Has anyone modded their cibola with GB knob?

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Just because the knob is turned far cw does not mean it's positive, it's where that particular knob might be neutral.
Kris

Well if that's the case, then the pot is useless. Only having 3/4 turn cw left isn't much use on a 10 turn pot...

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

and that's the other thing

how do you really know what pot is right ?? I have always wanted to fiddle with Tesoro detectors add some stuff, and I think why?? is there anything to really gain other than some self satisfaction? even if I am an expert I just made the detector worthless to anyone other than me, and my ground is fluff so it doesn't matter anyway.

I can change coils on non GB detectors no problems.

so I do hope you work it out and I am sure you will but is it really worth the headache

I know its fun to fiddle !!

AJ

Well it still functions great. Discs perfectly where I calibrated it. AM works almost better than before lol. Freq shift works too.
Just can't hunt anywhere I need it more positive I guess.

 

[amberjack]

its a reminder to me why I buy new most of the time

so what happens when you spin the pot????

AJ

 

[Sven]

In my files, I had this made up after I did my first mod to keep as reference for tuning. And if you hunt around the forum, Monte's Super Tune instructions will also be of use.


HOW TO GROUND BALANCE YOUR CIBOLA WITH GB MOD
By Sven S.



To ground balance your Cibola.
1. Make sure your detector is in ALL-METAL mode. Preset the GB knob, conterclockwise until it stops, then turn it clockwise 5 turns. Turn on detector, sensitivity at 5-6.

2. Raise the coil about 18" off the ground
3. Set your threshold control. Turn knob until you get a slight sound.
4. Next step is to lower the coil within 3-4" of the ground. You may have to bob it up and down, since the Cibola has a fast retune speed. Otherwise it will retune itself to silent when the coil is stopped. Notice the sound when lowered to the ground. The tone should be the same as the threshold tone. If the tone is the same, it is balanced.

If the tone is lower, you need to turn the GB knob clockwise (positive GB). Keep bobbing up and down while turning the knob until the tone sounds the same. It may take a number of turns when using a 10 turn pot. When the tones are the same it is now balanced. Now turn the GB knob slightly clockwise until the tone goes up just a little. You are now slightly positive, ideal setting.

Now if while bobbing the tone gets higher as the coil gets closer to the ground, you need to turn the knob counterclockwise (neg. GB). Again when the tones sound the same, turn the knob slightly clockwise.

You have a wide latitude of adjustment, so you can really fine tune the Cibola. As well as tune out hot rocks, by tuning towards the negative.

I have mine set neutral, tones sound the same. Most hot rocks are tuned out, some are not. When hunting in Disc. mode, you can tell they are a hot rock by the sound, to confirm it, just switch to all metal, go over the target, hot rocks will now null out. Sort of the same technique that works with Fisher CZ5's.

When hunting, I usually run the sensitivity at 10 or a little past in the red zone. To learn different sounds , start hunting with sensitivity at the 6-7 range.

Hunting in all metal is fantastic, the threshold stays nice and stable. And you can still switch the toggle into Disc. mode to check the target if needed.

Now if you want to run the Cibola is Super Tune mode. You can only do this in Disc mode.
After you have ground balanced. Switch back to Disc mode, turn threshold knob to 3 o'clock position, no need to go any further, you will not gain any extra depth. Then turn the sensitivity knob into the red zone, the further you go to max, the deeper the detector will go.

If you want to return to all metal mode, just turn the Threshold back to the orig. tone.



Several questions asked, which I responded to:


Have three questions if I may.

If hunting in all metal mode may I turn the threshold knob so that the slight sound is gone or do I have to hear that slight sound during detecting all the time so I can hear also if the sound stops? Because this hum can make people crazy I think, or I set it to loud. What is a slight sound ?

No, you must have a threshold sound when hunting in all metal. It 's part of the ground balance tuning. The threshold can be set to it's barely audible. The threshold gives you a reference point when you go over a target. If you notice a slight sound change while hunting, it usually means it's deep or it maybe a very small target near the surface. Without a sound, you would never hear the change, you'll never know you passed up on a pc. of gold, Civil War button, rare coin etc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When doing all the GB can I after this just switch to disc mode, that's all?

Yes, you can switch back and forth.
You can hunt in all metal, then switch to disc. to check if the target is trash. Then return to all metal.
Or just hunt in disc. mode. And use all metal to quick check an iffy target, coins will give a higher pitch sounds in all metal, nickles a bit lower....


