Gold Mountain - King Cobra

[ironhead17]

I've decided to make use of this unit during my travels thruout the Southeast (US) but I've never turned it on. Is there a "how to" I can reference so I'm not wasting my time? I'd like to spend some time on the beach searching for rings and coins and stuff. My impression i sthat it's a decent detector but I really have never turned it on....any help appreciated. I believe it to me an older machine that I can't use in the water.

Hopefully I'll find a few things and report back this week that I've got a handle on how it works.

It's my first post so I look forward to getting to know the community.

Thanks in advance!!

Ironhead

 

[ironhead17]

Things aren't going so well.......I had to find a battery holder which I did @ Kellyco (Fla.) then I had to solder the 9V connector (neg. terminal) to the wire. Thanks Hobby Town USA. Left there and purchased the batteries and when I got everything in place.......the unit made no sound over a few coins I placed on the ground. I don't have headphones yet so I'll try again when I get home. I'm thinking baout moving this post to the Garrett's forum because I heard that the old Gold Mountain units were made by the same company.

Any suggestion on what to check to see if I can "turn it on"?

Thanks to everyone so far - Wes IN Daytona is a great guy.

Ironhead

 

[Old California]

Hi Ironhead,

I have a Gold Mountain King Cobra, Those battery clips do eventually weaken and break off. Recheck the batteries making sure they are properly in place, Very easy to have one upside down.

And if that don't work, Turn on the detector with the unit in all-metal mode and wiggle the battery clips on the battery packs or the battery wires themselves. If a burst of audio appears try to trace down the problem from the battery source area. Plus, Check the voltage on the other battery pack you didn't replace. It may be old, defective and not supplying voltage to the detector.

Also, Make sure the battery wires connector inside the circuit board is connected, maybe it unfastened from the circuit board when pulling apart the housing.

Headset, Yes try a headset as maybe the speaker is not working. Most likely the problem is a bad battery connection if it's not the speaker.

Send me an email or PM if you need help,

Paul (Ca).

 

[ironhead17]

Paul-

Thanks for the reply. I've invested some resources in digging tools so I'm determined to get it working. When I get home (Elgin, SC) I'll take it apart and check the battery connections. I'm in Ocala presently. I'll also check the audio with headphones, and then i'll get back to you with other questions. It's nice to know that someone else has the same model so I can pick you brain from time to time.

Thanks again,

Wade (Ironhead)

 

[ironhead17]

Good news, good news. I took the circuit board out and found the connector needed to have the black (neg. ) lead repaired. I fixed it as best I could and it took awhile. I was about to throw in the towel when it sprung to life! I adjusted the newly soldered fitting and it was chirping like a bird. The kids and I took it out to the yard and found a few nails. lol
I'm happy to have it up and running but I'm in serious need of a manual. Does anyone have one? If so please fax it to me @ 864-751-2956.

I'm busy this W/E but next week I'll log some hours and try to learn how to use it.

I'm grateful for any and all advice.

regards,

Ironhead

 

[ironhead17]

Found the manual from this site.....Keith Wills, owner address is on our website at: www.brokendetector.com if anyone is interested. I should be receiving it Friday, I hope.

 

[John(H)]

Ironhead17, hopefully you have gotten your detector fixed or repaired by this time!!..............I have one too, it is very light weight and very easy to operate! Also the batteries seem to last for a long time!........................If you are still experiencing detector problems I would send it in to Keith Wills at www.brokendetector.com He also repairs detector especially vintage ones!!.......Good Luck ......Joe

 

[ironhead17]

Update on my progress:

First trip to the beach, Hilton Head, SC, and we had a blast. I don't have pics but we found some things that needed to be cleaned off the beach plus a penny. We ventured up to the volleyball court only to have the batteries give up on us. I thought that area would yield some coins at a minimum.

I met and spoke with a couple who were very helpful. It was nice to see a couple enjoying time together on the beach. Hello to Ricky and Diane!!

I have the manual now and it "sorta" provided some instruction. Hopefully I'll get some first hand info. when I meet someone out hunting. The unit appears sound so it's just a matter of me learning what it's telling me. I found that the water didn't cause any problems. I'm nervous about the saltwater affecting the coil but it appears sealed so maybe it's OK.

New batteries and back to work.

Iron

 

[kt315]

hello, can anybody share a manual on King Cobra in scanned form? TIA

 

[~FRAN~]

Hi I was wondering if you had received your King Cobra metal detector manual.
I would like to get familiar with this detector as I just picked one up. I have never used it before. I am without a doubt as full of questions about this unit as you were when you started out with this detector. Any help and advise is appreciated.
Thanks
~Fran~