Kudos to Minelab

[grumpyolman]

Sent my 'pre-owned' Excal into ML as it was erratic. Didn't start doing that until after I had used it for a week or so. ML received it on June 24Th and I got it back today..July 11Th. They found a short in the coil wire near the connector on the bottom, put on the Ikelite connectors for the head phones, repaired an intermittent in the battery pod, and cleaned and lubed the switches. $180 for all that and return shipping. Not at all like the "F" products repairs I read about in the "F" forum. Dick Schultz was right on top of it and immediately responded to e-mails and when the tech "Bill" got it in his hands and found out what he needed to do he called himself to tell me what he was to do and get approval for the work. They did what they said they would when they said they would. Fort what was done, the cost was totally reasonable. Regards...Jim..

 

[bottlebum]

How do you like the connector that they installed? Do they have them for the coil too. I wonder if the connector install would void the warranty on a new machine.
Thanks, Bottlebum

 

[grumpyolman]

I know the connectors well as I have them on my Garrett UW machine and have never had a problem with them. Well, I did forget the headphones when I packed my stuff one time and tried to use the LEDs to find targets...didn't work for sic cum. When your headphones aren't' hard wired you can leave them behind. Ikelite has been making UW products for a long time. Some of the best housings for UW lights, cameras, etc., are made by them.
Your guess is as good as mine about the UW "COIL" connector. Neither the Garrett or the Excal I have allow you to disconnect the coil. It's hard wired. The Ikelite connector has 3 small contact points that are always in contact with the water. It doesn't matter for the small electrical current going to and from the battery or the signal going into the headphones. However, what goes into a coil is probably not just simple low DC and my guess is the water even making minimal contact with that would interfere. Now I'll hear from someone they've been doing the coils that way for years without problems. Regards...Jim.

 

[bottlebum]

I know the connectors well as I have them on my Garrett UW machine and have never had a problem with them. Well, I did forget the headphones when I packed my stuff one time and tried to use the LEDs to find targets...didn't work for sic cum. When your headphones aren't' hard wired you can leave them behind. Ikelite has been making UW products for a long time. Some of the best housings for UW lights, cameras, etc., are made by them.
Your guess is as good as mine about the UW "COIL" connector. Neither the Garrett or the Excal I have allow you to disconnect the coil. It's hard wired. The Ikelite connector has 3 small contact points that are always in contact with the water. It doesn't matter for the small electrical current going to and from the battery or the signal going into the headphones. However, what goes into a coil is probably not just simple low DC and my guess is the water even making minimal contact with that would interfere. Now I'll hear from someone they've been doing the coils that way for years without problems. Regards...Jim.

LOL! I hear you Jim..that's why i'm usually afraid to give any advice here....Thanks for the info.

 

[Beachcomber]

if they used the same connector for the headphones that they use for the battery which is the one they usually use then the contacts are NOT in contact with the water! There are two actual contacts and one key pin so that you can not plug it in backwards. The key pin is in contact with the water. But there is a rubber gasket that is between the two connectors that is molded in such a way as to seal the contacts from the water.

Here is a pix of the connector I think you are talking about. Is this it?

HH

Beachcomber

 

[the Swede]

Is it not possible to have Minelab hard-wire both the headphones and the coil which the customer would like to use?


the Swede

 

[Reggie]

Garrett did some of the same kind of repairs for my used 2500, but when I returned it the second time for a related issue, they apologized and told me if it happened again, don't send it back, as they would send me a NEW 2500. NO CHARGES, either. Now, my friend, Garrett's has REAL customer service. Minelab ain't too bad, either....

 

[grumpyolman]

I'll have to look at the connectors more closely. I have seen the rubber gasket material but I didn't think that would be good enough to keep the water out with the ambient pressure as high as it if you were diving 60' or so. Every time I have disconnected my Garrett headphones, it seems water is dripping out of the inner area. That water pressure on an open space is pretty significant. I remember the time I was making and testing an underwater housing for a strobe and it worked great and I was all smiles...until I went deeper than 10'. Regards...Jim

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Minelab WILL install the ikelite connectors, for the Gray Ghost Underwater Headphones, but will not install the waterproof connectors to do coil swaps and maintain the warranty. If the waterproof connectors are used for the coil, they WILL leak and the warranty will be voided. A mate of mine in Fla used some and the unit leaked and began operating irratically. Minelab was good enough to go ahead and hardwire him back in and DID NOT void his warranty, but they CERTAINLY were entitled to. It's a BAD IDEA, don't go there. Buy one of each, if you want to have alternate coils, you need backups anyway. Just the opinion of an old salt looter.