========================================================


Thanks again, a great mod. Tomorrow there is a kind of competition at the beach (86 detectorists) so I want to show of there there is also a Tesoro dealer that gives away great prizes like to see his face when he noticed this strange Cibola.

Maybe you have a tip for the beach competition also, I was thinking at the super tune mode?

If hunting dry sand you shouldn't have an problems. If you know what the targets are, you can set your disc. knob to knock out anything below the good target range. Hunt in all metal, set sensitivity to as high as possible. Since the Cibola retunes and pinpoints faster in All metal, you can sweep a bit faster and still pick out the targets, dig all sounds that are short sounds.

When you get to the beach, bury a number of coins and see how your detector performs in all metal and disc. You'll get a better idea how you will need to hunt.

Super tune mode might not be the best choice, you won't be able to switch from disc. to all metal and back. You may miss targets buried on edge. Plus you may get too much cross talk from other detectors. One thing you have to watch out for is loss of depth, get another detector on 14khz near you, even if you switch frequencies, you'll lose maybe 50% depth. Get together with someone with another Cibola, test bury a coin, try detecting within 2-4-6 feet from them and see if you lose depth and how much. Don't be fooled by the frequency switch on the Cibola, it's not foolproof.
Have fun and good luck
Sven


=====================================================


The best tip...
Posted By: Daniel Tn <Send E-Mail> (65.6.48.140)
Date: Saturday, 9 July 2005, at 11:06 p.m.
In Response To: Quite confident with my Tejon purchase, it's the whole ground balance thing..... (Chris in Ohio)
That I can give you for ground balancing....is indeed one that I learned here. It is easier to get it right by starting with it in the "negative" range and work your way up. What I do...is pull the pinpoint trigger and hold it. This enables me to hear the threshold of the machine. Hold the coil several inches above the ground. I hold mine from about 8-10 inches. While still holding the pinpoint trigger I will lower the coil to the ground. Not too slow and not to fast. Listen at the threshold. If it goes from being a steady HUMMMM to an increase in the audio...that means the detector is set "positive". Turn the GB dial a little ways in the direction of the - symbol. What you are trying to find is the point where the detector goes from it's HUMMMM to where the tone dies out whenever you are lowering the coil and holding the trigger. That is the "negative" side I was talking about. Then from there you keep doing the pumping of the coil and EVER so slightly move the GB knob towards the + symbol. What you are listening for now is the break over point where the detector no longer goes silent when you lower the coil. You want to find the neutral ground where it stays close to the same tone. Alot of times you will NOT be able to get it exactly right. I don't hunt with it there anyways...I will actually turn it just a tad more in the + direction for good measure. It is always better to have it set a tad + than to have it - at all. This will also help you keep close to the changing ground while you are hunting.
Some really bad dirt might require you to GB quite often. BUT with experience you will be able to tell from the falsing and extra noise that something is not right on it, and that is the clue to check the GB and see if it needs adjusting. It's alot easier to do than it is to explain how to do it. Tesoro did have a video on their website that showed the basic procedure but I'm not sure if it's still there or not.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

In my files, I had this made up after I did my first mod to keep as reference for tuning. And if you hunt around the forum, Monte's Super Tune instructions will also be of use.


HOW TO GROUND BALANCE YOUR CIBOLA WITH GB MOD
By Sven S.



To ground balance your Cibola.
1. Make sure your detector is in ALL-METAL mode. Preset the GB knob, conterclockwise until it stops, then turn it clockwise 5 turns. Turn on detector, sensitivity at 5-6.

2. Raise the coil about 18" off the ground
3. Set your threshold control. Turn knob until you get a slight sound.
4. Next step is to lower the coil within 3-4" of the ground. You may have to bob it up and down, since the Cibola has a fast retune speed. Otherwise it will retune itself to silent when the coil is stopped. Notice the sound when lowered to the ground. The tone should be the same as the threshold tone. If the tone is the same, it is balanced.

If the tone is lower, you need to turn the GB knob clockwise (positive GB). Keep bobbing up and down while turning the knob until the tone sounds the same. It may take a number of turns when using a 10 turn pot. When the tones are the same it is now balanced. Now turn the GB knob slightly clockwise until the tone goes up just a little. You are now slightly positive, ideal setting.

