Just reinvented the wheel?Anyway my XS obsolete hard to find rechargeable pack solved.

[Ron from Michigan]

Not too long ago I needed an extra rechargeable battery pack that would fit the XS Sovereign.After calling a half dozen of Minelab dealers and talking to the lady at Minelab I found a rechargeable pack from the Nevada distributer.The gentlemen I talked to explained he had one battery pack left and that It was laying around for a while and didn't know if it would take or hold a charge the cost 34.00.I was aware of the possible problem and bought the rechargeable battery pack.The battery pack worked for a couple of hours after charging,and finally wouldn't even hold enough charge to fire the XS up.I only had one rechargeable pack left and it was ancient.My original solution solder ten rechargeable AA batteries in the same series salvage the plug from the original pack and I'm back in business.But wait? I thought its worth a try.I went to Meijers and bought a 8 pack of AA batteries rechargeable batteries for twenty dollars and placed these in an extra Minelab alkaline pack.I plugged the pigtail into the Minelab charger and charged the new batteries before using as described in the directions.Since using these batteries I have logged in 11 hour with no problems.I hope this helps someone with an XS looking for a replacement for their rechargeable battery pack.

 

[Rick(ND)]

I wonder how long this will last as the Ni cads and the Nickle hydride batteries are only 1.2 volts each so 8 is only 9.6 volts instead of the 12 volts needed to operate the Sovereign and why the factory Ni Cad have 10 cells in them to give the 12 volts needed. Many I have seen try this and will work for some for a hour or 2 and some wont even go 15 minutes without the low battery alert sounding. This is the first I have heard of any going as long as yours is. I seen this the number one problems with many that have tried this and then reported their Sovereign was erratic or getting a loud signal and then the threshold goes loud and cant be turned down. As soon as they put a set of 8 alkalines in the problem is gone as it has the 12 volts needed to operate. This is what happens then the batteries are low as I feel it is around 9- 9.5 volts when the low battery alert will sound. Maybe some of the higher Mha batteries will work better and never tried the 2600 Mha I have for my Explorer as these are some very powerful batteries that really last.

I know Sun Ray don't make these packs anymore, but the price list I have here still shows the plug in pack for the 1700/Gold striker which is the same one used for the Sovereign XS and the original Sovereign.
Keep us informed as to how long you get on the rechargeable in the alkaline packs and what is the Mha rating on the ones you have.

Rick

 

[Ron from Michigan]

The Batteries from Meijer's I think were 2550 Mha.I just put another charge on the batteries and will log my use time.The Sovereign worked like it usually did,which I even found a 1907 Indian Head penny by doing the wiggle to climb from 173 to 176. By the way before the last charge I never ran down to the point with the XS getting loud or low alert.The Sovereign seemed to work fine.The battery pack I got from Nevada was in his inventory for the 1700,which these packs are hard to get for the gold unit and Sovereign.I'll keep you posted and thanks for the information.PS Did these guys put a full recharge on the batteries before using them in the unit?

 

[nc-joe]

Kellyco sells replacement packs for $60.00 for the xs and $34 for the original sovereign

http://www.kellycodetectors.com/accessories/Batteries.htm

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Joe, I may give them a try if these recharge-ables don't work. Thanks

 

[Art (NWOH)]

There is no mention of what kind of rechargeable batteries they are.
What are they? For all we know, they could be lithiums.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would have to ask someone in sales more questions before ordering.

 

[Rick(ND)]

The Ni Cads for the original and the XS that are plug in packs are retail for $46.95 but many dealers can get you one for $32.97. The newer drop in pack are a little more at $60.95 retail with the Minn selling price of $49.97. These are the Ni Cad pack and not the NiMH pack Sun Ray used to make, but no longer does.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Rick,Thanks

 

[nc-joe]

Scroll down to the "Minelab Batteries and Recharge Systems" it states they are NiCad.

Plug-in Rechargeable NiCad for older Sovereign, 17000, Gold Striker
CAT# 237-B03110002 Just $34.00
[Buy it Now]
Drop-in Rechargeable NiCad for newer Sovereign, xs, xs-2a, xt18000
CAT# 237-B03110003 Just $60.00
[Buy it Now]

http://www.kellycodetectors.com/accessories/Batteries.htm

 

[Art (NWOH)]

Reachargeables of some kind (???????) that last a long time are being used in place of the standard Minelab pack.

I know what is in the standard pack.