Gold striker

[hdstute]

Hello,

I have a Minelab "American Gold Striker" which I like very much.
Need a battery pack for this unit. Can any one help to find one?
I can may solder one together by my self, but the fit in the
battery compartment is not good, too small compartment.
Also any one can tell if I can use a 9volt with 4 AA, will this work too.
Any help is appreciated!

Dieter (d.stute@cox.net)

 

[Reg]

Hi Dieter,

Over the years, ML changed the connector used on the batteries of the Gold Striker/XT series. They also made a setup to use 8 AA Alkaline batteries. So, a 12V setup will work fine. At one time, they had a 2.5 x 5.5mm connector, then they had a strange flat connector that mated to springs on the case.

What type of connector does your Striker use? Once it is known, then most likely something can be built to work.

Reg

 

[hdstute]

I have the round 2.5 by 5 mm connector. But my unit has a hand made battery pack of 10 AA batteries. That is 15 volt.
I wonder if the privies owner may put this together and did know what he is doing. If you can give some advise how to get the battery pack would be great. Dieter

 

[Reg]

I believe ML made a AA pack setup that allowed the use of 8 AA alkalines. This was to be a backup for the rechargeable pack. The rechargeable pack was a plastic case that had 10 nicads inside if I am not mistaken. Basically, a 10 pack of nicads operates at 12V.

So, if you have a pack made up of 10 nicads that should replace the original or might even be the inside of the original pack.

If you get a chance double check the wiring of your battery pack with a voltmeter if if you have one. I think the center of the connector is positive, but this should be verified if possible.

If you can, please measure the voltage at the connector to verify whether the center pin is positive or not.

Reg

 

[hdstute]

Thanks for the 2 emails. In my case the center round tip is the positive.
Dieter

 

[Reg]

Ok, then a simple 8 cell battery pack can be made up using a couple of battery holders and a home made connector assembly. On ebay, you will find the type of battery packs originally used in the Alkaline backup setup. Here is a link to some of that type.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Battery-Holders-4AA-Batteries-10-to-12v-DC-Garrett-GTA-350-GTP-1350-GTAx-550-/130839519133?pt=US_Metal_Detector_Accessories&hash=item1e76a49f9d

Next we will need a couple of 9V wired connectors and finally a proper sized dc connector. Wire the two connectors in series so when the two 4 packs of batteries are installed and attached to the connectors, the batteries are in series. Wire all this to the proper size DC plug and you have a backup where you can use Alkalines.

If the battery pack you have for your detector fits in the case, you can either build one like it or go to some place such as batteries plus and show them what you need. I would recommend taking the detector also. They should be able to build you a pack. Personally, I would use NiMh batteries rather than the older NiCads.

Now, they do make a Li Ion AA size and only three of them in a 3 battery holder should work. Unfortunately, I have never found any of that size batteries that were worth the effort. Keep in mind this battery is a nominal 3.7v and not the usual 1.5V. That is why only 3 are needed. Since a VLF doesn't draw much current, they might work out ok. Li Ion batteries are temperamental and never should be discharged fully because it can destroy them. The minimum and maximum voltage is critical. Personally I wouldn't let that voltage get below 3 V per cell or greater than 4.2V per cell. Li Ion's require a special charger to assure the voltages are kept within range when charging.

Reg

 

[argyle]

There are new battery packs made for our older Goldstriker's and 17000's now Dieter. They are nMhi and not Nicad so are much better, and do not suffer the old horrible charge-memory problems the Nicads did,,,, nasty little low life packs that they were.

The States may stock them, but they're easily bought and quickly shipped from Australia. Just Google XT17000 battery pack and you'll come up with the one distributor, bendigo gold (miners den). They are quite expensive around $100 but are well worth it.

Oh and the same company are on eBay au. Bendigo gold. Cheaper at $85 than compared to their website listing.