Now if while bobbing the tone gets higher as the coil gets closer to the ground, you need to turn the knob counterclockwise (neg. GB). Again when the tones sound the same, turn the knob slightly clockwise.

You have a wide latitude of adjustment, so you can really fine tune the Cibola. As well as tune out hot rocks, by tuning towards the negative.

I have mine set neutral, tones sound the same. Most hot rocks are tuned out, some are not. When hunting in Disc. mode, you can tell they are a hot rock by the sound, to confirm it, just switch to all metal, go over the target, hot rocks will now null out. Sort of the same technique that works with Fisher CZ5's.

When hunting, I usually run the sensitivity at 10 or a little past in the red zone. To learn different sounds , start hunting with sensitivity at the 6-7 range.

Hunting in all metal is fantastic, the threshold stays nice and stable. And you can still switch the toggle into Disc. mode to check the target if needed.

Now if you want to run the Cibola is Super Tune mode. You can only do this in Disc mode.
After you have ground balanced. Switch back to Disc mode, turn threshold knob to 3 o'clock position, no need to go any further, you will not gain any extra depth. Then turn the sensitivity knob into the red zone, the further you go to max, the deeper the detector will go.

If you want to return to all metal mode, just turn the Threshold back to the orig. tone.



Several questions asked, which I responded to:


Have three questions if I may.

If hunting in all metal mode may I turn the threshold knob so that the slight sound is gone or do I have to hear that slight sound during detecting all the time so I can hear also if the sound stops? Because this hum can make people crazy I think, or I set it to loud. What is a slight sound ?

No, you must have a threshold sound when hunting in all metal. It 's part of the ground balance tuning. The threshold can be set to it's barely audible. The threshold gives you a reference point when you go over a target. If you notice a slight sound change while hunting, it usually means it's deep or it maybe a very small target near the surface. Without a sound, you would never hear the change, you'll never know you passed up on a pc. of gold, Civil War button, rare coin etc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When doing all the GB can I after this just switch to disc mode, that's all?

Yes, you can switch back and forth.
You can hunt in all metal, then switch to disc. to check if the target is trash. Then return to all metal.
Or just hunt in disc. mode. And use all metal to quick check an iffy target, coins will give a higher pitch sounds in all metal, nickles a bit lower....


========================================================


Thanks again, a great mod. Tomorrow there is a kind of competition at the beach (86 detectorists) so I want to show of there there is also a Tesoro dealer that gives away great prizes like to see his face when he noticed this strange Cibola.

Maybe you have a tip for the beach competition also, I was thinking at the super tune mode?

If hunting dry sand you shouldn't have an problems. If you know what the targets are, you can set your disc. knob to knock out anything below the good target range. Hunt in all metal, set sensitivity to as high as possible. Since the Cibola retunes and pinpoints faster in All metal, you can sweep a bit faster and still pick out the targets, dig all sounds that are short sounds.

When you get to the beach, bury a number of coins and see how your detector performs in all metal and disc. You'll get a better idea how you will need to hunt.

Super tune mode might not be the best choice, you won't be able to switch from disc. to all metal and back. You may miss targets buried on edge. Plus you may get too much cross talk from other detectors. One thing you have to watch out for is loss of depth, get another detector on 14khz near you, even if you switch frequencies, you'll lose maybe 50% depth. Get together with someone with another Cibola, test bury a coin, try detecting within 2-4-6 feet from them and see if you lose depth and how much. Don't be fooled by the frequency switch on the Cibola, it's not foolproof.
Have fun and good luck
Sven


