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Frequently Asked Questions
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1. How much chin movement is required to operate the lens?
The amount of chin movement is very minimal, I can best describe it by comparing it to a talking motion. To lock it open requires a little more movement. There are now over 100,000 helmets being used and jaw fatigue is not a problem, even in extreme piece work production welding situations.
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2. How durable is the Accu-Strike helmet?
The Accu-Strike helmet is very durable. It is made of polycarbonate, a high impact material, the same material used in bumpers and billy clubs.
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3. Where can I find replacement lenses and parts?
My company has been in business since 1985, I have a few distributors who carry my helmets and lenses, please call our 800 number for one near you. Or if you prefer go to our website order form. There are a few other companies selling lenses for the Accu-Strike but the lens material is a cast resin which break on impact, so be sure they are Cherokee brand lenses.
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4. What parts are covered under the two year warranty?
All parts are covered except the replacement lenses
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5. How long do the batteries last in the fan model?
Duracell batteries in the fan model last approx. 40 hours. Rechargeables last approx. 12 hours. The fan can be switched on and off easily.
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6. Can I later install the fan in my regular helmet?
No, the fan model is designed differently than the regular helmet.
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7. Is the Accu-Strike helmet safer then light activated helmets?
Yes, The long term affects of a lens that darkens after the light has passed through it are still undetermined. With the Accu-Strike the lens is down before the arc is struck, and after using the helmet a few times it becomes as automatic as opening & closing your eyes. Another big safety features is the option to grind by looking through a big 3 x 5 1/4 clear lens. In a fab shop you are going from welding to grinding all day. With a light activated helmet grinding is not an option or you have to fiddle with adjustments to get it to work. In addition its a struggle to see through the shaded green lens.
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PROPER ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY TO GET THIS HELMET TO WORK FOR YOU! This helmet will only work if it is properly adjusted. Once it's adjusted and you've had a chance to practice with it, we're sure you will love it. If you have trouble getting the visor to move the way you want it to, start over with the headgear fitting.
There are three adjustments to fit the headgear to your head: a horizontal headband to adjust the fit to the circumference of your head, a band over the top of the head (shortening this will raise the viewing window and lengthening this will lower the viewing window), and the chin strap (too tight and the visor won't come down all the way, too loose and you won't be able to raise the visor all the way).
To start the adjusting, first , give yourself some slack by opening the crank on the bottom of the chin cradle all the way, loosen the top strap, and loosen the horizontal band.
To adjust the circumference, put the front of the horizontal headband about one finger width above your eyebrow. The back of the strap should ride just below the horizontal ridge at the back of your skull. .When the horizontal band is in position, snug it by pushing in on the knob and turning it . When the fit is comfortable around the circumference of your head, take off the helmet and tighten the top strap so it takes about 1/2 of the weight of the helmet, and secure the top strap. You'll probably have to try it on a couple of times before you get the fit right.
You might want to remove the helmet by loosening the rear knob and tighten it again when you put it on - a really accurate fit every time is necessary for this helmet to work right.
Then tighten the knob on the bottom of the chinstrap until it's loose enough to let the visor come down all the way and tight enough for you to flip the visor all the way up so it stays.
After you have the headband, top strap and chin strap fitting the way you want, there are two adjustments to move the helmet relative to the headband: the pivot points and the four position stop, on each side of the helmet.
The four position stop ( next to the pivot points) changes the angle of the viewing window .
To move the four position stop, just pop the fan with four holes in it up off the silver rivet and rotate the fan to a different position.
For welding down in front of you, put the rivet in the front hole and the viewing window tilts down and forward. To weld overhead, put the rivet in the back hole, and the helmet will tilt back, and for welding in front, use one of the two middle holes in the four position stop.,
You can move the helmet fore and aft on the pivot points so the viewing window is closer to or further from your eyes, this probably won't be necessary, it will be set at the factory but in case you ever need to know, here's how to move the helmet fore and aft on the pivot points.
To move the pivot points, carefully remove the pivot nut, pivot bolt, and pivot bearing and four position stop, (noting how it comes apart so you can get it back together!) , and move the bracket on the bearing to a different set of slots in the headband, then reassemble. This adjustment may help if you use the 'reading glasses' in your visor and need to move them closer or farther to improve your focus.
Be aware that if you move the helmet too far back toward your face, and the helmet is tilted all the way forward with the four position stop, the bottom of the helmet may interfere with moving the chin strap down to raise the visor.
When the helmet is properly adjusted, the pressure will be even on the top strap and horizontal band, the chin strap will be snug on your chin with the visor closed, the visor will pop up and stay up easily, and the visor will drop readily to the closed position without banging. If the visor bangs loudly when it meets the helmet, or if you have to open your jaw uncomfortably wide to raise the visor, the chin strap is too loose. If the visor has a gap (light leak) at the bottom edge when closed, the chin strap is too tight.
Caution: when you are raising the visor, only open and close your jaw with an up and down pivoting motion, don't push your chin forward.If you have additional questions that I have not covered here please ask them by clicking Here . I will get back to you soon.
Click here for the
Cherokee Industries
1105 G St.
Ord, NE 68862
Ph. 308-728-3113
Fax 308-728-3481
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