Lithium Ion Battery System - Have you had any problems with the system starting up ?

[DOC]

Recently we have had some reports of the Lithium Ion System not starting up immediately, and having to flip the on off switch on the regulator a couple of times to get it to come on.

We have also had an incident where 1 person blew two of his GP's using the Lithium Ion System and DEAD SHORTED both Lithium Ion Batteries, of course he immediately blamed the COILTEK Lithium Ion system, calling it a piece of junk, bla, bla, bla. THIS PROVED TO BE TOTALLY UNFOUNDED !

In the first instance of the system not firing up. Lithium Ion batteries have a protection circuit built into the battery that is very sensitive to any power variations when the machine is powered up and under load. If it senses any little thing may be wrong, the battery chip goes (maybe somehing is wrong - ABORT ABORT ABORT) and it trips the protection circuit and shuts down the battery to prevent damage.

Now here is what we know. SOME batteries purchased from other places, other than us, can cause this to happen. We tested a lot of different manufacturer's batteries, and some batteries trip darn near every time, and the ones we settled on, he 7800 mAh and the 5400 mAh rarely trip.

I have one off brand battery, it was a sample from a Chinese company who wanted our battery business, with that particular battery you have to flip that sucker on at least 10 to 20 times to get it to fire up. Obviously the battery protection circuitry in this particular battery is overly sensitive.

In the second instance of the BLOWN GP's, and any instance in which you have a dead shorted battery; The problem with the fellow with the two blown GP's had nothing to do with the COILTEK Lithium Ion Battery system at ALL!

When I tested the system using the same regulator, new batteries, NEW Power cord and one of his repaired GP's the thing worked flawlessly. Which prompted me to ask more questions. Come to find out, this person wrapped his curly cord around the control box because he wanted to mount the Lithium Ion System on his detector, so he wrapped the power cord around the control box to shorten it up. Upon testing this cord, it was found that the power cord hada dead short in it, which blew up $80 worth of Lithium Ion batteries and his two GP's, it had nothing to do with the COILTEK Lithium Ion system what-so-ever. This person was extrememly apologetic for jumping to conclusions that it was the COILTEK system; good thing too, because if he hadn't been apologetic, I would not have replaced his Lithium Ion batteries that HE BLEW UP.

So we have a problem here, he is wrapping the power cord around the control box to shorten it up, is totally unacceptable and causing undue strain on the power cord.

SO - If you have dead shorted a battery, the most likely cause is because your power cord, has an intermittent short in it that has momentarily touched and cross shorted the battery. Take care of your power cords, and check them periodically for wear and continuity!

We recommend that

#1. Please use our batteries, they have been tested to meet our specifications. You can use batteries you find on the net, or Ebay, but be aware you are at a greater risk of getting a battery that will constantly trip and you will get quickly frustrated flipping the on and off switch on your regulator to get the thing to power up. Besides, our batteries are 7800 mAh and we are pricing them at a point where we are literally making pennies. No one is trying to rip you off, we are trying to provide you with the best equipment at a reasonable profit.

#3. If you are going to machine mount your battery to your detector, use a SHORT LEAD POWER CORD, it is the same as our short charging cord. DO NOT WRAP any long curled power cord, Minelab or COILTEK, around your detector control box!

Thanks!

DOC

Short power lead:

http://www.docsdetecting.com/docsplace/coiltek/coils2.html#bacl22

<img src="http://www.docsdetecting.com/forum/libatppic.jpg">

[attachment 22208 doclogo.jpg]

 

[wheelbubble]

Doc I haven't had any problems at all with the system,although I am one of the guilty ones,wrapping the cord around the box...I'll order one of the short power leads monday....So save me one as you might have a run on them........Robert

 

[~LARGO~]

