Motorcycle battery for GTI 2500

[Newfydad]

From what I understand, the GTI 2500 runs on 12 volts (8 "AA" batteries in series). If thats the case, it seems to me it wouldnt be too hard to wire up an adapter so the detector could be run off a small 12V sealed lead-acid motorcycle battery. The battery could be carried in a belt clip or fanny pack or whatever. The immediate advantages I see are:
1. Should provide days of operation for camping or prospecting expeditions.
2. Will provide full operating voltage. (Eight nicads at 1.2v each only provide 9.6 volts).
3. The battery is easily rechargeable at home or from a vehicle.

Before I try to re-invent the wheel I was just wondering if anyone has tried this or a similar idea?

 

[rbholt80]

i did it with a fisher and it worked well. I still have my setup but haven't used it in a wile. I built a small voltage regulator for mine to drop my voltage to 9.6 volts from 13.4 volts. But if you can use the full voltage of the batt then there isnt a need for a regulator.

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

lead acid battery for the Explorer.
Worked great.
Next, I used a 7.2 amp hour gel cell lead acid battery (this was physically about the size of a small motorcycle battery).
It worked very well. Charged it after 6 or 7 hunts........

BUT.......

Main issue as to why I did away with either was of the extra weight( even though I used shoulder harness back back and on a belt clip) and the need for that extra wire that came off the battery pack to the detector. I found the less wires coming off the detector , the more comfortable for me.

That's why wireless headphones are always a good option( if you can get ones that work well) when it comes to doing away with that other "nuisance" attachment to a metal detector.

Ultimately I went back to obtaining longer lasting, home and car fast charging system for the 8 x AA requirements for the Explorer. Added to that , I always keep some reasonable quality alkaline cells on hand.

As a test run , maybe first make up a mock setup that regards the weight and the wire requirements to try such a system before you go through the trouble of actually putting the real thing together.

David Di