it in both side slots (3.b).
Close the helmet shell with the external frame. Insert the bottom two pins in the lowest two openings of the helmet shell and push the top part of the frame into the helmet shell so that the two upper pins click in the pin openings on both sides (2x click) (4.).

/ Grand GDS, Grand ES, Power GDS, Power ES /

Slide in the inner protection screen on the inner side of the antidarkening welding filter as shown in figure (1.).
Gently fold the printed circuit board of the external control behind the filter so that it is positioned inside the helmet shell before you. Insert the filter in its opening. Begin by inserting the filter at the bottom, so that it clicks in the bottom clip (2.a); then push in the top part so that it clicks into the top clip (2.b).
Insert the external protection screen into its position with four side holders. Hold the protection screen with your thumb and middle finger and place it on the side of your thumb into the slots of both side holders. The indent of the helmet shell provides the necessary space for your thumb (3.a). With your middle finger bend the protection screen and with the aid of the other fingers place it in both side slots (3.b).
Close the helmet shell with the external frame. Insert the bottom two pins in the lowest two openings of the helmet shell and push the top part of the frame into the helmet shell so that the two upper pins click in the pin openings on both sides (2x click) (4.).
Insert the middle part of the external control housing in its opening on the exterior side of the helmet shell (5.).
Insert the electronic circuit board with potentiometers in the middle part of the external control housing (6.).
While pressing the electronic board, insert the 4 knobs to the potentiometers from the outside. Take care, that the knobs are inserted correctly. Check that the final position of the marks on the knob correspond to the printing on the external controls housing (7.).
Insert the external part of the external control housing so that it fits on the middle part of the external control housing (8.).
Place the internal part of the external control housing correctly on the middle part of the external control housing and fix it with four screws (9.).

PROTECTION SCREEN REPLACEMENT

Remove the external frame. From the internal side of the helmet shell squeeze the two pins towards each other, release the frame and slightly push it out (1.a), then rotate it to release the bottom two pins (1.b).
Hold the protection screen with your thumb and middle finger on the side extensions along the indents in the helmet shell intended for your fingers. Press on the protection screen to slightly bend it and remove it from the holder slots (2.).
Insert a new protection screen and close the cover as described in the previous section, under points 3 and 4.

During assembly of the helmet and welding filter, or during the replacement of the protection screens, make sure that all parts are firmly in place thus preventing any light from entering the helmet. Should there still be any light entering, repeat the procedure until the problem is eliminated, otherwise the helmet must not be used for welding. Before placing the new protection screens, always remove the protection layers from both sides.
Protection Screen Replacement

BH3 AIR HELMET ASSEMBLY

/ BH3 AIR – version of BH3 helmet with integrated air supply system for combination with Clean-air Power unit set /

If you have purchased the BH3 helmet in a combination with the integrated air supply system, the helmet will be additionally equiped with integrated airduct, hose connector and air grill. Balder does not except responsibility for the results of a service performed by anyone other than a Balder authorised service agent. Failure to follow this instructions may invalidate the warranty.

The BH3 AIR helmet assembly is similar as described in the section BH3 HELMET AND HEADGEAR ASSEMBLY. Besides some additional integrated parts, (airduct, hose connector and air grill), which are to be assembled by the manufacturer only, the BH3 AIR helmet has also a hose holder (X), face seal (Y) and a pair of washers (Z).

Hose holder (X) needs to be fixed onto the headgear (D) between the headgear (D) and the nut (C), as shown on figure 1. The hose holder is designed in a way to allow use on either side of the headgear, depending on the type of Clean-air power unit.

Face seal must be properly assembled with the BH3 AIR helmet. It’s position related to the helmet and the headgear is evident from figure No.1, while exact position related to the BH3 AIR helmet, airduct and hose holder is precisely described in the next section FACE SEAL REPLACEMENT.

Bh3 Air Helmet Assembly

WASHERS ASSEMBLY

In order to assure adequate sealing in the hood and meeting the safety standards, the BH3 AIR must be additionally equiped with a pair of washers. The washers are attached into the two upper inner pins of the external control frame.
washers Assembly

FACE SEAL REPLACEMENT

Both available versions of face seal (Standard and Flexi) have exactly the same plastic face seal holder, so the replacing procedure is the same for both. In order to be able to observe the details better, the assembly schemes will show the face seal holder without the face seal (fabric part).

