Hi guys, It's been a long time since I've been here. The other day I tried to turn on my Explorer XS and it wouldn't turn on. I cleaned the battery contacts and it turns on as soon as I put in the battery. Whenever I push the power button it says "Battery too low for reliable operation". I've tried it with fresh double A batteries and have the same issue. The screen is so faint that I have to use a flashlight to be able to read the error message. Does anyone know if there is a fix for this? I saw online that some have replaced the control panel for some problems and I read that there is a capacitor that fixes some problems. I'd rather not try a hit or miss approach unless that's all there is.. Also, do you think it's worth a repair attempt seeing that the machine is so old. It was one of the first ones when they were introduced. Up until this incident I haven't had any problems at all with the machine, I was looking at the Equinox 800 as a possible replacement what are your thoughts on that. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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Explorer XS wouldn't Turn On
- Thread starter Butch5
- Start date
IDXMonster
Well-known member
If it turns on when you put the battery in WITHOUT PUSHING THE POWER SWITCH, then it sounds like a control board/front control panel issue. If you’ve had success with the machine in the past and know it well, I’d repair it AND buy the 800. That way you have a backup to whichever one you’re using.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
Butch5 said:
I’ve had mine apart for a different reason but if you have good mechanical/fix stuff skills you’ll get through it no problem. Great to see you’re leaning toward repairing it. The newer Minelab machines are great, but the Explorers are truly their own animal. No “12 line correction” means the information, while needing keen skills to analyze sometimes, is more “raw”. There is more input and decision making necessary from the operator, which is good for some, not so good for others. Marvelous machines....
I've had it apart. I was looking inside to see if there was anything apparent that might be wrong. I really like the machine. I don't believe I've mastered it but I have had some good finds. I find that it does pretty good depth wise also. Anther reason I'd like to fix it is because I have the 14" WOT and the 5" Sunray coils for it also. I'm not familiar with the newer machines. Which is comparable to the Explorer? I was looking at the Equinox because it has the gold modes. I Live in Georgia where they had the first gold rush and I don't live far from where that took place. The Gold machines are probably out of my price range unless I decided to go serious for gold. My main interest has been old coins.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
Equinox 800 with Gold Mode at 40khz will cost you in the mid 700s. You can snorkel with it too! That would be your best “do it all” machine...and still have your Explorer for deep silver in the turf.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
If it’s there it’ll find it,as long as the sensitivity and recovery speed are optimized for the site. I found 2 Indians at a SOLID 9” with stock coil,so it’ll latch onto silver also. I still use the CTX most of the time for its ID capabilities,but if you dig a bit broader range the EQ can get them. Price and weight aside,for most it’s a very good performer. If tiny gold is part of your plan,from what I’ve seen I’d steer toward the 800.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
Butch5 said:
The advantages are that it has a lot of stuff! But the biggest advantage is Target ID ACCURACY AT DEPTH. It also is incredibly adept at finding coins in the same hole as nails, trash, etc. It’s a big leap financially for most. But it is the King of Coins....IMO. I’m only one person who has had unbelievable success with it. I’ll be using it as my main machine Jntil the end of time. If it croaks I’ll buy another until they’re all gone. It’s just THAT good. Again!....JMO.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
That’s odd Butch. I can’t say it’s battery contacts with the machine turning on by itself, so it has SOMETHING to do with how it powers up....but WHAT?....now I don’t know, sorry. It’s acting like something is partially shorted TO POWER. I say “partially” due to the type of error message coming up. And it has to be something on the processor side of the power switch, not in the battery supply or wiring. That’s about all I’ve got my friend...