=====================================================


The best tip...
Posted By: Daniel Tn <Send E-Mail> (65.6.48.140)
Date: Saturday, 9 July 2005, at 11:06 p.m.
In Response To: Quite confident with my Tejon purchase, it's the whole ground balance thing..... (Chris in Ohio)
That I can give you for ground balancing....is indeed one that I learned here. It is easier to get it right by starting with it in the "negative" range and work your way up. What I do...is pull the pinpoint trigger and hold it. This enables me to hear the threshold of the machine. Hold the coil several inches above the ground. I hold mine from about 8-10 inches. While still holding the pinpoint trigger I will lower the coil to the ground. Not too slow and not to fast. Listen at the threshold. If it goes from being a steady HUMMMM to an increase in the audio...that means the detector is set "positive". Turn the GB dial a little ways in the direction of the - symbol. What you are trying to find is the point where the detector goes from it's HUMMMM to where the tone dies out whenever you are lowering the coil and holding the trigger. That is the "negative" side I was talking about. Then from there you keep doing the pumping of the coil and EVER so slightly move the GB knob towards the + symbol. What you are listening for now is the break over point where the detector no longer goes silent when you lower the coil. You want to find the neutral ground where it stays close to the same tone. Alot of times you will NOT be able to get it exactly right. I don't hunt with it there anyways...I will actually turn it just a tad more in the + direction for good measure. It is always better to have it set a tad + than to have it - at all. This will also help you keep close to the changing ground while you are hunting.
Some really bad dirt might require you to GB quite often. BUT with experience you will be able to tell from the falsing and extra noise that something is not right on it, and that is the clue to check the GB and see if it needs adjusting. It's alot easier to do than it is to explain how to do it. Tesoro did have a video on their website that showed the basic procedure but I'm not sure if it's still there or not.

Ok thanks!! I double check these instructions when I get home.

Just to recap, while ground balancing I only Bob from about 12" up to down to 3-4"?
I was bobbing down to the ground almost maybe .5-1". Was I getting bad reading that way going so low?
I used the GB instructions from my Bandido manual.
Thanks again.

 

[Kmaz]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

 

[steve1357]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

Thabo you for trying to help, but this thread is about a modded cibola. The pinpoint is removed and replaced with a switch for all metal.

 

[amberjack]

don't use a Tesoro manual I read one once I wondered who wrote it

they are fickle creatures Tesoro's each has its own personality , but the theory is the same if it sounds ugly its outta wack , if it sounds good you are nearly there

I do have my own way of getting there like everyone I guess , just spend a few hrs getting to know the detector just in the back yard clear a spot and start GB ing get one coil right change coils get it right, not a race its about understanding noise sounds that's how detectors work and they sure make some strange sounds like you know 4 years using a ctx and I am still learning new sounds how it all fits together.

that's why I say till I am blue in the face use the same machine every day for months you get good with it, and you know what put it down for a year and I have to learn a lot over again.

so really if a fella was smart he would pick a detector and use it for years like 4 years with the ctx I am just starting to get good with it.

you know this game has guys been doing it for 30, 40 years and their still learning that's why its fun and that's why its not for everyone too.

AJ

 

[Kmaz]

Maybe my soil is mild , but if hunting in disc mode I prefer to simply hunt as far negative as I can with no chatter. I still do All that bobbing and listening for tone on upstroke but in my soil ends up being the same as just hunting negative till no chatter. Most here know more than me so keep in mind my advice is worth the price charged...

 

[amberjack]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

Thabo you for trying to help, but this thread is about a modded cibola. The pinpoint is removed and replaced with a switch for all metal.

so is it modded or not I am confused to what's happening with this detector, I think what Kmaz is saying is do you know how to GB the detector sure is a confronting question but guess what I didn't know how to once and so did everyone else who uses a manual GB detector.

so I think the 2 go hand in hand the mod and the use of the mod.

been plenty of help for you here take it on board use what works for you.

you know in this game when I think I know it all the only person I am cheating is myself

AJ

 

[Kmaz]

Stoof.... I get what it's about and I assumed since you are pretty thorough you did all your research... I keep asking a simple question ... Help me out , is there a running threshold or are you "power balancing " I don't own a cibola so I don't know

 

[steve1357]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

Thabo you for trying to help, but this thread is about a modded cibola. The pinpoint is removed and replaced with a switch for all metal.

so is it modded or not I am confused to what's happening with this detector, I think what Kmaz is saying is do you know how to GB the detector sure is a confronting question but guess what I didn't know how to once and so did everyone else who uses a manual GB detector.

so I think the 2 go hand in hand the mod and the use of the mod.

been plenty of help for you here take it on board use what works for you.

you know in this game when I think I know it all the only person I am cheating is myself

AJ

I think it has reached the point of setting it aside for a month.

Having to purchase a soldering iron was the first indication there might be a problem. Having to go out now and purchase a multimeter will be another indication. Using a multimeter checking resistance may just put an end to the whole project by frying the semiconductors.

Maybe he can ship it to Sven....

Or call Rusty.