Remove the headgear in the oposite order as described in the section BH3 HELMET AND HEADGEAR ASSEMBLY.
Pull the lower part of the face seal holder to release it from the airduct (1.).
Release the face seal holder from the two outside upper latches (2.).
Pull the face seal holder from the two inside upper latches (3.).
Take the new face seal and push the inner upper side of the face seal holder into the two upper inside latches (4.).
Push the outside upper part of the face seal holder into the two outside upper latches (5.).
Slide the lower part of the face seal holder into the gap between the helmet and airduct (6.).
Assemble the headgear as described in the section BH3 HELMET AND HEADGEAR ASSEMBLY.

MOUNTING OF THE HOSE

Screw in the hose of PAPR (hose comes with the Clean-air power unit set) as shown on the scheme. Adjust the length of the hose between the hose connector and the hose holder so you achieve the maximum comfort. We recommend this length to be 25-30 cm of non stretched hose, so the upper loop would not be too long, as the lenght should allow comfortable lifting of the helmet. It is recommended that the length of the hose from the hose connector to the Clean- air power unit is adjusted, so that the hose follows well the user’s back without being stretched. Once the hose is placed into the hose holder, adjust the height of the hose by simply pulling the hose trough the hose holder upward or downwards. Fine adjustment of shape of the loop can be achieved by turning the hose left or right.
Mounting Of The Hose

AUTODARKENING WELDING PROTECTION FILTER

OPERATION

BALDER auto darkening welding protection filters operate on the basis of a liquid crystal light shutter that protects the welder’s eyes against intense visible light emitted during the welding process. In combination with the permanent passive IR/UV filter, it protects against hazardous infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light. The protection against harmful radiation is present regardless of the shade level or potential malfunction of the filter, beyond the darkest shade number marked on each specific model.
BALDER auto darkening welding protection filters are manufactured according to EN 379 requirements and are CE, DIN as well as DIN Plus certified. They are not intended to be used as a protection against impacts, flying particles, molten metals, corrosive liquids or hazardous gases.
Replace potentional malfunctioned (check that the auto darkening filter turns dark if you strike the welding arc) or physically damaged auto darkening welding filter.

Protection screens, both internal and external (polycarbonate or CR39), must be used in conjunction with the auto darkening filter in order to protect it against permanent damage.

USAGE

An auto darkening welding protection filter built into a welding helmet is considered to be »Personal Protection Equipment« (PPE) protecting the eyes, face, ears and neck against direct and indirect hazardous light of the welding arc. In case that you have only bought a filter without the helmet, you need to select the appropriate helmet designed to be used in combination with an auto darkening welding protection filter. It has to allow the filter, including the internal and external protection screens, to be adequately mounted into the helmet. There should be no increased point tensions caused by the fixing frame or mounting system, as they could cause severe damage to the filter. Make sure that solar cells and photo-sensors are not covered by any part of the helmet, as this could prevent the proper operation of the filter. If any of these conditions occur, the filter may not be suitable for use.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

BALDER filters are suitable for all types of electro-welding: covered electrodes, MIG/MAG, TIG/ WIG, plasma welding, cutting and laser welding (only selected models with two shade ranges, i.e.6-8 and 9-13), except for gas welding.

FUNCTIONS

BALDER filters are supplied ready for use. Check the degree of required protection for specific welding procedure and if a certain model allows you, select the recommended shade, light sensitivity as well as opening time delay.
Shade adjustment: Some models (Power DS, Power ES, Grand DS, Grand ES) enable shade adjustment range from 9 to 13. Selected models Power GDS and Grand GDS have two shade ranges, i.e. 6-8 and 9-13. It can be adjusted by the knob »Range« which is located on the filter.
The external knob for shade adjustment has two shade ranges (6-8 and 9-13) marked in two different typefaces (positive and negative). The adjustment of the knob »Range« defines the range which is being used.
Adjustment of sensitivity: Most welding applications can be performed with welding light sensitivity set to maximum. The maximum sensitivity level is appropriate for low welding current work, TIG, or special applications. The welding light sensitivity has to be reduced only in some specific surrounding lighting conditions in order to avoid unwanted triggering. As a simple rule for optimum performance, it is recommended to set sensitivity to the maximum at the beginning and then gradually reduce it, until the filter reacts only to the welding light flashes and without annoying spurious triggering due to ambient light conditions (direct sun, intensive artificial light, neighboring welder’s arcs etc.).

Opening time delay adjustment: The opening time delay can be adjusted from 0.1 to 1.0 seconds. It is recommended to use a shorter delay with spot welding applications and a longer delay with applications using higher currents and longer welding intervals. Longer delay can also be used for low current TIG welding in order to prevent the filter opening when the light path to the sensors is temporarily obstructed by a hand, torch, etc.

