AT Pro Acting Wierd

[DaveNV]

The last two trips out have been frustrating... Last week, I went to use my ATPro; when I tried to turn it on, nothing happened. I checked the batteries and found them dead. So, I went to the local KMart and bought new ones and off I went. I figured that I had forgotten to turn it off the last time I used it. Forward to today: In attempting to turn the dectector on, I again found the batteries were "toast." I know for a fact that I turned the machine off the last time I used it. Has anyone else encountere this problem? For now, I'm removing the battery pack; it's too expensive to have to install new batteries everytime I want to go detecting.

 

[leslie]

Dave, to turn off detector press and hold the MODE button for one ( 1 ) second until

you hear a second BEEP. ( Page 11 Users Manual ).

Hope this helps.

 

[coincutter]

are you sure you have all the polarities right? both batteries and stick, it's easy to get that out of sequence or flipped

try an ohm meter or otherwise test the batteries to be sure they really are toast.
are you making a good connection when you put the stick in

grant you the AT is a battery burner but if the screen is off it should be off

 

[Jerry-Wi]

You did not say how you determined that the batteries were "toast" other than the unit would not turn on the next day until you changed the batteries. So if you have tested the batteries with a volt meter or other tester and they are in fact dead, it probably means that there is residual current drain even when the unit powers down. If this is the case then a call to Garrett is in order because it will have to be sent it. However the suggestions that have already been given are good things to check. You do not want the inconvenience of sending it in unless you really have to.

Good Luck

Jerry

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks for the responses. Having used the detector for about 6 months, I'm fairly confident that I know how to power it down. I did insure the polarity was correct. As far as how I determined the batteries were dead, it would not turn on, even though I had installed new batteries a few days before. As soon as I put new ones in, it then turned on and operated normally. I'm going to try leaving the batteries in again. If they drain down while the machine is off, I guess I'll have to send it back to Garrett (again).

 

[GoGoGopher]

put a small sticker in the battery compartment...this way you will know if they replaced your box, or if they just replaced the board or parts inside...

HH,

 

[TerraDigger]

The batteries are prematurely draining. If batteries were inserted with reverse polarity it would be impossible for battery drain to happen. The problem is not improper battery insertion. Sounds like a shorting issue in the circuitry thats causing excessive power drain or the failure of a circuit in the voltage/power regulation.

 

[DaveNV]

Definitely something going bad, here. I put new batteries in for the third time and left them in the detector...same results. The ATP is going back to Garrett. The detector is a real performer, but it's wearing on me having to keep sending it off. Yeah, the warranty is great, but there is time and expense involved in returning the machine to its maker. Just a bit frustrated right now. If it weren't such a great machine, I'd certainly dump for something else!

 

[GoGoGopher]

Call Garret and ask for Sue...she should hook you up with a free shipping label...When I called them, they agreed to ship me a new coil and a free shipping label to return my defective coil (that now I do not think is defective...I think it is the detector)...

HH,