GT coil covers and options

[sierraimage]

Well, after several days of trying to contact Minelab for some clarification (they never responded or answered the phone), I think a separate forum string may be needed for this. I read the scattered info but may as well start a dedicated string.

So, I wanted to order a new coil cover for the GT with 10" Tornado coil, but I am getting mixed info on the retailers web sites about which is which. Is it the 'SLIMLINE' cover or is it the 'ALL TERRAIN" coil cover that fits that coil? And what are the differences between the two covers?

Also, are their color options? I see a yellow one listed on some sites, but there is no information as to which fits which line of coils.

We can also get into the bedliner thing as well I guess. Store bought bedliner in a can seems rubbery and weak. Has anyone hand their coil 'Linex" coated? My linex coated truck bed is like steel and resistant to all chemicals etc. How is the spray liner sprayed on the coil without it getting every where on the top and how far up are you spraying it? I wonder if there are any metals in either the linex or in-a-can bedliner. I thought they use fibers in some.

Thoughts?

 

[Critterhunter]

First, I believe the slimline coil is just another name for the currently made Tornado coils that first appeared with the Elite and are used on the GT. All Terrain coil? Never heard that term. I have noticed that the new Excals have a bright yellow or green color of the Tornado coil but it's the same coil, so maybe that yellow coil cover is for them (which would then fit your coil because they are both the same thing, just different colors). The prior 8 and 10" BBS coils were heavy and called just that I think. Never heard them called anything else but maybe that's the All Terrain thing?

I would opt for bed liner. Sure, you only drop a few ounces but that makes a big difference at the end of a shaft and after a long day's hunt. Bed liner spray is NOT rubbery. You might be thinking of undercoating spray that you can also get in a can. Think about it...Bedliner spray needs to be hard and tough as nails for handling cargo. The most important thing is to not put it on too thick which each coat, and to let it dry very well for hours in say the hot sun before the next coat. Otherwise coats underneath might never harden up. Make sure to sandpaper the coil to rough it up, then clean with rubbing alchohol to remove any dirt or finger oils. I taped mine with painters tape. I taped only the top so the sides and bottom would be protected by the bed liner. Some paint the top of the coil too, as this stuff will look like a factory textured finish of a coil fresh from the factory. Search the beach forum and this forum for "bed liner" as there are many posts, especially in the beach forum. I used Rustoleum version but there are others you can find in threads that have been tested. If you buy one you don't see others used spray a heavy coat onto a piece of cardboard and then swing over it. If it nulls or sounds off don't use because of minerals or zinc or something in the spray to retard rust or something. I really haven't heard of one yet that failed the test though.

 

[Rick(ND)]

The slimline is what the Explorer coil were called on the Explorer SE, the Tornado coil is on the Elite and the GT, the BBS coils were known as the all terrain coils when they came out, Minelab don't make the 10 inch BBS cover anymore and it been replaced with the 10 inch black skid plate for the Elite and the GT with the Tornado coil on it. The yellow covers are for the Excalibur's 2 that have the 8 or 10 inch tornado coil on them so they can be seen in the water easier.

The 10 inch Tornado coil cover part number is #3011-0158 if you need one. If you want a yellow one the number is # 3011-0159

Rick

 

[Critterhunter]

Rick, the Tornado 10" and 8" coils are also called Slimline coils by some websites, including KellyCo's. This is right off their site...

"Minelab 10" Slimline
Tornado Search Coil
(Sovereign GT/Elite"

The Explorer coils are also called that but so is the 8 or 10" Tornado for the Sovereign on some sites. I know Tornado is the proper and most popular name for the Sovereign 8 or 10" versions that appeard on the Elite and are still the ones made today for the GT. Just saying some sites call them Slimline coils. I remember noticing that on several sites about a year ago and thought it was odd to call them Slimline like the Explorer coils, but some places do.

 

[Rick(ND)]

Yes you are correct as some people call them many different names, but the correct name is Tornado coils as the Slimline is a Explorer coil made for the Explorer SE and have a different coil cover than the Tornado coil. If some sites say it is for a Slimline coil you better ask before you order it to make sure it is for the Sovereign Tornado coil.

 

[sierraimage]

Funny how such a simple thing can be so confusing by names etc. Im still only half way clear on the name of the covers and coils, but I did hear back from mine lab today. Even though he didn't exactly commit to the slimline name for the coil cover, he had no idea what an "all terrain" coil cover was. Which I thought was interesting. He gave me the part number of..this is his quote from our emails (speaking of my 10" GT 1000 tornado coil). "the replacement coil cover part number for your detector is 3011-0158. The replacement cover is black just like the original. The Excalibur and Sovereign use the same coil and coil cover, but the Excalibur one is yellow. If you want the yellow one the part number is 3011-0159. I hope this helps".

