First ATP electrical interference issue...

[controlfreq]

I hope (I think...) Had just started working a section of beach when the unit (ATP) started going bonkers. Checked all the connections, changed coils, checked the connections, unplugged the coil, put it back, checked the connections, but unit still showed no change. When I changed the mode setting to STD the erratic noise stopped. I finally gave up, (have not found a good use for STD mode yet) switched to the Infinium and moved to a less trashy spot in the same area. What ever was bothering the ATP had no noticeable affect on the ILS. Changing the frequency settings on ATP also had no affect. The closest power lines were about 75 yards away and just normal light poles. Odd part is I have hunted that area with the ATP before and did not have any problems. The unit was making all sorts of erratic noise and the depth scale was all over the place; didn't really matter if it was on the ground or in the air. I tried the ATP again when I got back to the condo and it had quietened down back to normal.

 

[grumpysrb]

Must have been something nearby that was before.

 

[Steve Keppel]

I've had that problem once in a long while: erratic in "PRO", ok in Standard. Found out that just loosening the batterry door and resetting the battery holder worked every time. Good luck! Steve Keppel

 

[controlfreq]

Apparently I was mistaken, I tried it again next morning in the daylight before we left and it was still doing the same thing; Steve, I tried your solution too and still no change. (Anyone know where I can find an over sized Faraday cage?) If I lower the sensitivity down two or three notches it will settle down. I am back home now from vacation and have underground power lines running all around the house along with transmission towers half mile away. I was hoping to take it back up to the desolate part of the beach (as in miles from civilization) before we left and see what happens there, but weather was starting to get too us...

I don't recall this happening before at the house when I air test it. Just how far from power lines does it have to be not to pick up the interference?

 

[MikeLab]

Did you check the battery? If it is still doing it, you have a problem. I hit some interference when I was near a malfunctioning street light, but never around the house. I can't imagine both coils are damaged, but if they are cracked and leak water inside, it will cause this type of problem. Hope you aren't using the lithium batteries.

 

[controlfreq]

... nothing seemed to work. I called Garrett and the lady I talked to said to bring it over. The technician came out, looked at it, then said it as acting oddly. He asked me if I knew about the reset. Told him I know about the reset, but it never occurred to me to use it. He reset it and everything was back to normal. He said it was usually a good idea to reset it each time I change coils. Good news is it was only a little over a half hour trip over there and I got to see the museum again. (There was also a ATX on display in there; something I don't need to be looking at...)

Once again "Hats Off" to Garrett customer service.

... and the word for today is; RESET!"

Thanks to all!

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

MANY THANKS, Les Robinson.

 

[controlfreq]

Les: I'm glad this helped you and hopefully some others as well. As the bumper sticker says: "I've learned so much from my past mistakes, I'm going to go make some more..."

 

[grumpysrb]

Hope that is a permanent fix. My ATP slowly began to act erratic over months, becoming worse and worse. I did everything and called Garrett , who had me do everything again. I ended up sending it in. They reloaded the software and returned it. It has worked fine since.

 

[fongu]

Glad you got it worked out & HH.

 

[controlfreq]

Thanks