HI IDX,
I called Minelab and a repair tech told me it may be a capacitor that has to do with start up. I saw a post on this on the internet. It said there was a capacitor on the start up board that goes bad.I've ordered the capacitor and will change it when it comes. The repair tech told me if I send it in they'd look at it.I'm just not sure it's worth it. With this taking apart and putting together trying to see what's wrong one of the pins that connect the boards has broken. i've soldered a wire between the boards to remedy this. In addition the plastic is cracking. The plastic has broken, i guess due to age, where the two top screws go into the housing..Somehow I'll have to fix this. If the capacitor fix works I'll do it. It's only a few dollars. However, I am considering another unit. My next question, if you don't mind, would be what are you thoughts on the different models? I've been reading reviews and forum threads. It seems that the Explorers are popular detectors. I've seen some that say the XS is the deepest seeking machine. Some say they are all similar. I was thinking of getting an SE PRO but have seen mixed reviews. The SE PRO can still be serviced. If I look for an XS there is only limit serve available. I'm wondering if the XS is really better than the SE PRO, and if so, is it enough to give up the availability of getting it serviced.
I called Minelab and a repair tech told me it may be a capacitor that has to do with start up. I saw a post on this on the internet. It said there was a capacitor on the start up board that goes bad.I've ordered the capacitor and will change it when it comes. The repair tech told me if I send it in they'd look at it.I'm just not sure it's worth it. With this taking apart and putting together trying to see what's wrong one of the pins that connect the boards has broken. i've soldered a wire between the boards to remedy this. In addition the plastic is cracking. The plastic has broken, i guess due to age, where the two top screws go into the housing..Somehow I'll have to fix this. If the capacitor fix works I'll do it. It's only a few dollars. However, I am considering another unit. My next question, if you don't mind, would be what are you thoughts on the different models? I've been reading reviews and forum threads. It seems that the Explorers are popular detectors. I've seen some that say the XS is the deepest seeking machine. Some say they are all similar. I was thinking of getting an SE PRO but have seen mixed reviews. The SE PRO can still be serviced. If I look for an XS there is only limit serve available. I'm wondering if the XS is really better than the SE PRO, and if so, is it enough to give up the availability of getting it serviced.
Willee - Texas
Well-known member
If I were you I would send the Explorer back to Minelab and see what their charge would be to refurbish it.
It is still a good detector and worth keeping if it can be made new for a reasonable cost.
If you are going to consider upgrading to a newer model I would go with the E-Trac.
It is the best detector of that series Minelab has made to date.
The Equinox is much lighter and a close second to the E-Trac but lacks the stability, depth, and ID ability.
It is still a good detector and worth keeping if it can be made new for a reasonable cost.
If you are going to consider upgrading to a newer model I would go with the E-Trac.
It is the best detector of that series Minelab has made to date.
The Equinox is much lighter and a close second to the E-Trac but lacks the stability, depth, and ID ability.
IDXMonster
Well-known member
I would have to agree with Willee in the first part....if you are really in tune with the XS have it rebuilt. As far as the second part, the CTX is where it’s at for ME. I have found the Equinox 800 to have potential, but it’s not going to “clean up” after my CTX with me running it in my sites. I currently run an Explorer2,CTX and Equinox. The CTX is my main and highest producing “deep old coin” machine. That being said, the CTX and etrac have many similarities.
Thanks Willie,
The tech said if it's the capacitor it would be about $30 plus shipping. That would be worth it if I could get the plastic issue fixed also. I was considering the Etrac also. From what I reading it's a bit different than the explorers. If it's as good then cool. It does take the explorer coils, correct?
The tech said if it's the capacitor it would be about $30 plus shipping. That would be worth it if I could get the plastic issue fixed also. I was considering the Etrac also. From what I reading it's a bit different than the explorers. If it's as good then cool. It does take the explorer coils, correct?
I'd love to go with the CTX. I've not done a whole lot of detecting in the last few years. I got really burned out on digging trash. Also, getting permission is difficult around here. I met another guy who detects and he wanted to go put that's how I found put the the Explorer didnt work. Of course not that it doesn't work I'm dying to go out. I do enjoy it a lot and want a good detecti. I'll look at the CTX and see what I can do.