Foam Hand grip issues.

[mastereagle22]

Ok I have been out several times in the last few days and the ground is pretty moist due to the rain here. To make a long story short I have gottn mud into, not only on, the foam handgrip on my Deleon. I have tried to clean it out but the foam is flaking off the more I work on it. I do not want to contact Tesoro just yet for a fix and I know that with all of you MDers out there someone else has had to have had this problem and found a solution for it. Can someone help with this issue? How do I go about fixing/replacing this foam material without disassembling the detector? I am sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thanks for you consideratio of my question and any help you may be able to give.

 

[DavHut]

Buy a handlebar grip that will fit the rod, 7/8" I believe. MEasure it to be sure. Then call around to bike shops first to find one. I got lucky when I did this to an older detector and found one a WalMart. The detector was a Silver Sabre and I put one of those knobby BMX-type grips on it.

These grips are nearly indestructible and actually add to the controllability of the instrument.

To install, put a wrap of double sided tape in the grip area, moisten it with lighter fluid, naptha, acetone, etc. and then slide the grip over the tape. Allow the solvent to evaporate off and the grip will be stuck in place.

 

[Scully]

You have to unsolder the battery leads and remove the arm rest/battery compartments. The wire leads need to be pushed back into the pole section while you slide the new foam on the pole assembly. I have done it but its involved and not very easy.

 

[mastereagle22]

So what do you reccomend?

 

[Jerry Ga.]

No it's not a stupid question. I have one of the early tejons with the thin foam grip that is deteriating and coming apart. It would be best to send it to Tesoro to have the improved thicker grip installed but if I could find something that would fit I thought I would just cut it, wrap it around the handle and rejoin it with adhesive. The problem might be to find a glue that would be compatable with foam material. If all else fails I guess I'll just wrap electrical tape around the durn thing.

 

[Hightone]

I would think that you could use some of that insulator stuff from Lowes that you put around water pipes to keep them from freezing. The foam stuff thats black and just snaps around the pipe. Maybe not. It just came to mind.

Dan

 

[Scully]

Your original post indicated you wanted to replace the grip, but that cant really be done without some disassembly of your machine. Tha only way to get a new one on is slide it on from the rear and that means removing the batter/arm rest assembly. If it is only because of mud caked on the grip then I would suggest using water. You may have to wrap the control box and battery compartment to keep them dry, and use running water to carefully loosen the mud and dirt, squeezing the foam grip occassionaly. If you do this carefully you should be able clean the grip without getting any of the electronics wet.

If neither of those options work for you, you may have to ask Tesoro to replace it for you but they may charge you for it since its not a defect that was caused by materials or workmanship.

Will your dealer offer any help?

Scully

 

[mastereagle22]

Scully

No the material the grip is made of is flaking off. I cannot understand why. I cleaned it only with water just the way you described with the control housing in a bag. The grip material has always been rough since I have owned this unit. And unfortunately I bought this machine used from a forum member. I really don't have any issues with soldering since I have a Bachelors in Industrial Technology with and emphasis on Electronics and Computer Technology. I just am not sure I want to take the chance of messing something up. I am thinking about waiting until winter and sending the machine in and having them tune it up and put on a new grip. I know this will cost $$$ but I truly love this machine and it would be a worthwhile investment for me.

 

[stoney56]

That's what I did on one of my detectors. The foam started deteciorating and became torn. I picked up a box of the adhesive insulation for pipes. It's a neoprene rubber instead of the foam type. A 30' roll (which should last a LONG time) was about $7.00 or so. It's easy to overestimate how much you need so try overlapping about 18" or so and try a bit thicker in the middle. If needed, it's easy to add a bit more as needed.

 

[DavHut]

Once your done adding the foam. maybe you could wrap the grip with some baseball bat grip tape, too.

 

[Scully]

I know what you mean about not wanting to part with you favorite machine. I bet Tesoro will replace the grip for you at N/C when you send it in. Just include a letter explaining why you are sending it in.

There was a batch of bad grips that went out on machines, my Tejon included. Within several weeks I had worn a hole in mine, but I could not bare to be without the Tejon so I called James and asked if I would be able to replace it myself without destroying the warranty. They dont have a problem unless you mess with the electronics, so he gave me the details on how best to do it. If you want to emial me your phone number I will give you a call and give you all the details. Its more mechanical than anything else.

Scully