Hi Doc,
Now ya got me worried..
When we did the switchereoo replacement thing with the lithium ion battery system, the batteries I got with the replacement are 1: Assia 7800 mAh, which was an upgraded bonus battery for our having to send the systems back, and the other battery, 2: which is a SN-F960 5400mAh battery, no manufacturers name on it. It does have a Doc Detecting Supply sticker on it. The other battery doesn't have the DDS sticker..I have no idea what that signifies..
But back to the smaller SN-F960 5400 maHh battery wif the sticker on it. When I received it, the case was distorted a little,and a little shiny on part of it, as if it had gotten too hot at some point, and this was noted to the dealer. That is the way it was, right out of the shipping box.
I know when we sent the systems back, we didn't necessarily get the same batteries back that we had sent in, as I had marked mine with a 1 and a 2, before the shuffle, so I could keep track of which battery I had used, and which one I had not, cause originally, both batteries were the same mAh, thus looked the same.
It could have been one of the batteries someone had overcharged or something, then returned during the shuffle, then sent out again.


Should I be worried??
I think the thing takes a full charge, but I am not an electrical guy...

Next situation..

I have 2 power cords, one of which is the original Minelab cord, and the other is a replacement one, which is supposed to be a heavier duty one, as I specifically ordered a heavier duty cord through my dealer, as my original Coiltek Heavy Duty cord was sent out to Lanny when he graciously bought my SD2100. (Sorry Lanny to drag you into the fray).
But hell, I can't tell which of my cords is supposed to be the heavy duty one now or the original Minelab cord. They both look the same, basically. <UPDATE> THEY LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME! After talking to my dealer, the one he ordered for me was supposed to be a heavier duty Minelab cable...still looks the same, howsomever...
I know for sure what a Coiltek Heavy Duty cord looks like, but the one I have is NOT big like they are...so now ya got me worried. The only thing I can think of is that there was a mixup somewhere.
I don't get to go to the goldfields anytime I want like you guys do..Cause we have this stuff called snow and some rain, and about 6 months between times we can go out and beep.
I want to have the right stuff, and in good shape when it is time to go, howsome ever.

Sorry to worry you so..

UPDATE: <CHA-CHING CHA-CHING> In order protect my new COILTEK Lithium Ion Battery system (I hope anyway) I have axed my dealer to order a COILTEK Heavy Duty Curly Cord for me..per this sticky post...I feel better already!

~LARGO~


sorry....!!

 

[~LARGO~]

Hi all,

Gee whiz where is everybody, out beeping??

I am so stoked wif my new hat, that whilst I was perusing Docs site, I saw something that didn't fit...so I am going to make an amendment to it...see if you can figure out what it is...

***************

1-800-477-3211 ext. 14
Talk to my assistants, Gus, Scooter or Misti
We are open 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time
Monday through Thursday
(I am semi-retired and in the office
Monday through Wednesday ONLY)

***************



......There, I feel better already!!

Did ya get it????

Just lookin' out for my new friend!

~LARGO~

 

[Gerry in Idaho]

Doc, Now you have me worried!!!

I have ordered a few of these in times past (not many but a few) and never before had anyone told me that the customer HAD TO USE ONLY COILTEK CORD?

Now I had just ordered 3 sets of the newest version (2)7800's week before last and still nobody had mentioned that we needed the Coiltek Power cord?

My feelings (ouch) that someone either dropped the ball and did not do enough testing or that you should require the Coiltek Power Cord as part of the package.

At the gold show when ( the new 7800's ) were getting shown, nobody mentioned that we MUST HAVE a Coiltek Power Cord.

In my (very confused and short) opinion, that is like a customer buying a GP-3500 and then telling them, after the fact..they have to buy a coil or the detector will not pick up anything...

DOC..above most and we love it..You have come up with some great tools, gadgets, trinkets and other Prospecting Supplies that to many of us who are in the field are a MUST HAVE. but on this system and the new posts with new rules..me personally...I think maybe I'll hold off before hooking mine up to the detector.

We have all made mistakes in our strides for progress and perfection and I know for a fact that I have made my share as well, but I can read the words between the lines and wonder if we have an issue that may need to be re-examined.

