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Airstream helmet on ebay

Brian McInturff

Brian McInturff

Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
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I had to think hard about posting this. But thought it best to warn. There is an Airstream posted on eBay with a starting price of 99 cents. It's not mine and this is the 2nd time it's listed. I bought it the first time and returned it due to the seller not telling everything. It's missing the hard face shield which he mentions now. He doesn't mention anything about the battery and charger but shows them in the pictures. The battery is completely dead and won't take a charge(I tried with a new charger) and the charger is shot too. No current at the charging end. Just thought I'd warn those who may be looking at it some info he is leaving out. He leaves it vague by saying not tested. Even though I informed him what was wrong with it when I returned it. I had to dispute it through the resolution center to get my money back. Buyer beware!
 
Still might be a good buy if you get it cheap.

AlanZ came up with a battery replacement that he documented here on this forum http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=9320&highlight=Airstream+helmet . I followed his method and it has worked out great. When I did this in March of 2012 the Tekkion MP1860A was $62. It appears that battery has been discontinued. It looks like Amazon has a similar one a MP1820 that looks like it should work and if not it looks like there are other alternatives, most of which are less than $62.
looks like a new face shild can be had from Enviro Safety Products for $25. Considering the price for a new unit is over $850 someone might get a good deal here. Just my 2 cents.
 
I thought about doing that but it would require cutting the cord on the motor in the helmet. And if the motor doesn't work then it wouldn't be worth it. By the time you replace everything you'd be better off buying a new one or better yet waiting on another one. It's an AH1 and not the 4 also. Not sure if that really matters. I think it's a smaller motor than what's out now.
If you get it cheap enough it'd be good for a few extra parts though. The helmet looked to be in ok shape. Has some extra filters too.
 
David,

The 1820 does not work, as it is a 1.2amp unit, and it does not power the airstream. Any 2.1amp unit will do the trick.
 
As someone who is seriously shopping for an airstream and needs to save on full retail, I really appreciate the heads-up, Brian. Thank you, you may have saved me a lot of grief.
 
David, you can get a replacement face shield for $25, but I understood Brian to say that the hard frame for the faceshield is also missing and that would be a lot more than $25 if I am not mistaken.

EBay has gotten a lot more serious about cracking down on sellers like that one. If he goes through more than one dispute resolution on one item, they may decide to give him a permanent boot.
 
Airstream Helmet battery Conversion

AlanZ said:
David,

The 1820 does not work, as it is a 1.2amp unit, and it does not power the airstream. Any 2.1amp unit will do the trick.
Click to expand...

do you have any recommended 2.1 amp units to recommend? I'm still wanting to convert mine. It is nearly 30 years old and has been upgraded and rebuilt twice. I really want the lighter weight faster charging battery.
 
bowlman said:
do you have any recommended 2.1 amp units to recommend? I'm still wanting to convert mine. It is nearly 30 years old and has been upgraded and rebuilt twice. I really want the lighter weight faster charging battery.
Click to expand...

My battery is seven years old and I am holding my breath (figuratively for now, but anticipating that it may be literally in the not too distant future).

I am wondering what sort of life expectancy the lithium ion batteries might have. I just bought a Wacom tablet and its lithium ion battery has a life of two years -- and they say that the life is not determined by usage, but by the calendar. They caution not to let the battery charge get too low or else it will not be able to take a charge once that happens.

I also have some lithium ion batteries for my DSLR camera and my experience is that the batteries are good for about three years. While the 3M battery seems expensive, if I had to buy several sets of the smaller lithium ion batteries to have the same life as the nickel cadmium batteries, there might not actually be a price advantage. Also, it is not good to store lithium ion batteries for more than a month, but nickel cadmium batteries are not seriously impacted by long term storage. I don't know much about the life of nickel metal hydride batteries other than they are probably the best for both plenty of stored energy and longevity which I see as a good option. Some of the 3M units use NiMH batteries, but the Airstream uses a NiCad -- not that there is anything wrong with a NiCad if it does the job and lasts a long time -- which it does.
 
Bill,

FYI, the 3M VersaFlo respirators use Li-Ion batteries.

I think it's pretty safe to assume that lithium Ion is here to stay... Until something better comes along.
 
Yeah. I've had my Lithium Ion Bosch drill for over 4 years and the battery is still going strong. And the charge seems to last forever.
 
