Help with a "new" old White's detector

[Erin]

Hello folks! Am new to this forum and have been dying for a Whites for years (just posted this to the White's forum as well). In a fit of insanity I purchased an old White's Ted Williams 'treasure locator' off ebay (until I can afford an XLT, which will be quite a while!). It was listed as "like new in working condition". As luck would have it, it will not work. Before I am forced to return it, I hope someone can advise me. Problem- there are two battery packs, a white and a black. Black is nine-volt holding 6 AAs, and it registers on the battery intensity meter. White pack is 12 volt with 8 AAs. White battery pack does not register on intensity meter at all- one of its battery connectors is pretty corroded with rust. When the woman shipped it to me, she had the black wire connected to the white pack and vice versa. With it connected that way, each battery pack registers on intensity meter, but both only barely. While it was on, I managed to acquire a small beep over a quarter on my floor. Question- (probably dumb one, too)- is it possible to replace the white pack with a twelve volt battery instead? Is this crazy? Is it possible to remove the rust off the one contact piece? Should I just return it and start saving up with vigor?? I need help! Thank you very much for your time. Erin

 

[jim tn]

I don't know how much you paid for the "new old White's detector", but every good detector mfg has some very good entry level detectors at modest prices to start out with. All will probably have much better depth, take far fewer batteries, be much lighter in weight and many are simply "turn on and go". This is a wonderful hobby and starting out with a detector with problems and probably little depth will not let you enjoy what this great hobby does have to offer. Just my 2 cents. HH jim tn

 

[John(H)]

Erin, hopefully you didn't spend more than around $50.00 for this detector. If you ask for your money back, you will lose all of the shipping charges(both ways) which could be $20.00 to $30.00 or more! So right off the bat you could lose 50% of what you paid for it! Only you can decide if you want to do this! On the other hand,fixing the detector is probably not that hard! Go to Radio Shack and get their 12 volt battery holder. This holds 8 AA batteries! A 12 volt battery would work too but I haven't seen one in a long time and of course, it must fit into the battery area of your detector! No matter what you do, eventually you will need to acquire a newer detector! Many top brands offer detectors under or around the $200.00 range! Visit a local detector dealer or at least visit the manufacturer's website and see what is available in your price range!...........................HH...........Joe