Is Garrett Groundhog "Money Hunter" Coil Waterproof?

[Johnsey22]

I just purchased my first metal detector - a Groundhog "Money Hunter" for $75 and am excited to get out there and try it.

Does anyone know if the "Co-Planar Coil" is waterproof or not? It is solid white/beige plastic coil, approximately 7 1/2 inches.

I want to submerge it in water about 1-2 feet at a local swimming hole, and hopefully fine coins or jewelry.

If not, can I change out the coil on this machine with another coil that is waterproof? What specifications do I need to adhere to, to do this?

Also, if I can change the coil - what coil would you recommend?

thanks for reading, jill

 

[Des D]

"Congratulations on finding such a classic detector! It was great in its day and I had 2 of them the first in 1979, the second bought used from Ohio in the mid '80's
I still have the Instruction Manual for it and have just read thru it and nowhere do I see mention of the coil being waterproof?

But, on Page 28 it has a Beachcombing paragraph: "In searching the beaches, the wetted sand is usually so conductive that the VLF Ground Cancelling Circuitry cannot them out completely."

It goes on to suggest to reduce annoyance from black and magnetic sands work in AUTOMATIC tuning.

I'm sure that I used my first one in and around water and it didn't fail?
I'd also say that it's naturally buoyant anyway and where the coil cable entry hole is, that looks well sealed?

But, as it's such an old coil I'd guess that the 'innards' may have gotten old and is probably not as sturdy as it was?
So my advice to you is not to immerse the coil and instead try to preserve it.

I'd say any extra choices for other coils is very limited and you may not find any others?
However, KellyCo used sell 'HotHead' coils and maybe one of those is out there somewhere but I'm not sure if they were compatible with your model?

I hope this helps.

Happy St.Paddy's Day...

Desi Dunne

 

[slingshot]

I don't know of ANY Garrett coil that wasn't waterproof. Not the Garrett workmanship. Now after years of use a tiny hole or around the coil wire where it joins the coil can be a possibility..

 

[friendo]

Is that coil pictured in your post...the one you got with the metal detector? If so,it is the wrong one. The correct coil should have a decal showing a groundhog borrowing through the ground. Also a little gold sticker saying '15 khz'. The Deep Seeker coil you have will not work due to the wrong frequency of 5.5 khz.
If this is the case,look for a groundhog coil that says that it is 'submersible' on the decal.

 

[Des D]

"I'd say the detector in question works with the coil shown?
Garrett sold coils with different labels and perhaps a previous owner bought a different coil?
It'd be nice if Johnsey22 came on and advised if what help and information imparted here has been of use!"

 

[friendo]

This is what the original coil should look like.
Garrett states in their product literature with the 'Money Hunter' that the search coil is submersible up to the connector at the end of the cable. I would make sure that the seal around the coil isn't cracked first.

 

[Des D]

"Ya...I remember them!

Don't ya love the metal lower rod going all the way down to the coil and the steel coil nut & bolt set they used?

I remember at the time (1979) thinking a steel bolt so close to the coil was 'fundamentally' wrong?
So I searched and searched for a plastic bolt and found one in a plumbing accessory store!!!"

 

[Des D]

Still no sign of Johnsey???

Why ask a Q if you're not going to check back to see and acknowledge replies and assistance others are willing to supply!