I have an AH1 and just tear the battry pack open and put in new Dcells. Buy them with solder tabs. I have been told a few of thebattery packs get bunged up getting them apart. But who cares. Cheap to rebuild. I also have been told there are battery rebuild places that are pretty inexpensive.
If the charger is shot they are not cheap either. Same with the motor.
 
Kelly,

I was considering rebuilding my Airstream/BreatheEasy batteries when it occurred to me that I could replace the 2lb NiCad with a 4oz lithium ion, and mount the new battery on the helmet, eliminating the cord going to the belt.

It's just something to consider... it's nice to have options.

For those who haven't seen it, there is a video on YouTube that shows what I've done.
 
Brian, I took a look at the posting. Its looks like a chip is out of the faceframe and that the comfort cushion that goes against your forehead is trashed. I know you were pissed enough to send it back but what do you remember about the condition of all the things like the webbing on the helmet inside? As a whole they are not cheap as I have replaced almost everything in mine at least once. And he wants a bit over $43 to ship. Seems steep. But for parts I may consider it. Your xtra 2cents please.
 
Kelly, yes the lithium ion batteries a re rechargeable.
 
Kelly, I hope the info I gave you over the phone helps. Blow up a few of the pics and you will see some of the issues like the paint potential in the motor, the frame looking deteriorated, and the battery/charger having age/plug replacement.
 
Brian, it was nice talking to you today. I have a problem with red green colors so will get my wife to take a look with me at the photos. A bargain is only a bargain if enough parts work. Thankyou for taking the time to chat with me about the helmet.
I am told a couple folks are now bidding on this item. I am not one of them at this point. My conversation with Brian raised red flags in a stiff breeze.
 
I cut the wires on the old pack, removed it and changed if over to a 4 AAs. By using 15 minute rechargeables (NiMH), I can cycle through the batteries when I need to . The downside is you have to open the filter box to change out the batteries. The NiMH are about 1.2V, so with the 4 of them, 4.8V DC

I put some Velcro on the battery holder so it doesn't flop around in the filter/battery box.
 

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KellyDunn said:
Steve, how old is your helmet? My fan is white. One of my fan motors is whining. Anyone know where to get one of those little motors?
Click to expand...

Its at least 10 years old. The fan whining may be that is is starting to come loose from the shaft. If thats is, you can put a dab of JB weld in it (of CA)
 
KellyDunn said:
Steve, how old is your helmet? My fan is white. One of my fan motors is whining. Anyone know where to get one of those little motors?
Click to expand...

The little motors use plain bronze bearings and no doubt the tiny amount of lubrication that was originally there is long gone. The hole most likely has worn larger and the shaft is a bit smaller. This, of course, means a bit of free play which means whining. About all that you can do at this point is to put a tiny dab of light grease (not oil) on it and tell it to quit whining. It may quit whining or it may just change its tune. 😀

BTW, since dust passes through the motor, the abrasive will contribute to the wear. Whenever you change filters it might help to blow the dust out of the motor.
 
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I am now using the original motor unit. I did buy the more powerful one. Thats the one making such a screach. Since I figured I had nothing to lose as the noise was hurtful I did pull it apart. It actually took lite gun oil as grease or heavier oils stopped all turning at all. Worked for about six months. Having to pull it apart every few weeks to add a tiny bit of oil. Did not work last time I tried so now it sits. The little tiny motor has to be made by some outfit.
My helmet is now starting on its 24th year. Its my Scotch, Irish, Jewish, Feringi nature I guess. But I do my best to take care of my tools. My wife says in her next life she wants to come back as one of my chainsaws. Most of the time she would be in the dark alone. But by God I work em hard. Clean up real good and often. When they are used. She should change her mind. But at least she thinks I take good care of my tools.
 
You could try hobby shops or search online for similar motors. As you know, 3M will be more than happy to sell you the whole motor assembly which means the motor, a little plastic fan blade, a plastic housing, the wire that runs to the battery, and a flimsy little grid that holds the even flimsier piece of foam that catches the large particles --for years, the whole assembly was $115. I suppose that it would have been smart to buy a spare given that little DC motors do wear out. A couple months ago I noticed that there had been a slight price increase. The current list price is $389.57. Now, I suppose that the new version must have some magic fairy dust that keeps it from wearing out and the motor wiring is probably is made of gold. At least, that would be my guess.
 
KellyDunn said:
...My helmet is now starting on its 24th year. Its my Scotch, Irish, Jewish, Feringi nature I guess...
Click to expand...

So I should rub your ears next time I see you ?🙂
 
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