5 X 10 DD Coil for Xterra 705 ....... subject..... can it be submerged???

[wyobuck]

Moderator's note: I've changed the subject of this post due to the continued discrepancy involving the "waterproof vs water-resistence" of each X-Terra coil. As I mentioned a couple days ago, I've been in contact with the VP, North America and General Manager, Global Marketing, and he is confirming the product design recommendations at this time. Please be patient. HH Randy


Original Post:

5 X 10 DD Coil for Xterra 705 CAN BE SUBMERGED!!
wyobuck -- 09/16/2009 06:30PM

Yes, in contradiction of all that has been said here, the coil is water resistant as are all other coils for the 705. I have read all of the posts on the subject and was very impressed by the knowledge that is out there. But I needed to find out for sure. I called Minelab Vegas and spoke to Katrina who is Operations Manager. She stated that the 5 X 10 DD Coil is submersible up to 2 feet. She also said that Minelab will stand by the coil if it fails after being used in water. She chuckled when I told her about all of the controversy here. I mentioned that some were claiming certain Minelab coils to be water proof and that the 5 X 10 was only water resistant and to be used only on dry ground or in wet grass,.. she chuckled again and repeated that no coils were certified water proof and that all were water resistant. She wished me luck on my up coming expedition in and around the streams in the high Rockies. But I had one more question about the 6" DD. Of course it was about a protective cover. She told me that all 6" DD's come with one! So if you recently purchased a 6" DD and didn't get one, start calling.
Thanks to all of you that have posted so much info for us novices and I hope this clears up the water proof controversy once and for all.

 

[Digger]

As you indicated, we've discussed this matter several times. Seems Minelab's answer depends on who you talk to. As a field tester for each of the coils, I was told they were all waterproof except the 5 X 10 elliptical. Earlier this year, I was told by Bill Branin (lead tech) that the 9-inch and 10.5 inch were waterproof. But the elliptical and 6-inch were not. Like I say, it seems to depend on who you talk to.

However, if you look at the Minelab website, you will find the product overview for each X-Terra. On the 705, it indicates they are

 

[TURNMASTER]

Thanks wyobuck,
Just curious, I have the 5x10 HFDD and the 6'HF DD, bought the 5x10 good deal and thought I would do a little prospecting. I got the 6"FHDD for trash.
Why do you and others have that combo. And do you think they react differently.
And if so how much differently is the 10 HF DD?

To me the 5x10 seems more sensitive to the very small stuff and the 6" seems a little deeper.

My inexperience abounds but that how it seems to me.

Opinions welcome
Jeff

 

[David]

Thanks everyone, you may consider putting white colored "outdoor" SILICONE where the cable enters the coil on some kind of coils also. Some coils are hardwired and the cable sleeve cannot be removed and other kinds of coils the cable sleeve can be screwed off the coil.

Does anyone know, is the cable area the ONLY place that water has the potential to enter inside a coil ??

 

[Furious T]

Several months ago, after reading some posts on this forum, I contacted Minelab here in Australia and asked which coils were submersible and which weren't. I sent an email and received my reply from a person whom I would expect to know (not mentioning names), and was told that the only coils which were submersible were the 9" concentrics and the two 6" round coils....all others were water resistent only. Since then, I've approached water on that basis.

 

[nero_design]

Yes, in contradiction of all that has been said here, the coil is water resistant as are all other coils for the 705.

Water Resistant, but not waterproof.

She told me that all 6" DD's come with one! So if you recently purchased a 6" DD and didn't get one, start calling.

I've covered this in previous posts... see below..... Early releases of the 6" coils neglected to include a skid plate. This has been corrected.

T

... I hope this clears up the water proof controversy once and for all.

NO NO NO!!!!! I'm sorry to contradict you, wyobuck, but there's no controversy here... the issue has been determined a couple of years ago...as SEVERAL of the 10.5" coils have been ruined by people who mistakenly believed they were water proof and then immersed in creeks. The coils then failed completely. I do know of one chap (in the US) who used his under water in a creek without a problem but his experience was an exception and he did not repeat it. It is recommended to use boating silicone to fully seal this coil if submersion is desired. These coils are rated by Minelab as WATER RESISTANT. They are NOT "waterproof". The waterproof HF DD coil is the 6" variety which was actually designed to be immersed in water and is sealed for this purpose. That's the main selling point of the tiny 6" coil, that it can be used under water. All the coils can withstand light and medium rain. A splash with a wave is probably acceptable. All the coils come with skid plates except the early release of the 6" coils... those were released last year for people who didn't get one with their coil. The 10x5" DD HF coils always shipped with a skid plate (AKA coil cover).

I've already discussed the subject in detail with the manufacturer.
Feel free to call Katrina again and get her to reconsider her statement to you as I believe it to be is incorrect. I'm seeing a few incorrect statements coming from Vegas so perhaps they need to reconsider some of the comments they've been making of late. I can assure you that the 10x5" is not waterproof.

When the 10x5" DD coil is placed at a depth approaching 1.2 feet, the pressure is sufficient to force water in between the seals that the cable runs through when entering the coil housing. It is light because the internal cavity is not fully potted. This means water can enter the cavity and will cause the coil to fail permanently if it does. Furious T is correct... the 9" concentric coils are potted and sealed for beach use in water environments, along with the 6" coils.

I would strongly urge the OP to alter the title of this thread to avoid people damaging their 10x5" coils. The use of capital letters in such a thread title does nothing but proclaim the statement as fact.

Regards,

Marco

 

[Furious T]

Thanks Marco! I'm not always right, but here I felt I was on solid ground.

 

[Mtnmn]

Just to be on the safe side I use "Plumbing Goop" from Walmart to make my Minelab coils more waterproof. Just coat it around the area where the cable enters the coil and up and over the cable's strain relief coming out of the coil to where the cable itself begins. By doing so you'll not only make your coil more waterproof, but it will strenghten the area where your cable enters the coil itself and Plumbing Goop is pliable upon drying.

 

[wyobuck]

Well this is certainly a controversy! I am not making up anything I said, I am only telling readers what was told to me during my conversation with a company representative. Since there are contradicting statements made by other company representatives, Mine lab should clear this up here. I am not as experienced as many of you on here are and I am not here to argue. Katrina gave me some advice and I followed it. She told me that no coil is Water Proof and all are Water Resistant. If I use mine in water and it fails, she would take care of it. I did use it in streams between a few inches and maybe 2 feet. It worked perfectly and I had no problems. I did have a problem keeping the cover on the coil, but I think it was due to the cold weather. I put some electrical tape around the front and back ends to keep it on. Otherwise I was happy with its performance. It performed as many of you have described here so I won't add anything. Mtmn's advice on plumbers goop is good and I may apply some just to be safe. Katrina said that it is ok to do so however, she didn't say it was necessary