I bought a used Garrett for $5 !!!

[Marz]

First-time poster here and from what I've been reading in these forums thus far, it has been enlightening and educational. I have a non-working CUE Electronics (Compass), a Tymex Tools Descriminator, and a Radio Shack cheapo wannabe MD. I've been trying to repair the CUE despite replacing IC chips and such with no success yet.
Just a few weeks ago a friend was cleaning out his attic and offered to sell me an Ultra GTA 500 w/ elliptical Crossfire coil for a mere $5.00!! Of course I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough! Everything seems to work except for no audio to the headphones. The display indicates a find, but no audio at all. Both AA battery holders have end-caps that are slightly broken away and need replaced or repaired to assure good electrical contact. I know this is an older model and I would like to obtain a schematic diagram of it. I have an extensive electronics/repair background and can perform my own troubleshooting/repairs, but having some service literature to go by would be helpful. Does anyone know of a website that offers either a schematic / service literature either for free or at a small cost? Are there any performance mods/enhancements published on this model? My web surfing hasn't turned up anything other than a user's guide and some product reviews. I'm eager to treasure hunt with this apparently decent product. Thank you.

 

[slingshot]

Sorry I don't know the info, but when my 350 messed up, it was in the phone jack. It caused the loss of both headphone and detector sound.

 

[oldrivers]

call this number at garrett and ask for susan 1-800-527-4011 I'll bet she will get it fixed for you or get the schematic you need
Larry

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Be sure to ask for some new battery holders while you have her on the phone. Sometimes they will ship you some for free. The 500 Ultra should be a serious upgrade from what you have now!! Congrats on getting a great bargain!!

 

[Da Yooper]

WOW, that's a great find for a mere $5.00 HAPPY HUNTING

 

[liltracs]

Should be able to go to the park one day and pay for it. Congrats on the great bargain.

 

[oldrivers]

lol I'll give you 10 bucks for it

 

[Marz]

Well I spent yesterday disassembling the unit completely. I found a handful of suspicous looking solder connections, mildly corroded gold and silver clad connectors, a defunct speaker, and a burnt 8-pin IC chip (SMT type - very tiny - about 1/2 the size of a house fly!). I've made all the necessary repairs, even had an exact replacement SMT chip in my parts inventory! I even cleaned off the residual flux left behind from factory manufacturing - of which excess flux should ALWAYS be removed after soldering. This evening I'm eager to insert the repaired battery holders and fire her up. I hope everything powers on and comes to life so I can get out there and find that 2 carat diamond ring my wife keeps asking me to buy her!!

Here's a close-up of what the chip looks like -

 

[Marz]

For those who may be interested: The GTA 500 is detecting very well - I am impressed with it's abilities. However a small problem still exists - no audio. Speaker, headphone jack and wiring tests OK. Looks like I'll have to troubleshoot the audio section on the PCB. Apparently, that failed dual op-amp I replaced was necessary to properly drive the display. What a difference with that section working properly now. The pinpointing feature is neat -- it showed me the exact path of a buried electrical line (copper) that runs through my yard to a water fountain. I set out a nickel, quarter, penny, steel washer, aluminum tab and the unit properly indicated each type of metal to my delight. I'm used to using cheapo units that show errors and properly work only on the third Thursday of the month, in the afternoon between 2pm & 3pm when and if the relative humidity is around 40% with a southwest wind at 15mph.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

No audio is definately a problem!! I hope you can get it figured out and repaired. And whatever that other machine was you were using.....chunk it!!!

 

[Marz]

Chuk the other detector(s)?? No way! I'm passing that along to my son or daughter should they become interested. They can cut their teeth on it and I'll derive some satisfaction and payback from the days of changing dirty diapers and food slobbering!!!

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

n/t

 

[intanetuallyfun]

I have this same problem with my Garrett GTA 500 ultra. What was the problem with the audio?

 

[Gamma_Joe]

You got a great "classic" at an amazing price.

Could be a dumb question ... On the missing audio, are you super sure it isn't a connection or a tarnished part in the phone jack?

Cheers,

Joe

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Bought one new around 1990.....found me the largest gold college ring and a gold bracelet that was made for King Kong along with two seated dimes in a sidewalk replacement not to mentions tons of clad.....should serve you well....can't remember the price at the time but a tad over 5 bucks....