Gotta question....

[Anonymous]

that someone could answer for this stupid newbie. I posed it below, but it probably was overlooked in the big hulabaloo(sp?). I've heard the new detectors only need a 9v battery to operate it, while the Tejon, which they were designed from, needs 8 AA batteries. Could someone explain this for me? I'm not much of an engineer type and am not sure why one would operate on 9v and the other needs 12v?
J.

 

[Anonymous]

All metal detectors incorporate voltage regulators in their circuits, so whether designed to use 9 volts, 12 volts, or 500 volts, the current is regulated back down to the level needed to run the circuits. I think there are some that also use step regulators or transformers to increase voltage at the coil. A Nautilus for instance can be cranked up to provide around 44 volts at the coil, while most machines are restricted by design to put 6 to 12 volts across the coil. This is great in conditions where you can actually make use of higher TX voltage, but because of the physics of the coil to EMF ratio, higher voltage does not necessarily result in greater depth. What it does do is provide a "stronger" signal that can result in a stronger received response from the target.
In the case of the Tejon vs. the Cibola or Vaquero, the Tejon uses more batteries for better battery life, moreso than for "more power". Higher voltage batteries will generally provide more amp-hour life than lower voltage batteries, all circuits and other factors being the same between the machines.
Ralph

 

[Anonymous]

Or just use larger cells to prolong intervals between battery changes. My CX Plus uses 6 C cells and it very slowly drops in power.

 

[Anonymous]

maybe the change in batteries probably had more to do with weight than power? Thanks for your response Ralph and Dan.
J.

 

[Anonymous]

....you can gain the extra amp-hours either way, with higher voltage or larger cell capacity. A C or D will last longer than a AA even though both are the same voltage rating. Good point.

 

[Anonymous]

this. With the Tejon, I believe Tesoro had to use the Cortes/Deleon sized case because of the extra space requirements to house the extra features incorporated in it. This also would have required an external battery pack instead of the single 9v. mounted in the control box. I suspect it was much cheaper to use existing molds designed for the 2 packs of 4 AA's instead of developing new ones for an external 9v. battery box. Just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mr.Squid <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> It's kinda swings and roundabouts on the power supply question. My first machine (which I still have as a backup) was the Siver Sabre 2. This machine uses 2 9v batteries, and works great. One thing I would say is that you find that the power drop-off from two 9v batteries is pretty sudden and dramatic. My weapon of choice right now is the Hawkeye / Deleon, which uses 8AA cells. Battery life with this machine is great, and the power 'drop-off'curve is less dramatic, you know well in advance that you need to renew the batteries in about two trips time! (I guess the battery condition meter helps)! I too thought what the heck are they thinking? going from 2 9v to 8 aa cells, but now I see the sense in the change, and it's a real benefit <img src="/metal/html/wink.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> I get out once a week for about 5 hours at a time, and the 8AA cells last me about 2 months a set!
HH charlie(UK).