Of the few super battery systems that I have sold, I never sold them a Coiltek power cord and I certainly do not want to be the one who has to pay for their burned up machine if it is to happen? Should I request that they buy the Coiltek Power cord and if they say NO, then what do I do.

Yes it would have been much better if we all had known to purchase the cord up front, but that is to late for many people.

I am asking for your help on this one because I don't want angry customers and I don't want a pissed off DOC..

Thanks, Gerry in Idaho

 

[RD Indio]

Hi Doc,
Used mine extensively during Potholes and my month long campout. Not a hint of a problem. Love the system a whole bunch. XXXX RD

 

[oregonneil]

Hi DOC,
Here is a picture of my setup. I GUESS THE PHOTO DIDN

 

[reifer]

Hi DOC,

I just returned from Arizona and detected for three days using the 7800mah system from you guys (on my GP3500) and have had no problems at all. I followed the intructions enclosed with the system. It directs the user to switch the detector on first then the battery. Works every time.

Greatest thing since sliced bread,
Reif Heck

 

[DOC]

Your Minelab cables are fine, just make sure that you check all of your power cables to make sure they are not getting too worn. It's a good idea to check them with a continuity meter from time to time to make sure all of your cords, Minelab or COILTEK are working properly.

As for that funky battery, send it back and I will send you a brand new one that we will not have to worry about.

The main thing to remember about curly power cords is not to wrap them around your box, or jam them into tight spaces when storing them as this causes undue stress on the cable.

Take care!

DOC

 

[DOC]

Don't worry - be happy!

You don't have to use a COILTEK POWER CORD, we only recommend it, because we know how they are made.

The problem truly isn't the cord, or who makes the cord, it's whether the cord has a short in it. Whether a COILTEK CORD or a MINELAB cord, if you have a short something in your electrical components is not going to like it.

I admit it, I have snagged my COILTEK power cord on a bush and fallen and gave it a pretty darn good tug. Do you think I ever bother to check it with a continuity meter to see whether I caused a short ? NO! If that detector is still working, I figure everything is OK, but that may not be the case.

The Minelab cords work fine. I over-reacted because I got an over-reaction from a customer. But whatever cord you are using, Minelab, COILTEK, extension cord, they need to be taken care of much better than we do.

The caution that I suggest is that whatever power cord you are using make sure that you check it for wear and do not wrap the cord around the control box. Thant is a big no no.

Take care!

DOC



[quote Gerry in Idaho]Doc, Now you have me worried!!!

I have ordered a few of these in times past (not many but a few) and never before had anyone told me that the customer HAD TO USE ONLY COILTEK CORD?

Now I had just ordered 3 sets of the newest version (2)7800's week before last and still nobody had mentioned that we needed the Coiltek Power cord?

My feelings (ouch) that someone either dropped the ball and did not do enough testing or that you should require the Coiltek Power Cord as part of the package.

At the gold show when ( the new 7800's ) were getting shown, nobody mentioned that we MUST HAVE a Coiltek Power Cord.

In my (very confused and short) opinion, that is like a customer buying a GP-3500 and then telling them, after the fact..they have to buy a coil or the detector will not pick up anything...

DOC..above most and we love it..You have come up with some great tools, gadgets, trinkets and other Prospecting Supplies that to many of us who are in the field are a MUST HAVE. but on this system and the new posts with new rules..me personally...I think maybe I'll hold off before hooking mine up to the detector.

We have all made mistakes in our strides for progress and perfection and I know for a fact that I have made my share as well, but I can read the words between the lines and wonder if we have an issue that may need to be re-examined.

Of the few super battery systems that I have sold, I never sold them a Coiltek power cord and I certainly do not want to be the one who has to pay for their burned up machine if it is to happen? Should I request that they buy the Coiltek Power cord and if they say NO, then what do I do.

Yes it would have been much better if we all had known to purchase the cord up front, but that is to late for many people.

I am asking for your help on this one because I don't want angry customers and I don't want a pissed off DOC..

Thanks, Gerry in Idaho[/quote]