Function welding/grinding (models Power GDS, Grand GDS only): For these filters, two modes of operation can be selected: welding or grinding. By selecting the position »Grind«, the filter switches off and it will not be triggered by the sparks generated during grinding. Before restarting welding work, the knob should be set back to the »Weld« position.

RECOMMENDED SHADE LEVELS FOR VARIOUS WELDING APPLICA- TIONS / EN 379 /

WELDING

PROCESS

| CURRENT IN AMPERES
---|---
6| 10| 15| 30| 40| 60| 70| 100| 125| 150| 175| 200| 225| 250| 300| 350| 400
MMA| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13
Grand GDS, Power GDS
| Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS
MAG| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12|
Grand GDS, Power GDS
| Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS
TIG| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13| 14
Grand GDS, Power GDS|
| Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS|
MIG heavy metals| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13
Grand GDS, Power GDS
Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS
MIG light metals Stainless, AI| 10| 11| 12| 13|
Grand GDS, Power GDS|
Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS|
Plasma cutting| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13|
Grand GDS, Power GDS|
Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS|
Micro plasma welding| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13
| Grand GDS, Power GDS
| Grand ES, Power ES, Grand DS, Power DS

LIGHT TRANSMISSION CURVE

Transmission

DESCRIPTION OF BALDER FILTER FEATURES

Solar cells
Photo-sensors (Photo diodes)
Filter housing
Liquid crystal shutter viewing area
Shade adjustment range selection
Welding or grinding selection
Shade adjustment
Sensitivity adjustment
Opening time delay adjustment

TECHNICAL DATA

Model	Grand GDS	Grand ES	Grand DS	Power GDS	Power ES	Power DS
Viewing area	96 x 68.5

| 96 x 68.5

| 96 x 46.5

Weight| 165 g| 160 g| 125 g| 150 g| 145 g| 110 g
Open state shade| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4
Closed state shade| 6-8 /

9-13

| 9-13| 9-13| 6-8 /

9-13

internal

| yes / external| yes / external| yes /

internal

Sensitivity adjustment| yes / external| yes / external| yes /

internal

| yes / external| yes / external| yes /

internal

Delay adjustment| yes / external| yes / external| yes /

internal

| yes / external| yes / external| yes /

internal

Grinding mode| yes / external| no| no| yes / external| no| no
Switching time at 23°C| 0.15 ms| 0.15 ms| 0.15 ms| 0.15 ms| 0.15 ms| 0.15 ms
Clearing time| 0.1 – 1.0 s| 0.1 – 1.0 s| 0.1 – 1.0 s| 0.1 – 1.0 s| 0.1 – 1.0 s| 0.1 – 1.0 s
UV/IR protection| UV16 / IR16| UV16 / IR16| UV16 / IR16| UV16 / IR16| UV16 / IR16| UV16 / IR16
Temperature range| -10°C /

+60°C

| -10°C /

+60°C

| -10°C /

+60°C

| -10°C /

+60°C

| -10°C /

+60°C

| -10°C /

+60°C

MARKINGS

BH3	Product name of the helmet shell
Grand GDS ADC plus	Product name of the antidarkening welding filter
4 / 6-8 / 9-13	4 – Protection shade number in open state

6-8 / 9-13 – Protection shade numbers in closed state

BL| Manufacturer identification code
1/1/1/1| Optical classes

(optical quality, light scattering, homogeneity, angular dependence)

EN 379| Number of the standard (antidarkening welding filter)
EN 175| Number of the standard (welding helmet)
EN 166| Number of the standard (welding helmet)
EN 12941| Number of the standard

(welding helmet combined with powered filtering devices)

EN 14594| Number of the standard

(welding helmet combined with compressed AIR breathing apparatus)

ANSI-Z87.1| Number of the standard (antidarkening welding filter)
S| Increased robustness
B| Medium energy impact resistance mark
| CE mark
DIN| Conformity symbol for DIN
DIN Plus| Conformity symbol for DIN Plus
| Instruction Manual
| The symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product may not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

Notified body for CE testing : DIN Carto, Alboin Strasse 56, D-12103 Berlin, 0196
Note: The above is an example

BALDER BH3 welding helmet is tested according to the EN 175 and EN 166 standards.

BALDER BH3 AIR welding helmet is tested according to the EN 12941 and EN 14594 standards. The certificates are only valid in combination with one of the following Clean air power unit sets: Clean-air Basic 2000 Dual flow, Clean-air Basic 2000 Flow control, Clean-air Chemical 2F Plus, Clean-air Chemical 3F Plus, Clean-air Pressure 2A resp., Clean-air Pressure Flow control 2A.