So, since most sites don't use part numbers, I will have to guess the slimline is fine for the tornado 1000. I ordered a slimline from serious detecting today and they also said it was the slim line. So...slim line it is for me until I get it and it doesn't fit..lol. Strange though that both covers are priced very differently. Not sure why that would be either.

By the way, found that great thread about ordering half boots for my toggles from Mousers...can't wait to put those on.

I'll definitely update everyone once all of this arrives.

 

[Critterhunter]

Was that toggle boot thread one I linked to in the accerries sticky or another thread? If so, post me a link. I want to read it, even though I already put them on my GT a while back.

 

[sierraimage]

this was that link about the toggle switch boots. I also ordered these this week. I'll see how it goes when they come in.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?21,1527114

 

[Critterhunter]

Thanks for the link. I checked and the Sovereign accessories sticky link for toggle boots goes to a thread that also has a link in that thread to the thread you posted the link for, so that excellent thread can be found via the sticky too. Just wanted to make sure because the link you posted is a good thread with pics.

 

[sierraimage]

I received the half boots today and installed them in about 5 minutes. awesome addition to my GT. These should help in the desert with the dust and sand. Here is a pic. They were sold as "gray" but they look light black. Good enough. I ordered five incase i needed a replacement and I'm glad I did...one of the holes in one of the boots had a tear in it. Order and extra one to make sure you have a spare if there is one that's bad. (see pic of installed boots)

 

[Rick(ND)]

The shipping sometimes is more than the item, so I always buy extra myself and why I have extra 180 meter kits for those that need them plus extra cable connectors for the Sovereign in case someone needs one or 2. I have around 10 extra of the rubber half boots myself, but mine come from Ralph at Sun Ray.
I like to have extras around, never know when you will need them, probably when you have that once in a life time place to hunt and you detector needs something simple to replace and you don't have it.

 

[xwyokid]

n/t

 

[Critterhunter]

I've got the half boots on mine too. They were the military grade half boots rated for use on military equipment in harsh environments. I used a Findmall sponsor for getting mine because people said he always seemed to have them in stock. He also includes 5 in the order too, so it's good to have a spare like you said in case you find one has a tear in it or something. The good thing about half boots is they don't rip or tear over time like full length boots do. At first I really wanted full length boots until I found out that could happen, and also that the half boot military grade ones do seal around the toggle so no water or dirt can get in. I love'em too. Extra confidence when there is a light drizzle or you are chest mounting and afraid sand might be falling right down into them. I always worried about that until I got the boots, because sand is a fast way to destroy those switches. Now I've got piece of mind for that.

If anybody is installing them use compressed air or at least your mouth to blow any dirt out of the switches before installed the boots. You don't want to seal any grime in there that can't get out ever again. I turned the box upside down and then blew into the switches to make sure they were clean.

I *think* that at least with some of the toggle boots you don't even need to remove the old switch nut to install them as there is enough thread on the switch for the boot to screw on without removing the old nut. But if you do remove the old nut here's the trick...Grab the toggle by it's base to hold it steady while you force the boot onto the top of it. After you get it on then use the needle nose pliers to grab the top of the toggle while you tighten down the nut. That way there is no chance of the switch being pushed into the control box when forcing the boot over it, and also no chance of the switch getting cocked sideways as you tighten down the nut. Those switches are pretty rigid due to the solder points on them from what I remember when I had my GT apart to install my remote PP switch. Chances are they aren't going to move, but why take the chance?

One more tip- Now that you've got the switches sealed if you're like me you'll start to worry about water or dirt getting in through the speaker hole. Some guys are putting tape over it or something. I haven't got around to doing something about that yet and it bothers me on a day when it's drizzling. I'm think I might find a plastic lid to a Pringles can or off of something else that is just the right size to fit over the speaker. I think that would be more waterproof than tape and look better myself. Maybe just put a small bead of something like Shoe Goo around the rim of the lid and then just stick it right on. Shoe Goo will peal off usually pretty cleanly so I'm thinking it won't harm the face plate if I ever wanted to remove it.

After that's all done, then the only thing you've really got to worry about is rain or dirt getting in via the pot controls and that's not easy due to their nature, but still possible. The seams around the box are about the only other potential way for dirt or moisture to get in. Hmmmm...A little Shoe Goo around those seams might do the trick...