 

[Sven]

Keith balances firstly in all metal mode. fast and simple.
Then switches to disc mode to do power balancing.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfWNo3vleRU&app=desktop[/video]

 

[pan4au]

I have them wired to 2 and 3 like the pdf says

should work then.. have you checked the switch function with a meter? with the meter connected to the "wiper"
and either of the other two terminals the resistance should either increase or decrease as the knob is turned. if the meter is connected to the two non wiper terminals the resistance won't change

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

Thabo you for trying to help, but this thread is about a modded cibola. The pinpoint is removed and replaced with a switch for all metal.

so is it modded or not I am confused to what's happening with this detector, I think what Kmaz is saying is do you know how to GB the detector sure is a confronting question but guess what I didn't know how to once and so did everyone else who uses a manual GB detector.

so I think the 2 go hand in hand the mod and the use of the mod.

been plenty of help for you here take it on board use what works for you.

you know in this game when I think I know it all the only person I am cheating is myself

AJ

I think it has reached the point of setting it aside for a month.

Having to purchase a soldering iron was the first indication there might be a problem. Having to go out now and purchase a multimeter will be another indication. Using a multimeter checking resistance may just put an end to the whole project by frying the semiconductors.

Maybe he can ship it to Sven....

Or call Rusty.

Haha no I had the soldering iron and everything needed and ordered the POT.
I did everything as it was stated in the pdf.
I was just asking for all those who have done this mod to double check my connections.
It is modded. I know how to ground balance my bandido, so I assumed it was the same. Sven directions he posted just differed a bit

It's 9 turns cw from all the way ccw to get neutral, which seems off that's why I was asking.

Thanks for all the posts guys, but nevermind.
I'll take into consideration all of what is posted and try it, but I can't get an answer about how it was wored. I posted a pic of the POT wired and I soldered the board exactly as the directions said.

I was hoping some actually had a modded cibola for them to open really quick and compare to how mine was done.

If it having to be that positive is how it is, it's how it is.
But we are running in circles here.

If Noone has a modded one they can look at, then I don't know.

Again thank you for the responses.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

I have them wired to 2 and 3 like the pdf says

should work then.. have you checked the switch function with a meter? with the meter connected to the "wiper"
and either of the other two terminals the resistance should either increase or decrease as the knob is turned. if the meter is connected to the two non wiper terminals the resistance won't change

It does work. Goes negative with ccw turn and positive with cw turn.
The issue is that I have to turn it to nine turns cw from all the way ccw only leaving 3-4 to 1 turn before reaching the end on cw turns.

 

[amberjack]

Have you tried another coil?.... I get your frustration but if your ground balanced , what's the prob?why do you need more positive?i always go as much negative as I can till its chatty . Can someone tell me if the cibola has a true threshold? Are you power balancing or balancing to threshold?

How to ground balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXq4sHTS_Y

You'll have to hold in your pinpoint button to switch to all metal to properly do it.

You want the middle between either "pushing" or "pulling" the tone out of the ground

Thabo you for trying to help, but this thread is about a modded cibola. The pinpoint is removed and replaced with a switch for all metal.

so is it modded or not I am confused to what's happening with this detector, I think what Kmaz is saying is do you know how to GB the detector sure is a confronting question but guess what I didn't know how to once and so did everyone else who uses a manual GB detector.

so I think the 2 go hand in hand the mod and the use of the mod.

been plenty of help for you here take it on board use what works for you.

you know in this game when I think I know it all the only person I am cheating is myself

AJ

I think it has reached the point of setting it aside for a month.

Having to purchase a soldering iron was the first indication there might be a problem. Having to go out now and purchase a multimeter will be another indication. Using a multimeter checking resistance may just put an end to the whole project by frying the semiconductors.

Maybe he can ship it to Sven....

Or call Rusty.

or there's that

I know my limits and messing with circuit boards is not one of them unless I had a hands on coach and I don't so I don't

pretty sure I am on record as saying don't

but ya never know like you said walk away its always a great plan , I did a painting once took me 6 months I just kept looking at it and it ended up looking like this and now hangs on a local Dr's wall .

don't worry about me just distracting dentist in the morning I'm not a big fan !!

AJ

Oil on canvas

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

I can ground balance my Bandido and if it's different with the cibola then I'll have to figure out the quirks of it then.

I'll play around with it today and see how it goes.

 

[Kmaz]

I think your good to go... If It balances to neutral.... You don't need to go another turn positive.