Odd behavior - XLT

[LiterBikeHunter]

This is my first post but I've been visiting the site for quite some time now. Forgive me if I'm in the wrong area but I wasn't sure where to post my question.

I recently upgraded to a used Whites XLT Spectrum E-Series with the factory coil. I have to say, I've been quite pleased with it but recently I've began questioning its abilities. Within the first month I found 3 silve coins in my front yard using the factory coin/jewelry program whithout changing a single setting. Since then, I've recovered nothing but junk and clad. I must admit, I've since learned about all te settings and have been fiddling with them to see how I do.

So, when I began questioning the detector's abilities, I decided to run a test. I dug a 3" plug and placed a dime at the bottom and replaced the plug. The dime was laying flat but I couldn't get a signal without sweeping the area over and over. Here is what I did prior to running the test:

1. With the machine on, I pulled the battery for 30 seconds
2. Replaced the battery and powered up the machine and did an air/ground balance
3. Started up the coin/jewelry program

- No signal

In order to get a signal, I had to increase the pre amp gain and sensitivity. Even then, the signal was broken and the machine wasn't really stable.

Is this common place for the machine or could I have a bad coil? I'm not sure how the coil could go from good to bad in a matter of a few weeks though.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mickfin]

LBH Call Whites???? I dana???? Mickfin

 

[LiterBikeHunter]

Thanks for the response mickfin.

I'm not quite sure either. The more I thought about it today, the more I began to question the battery I was using. I'm not sure if I had the rechargeable in or the one that takes AA batteries. I'm going to pick up a fresh set of AA batteries and try this little experiment again. I will also try it on a completely charged battery pack as well......

Do you think it's too much to ask of my machine to pick up a dime under a 3" plug? I'm thinking it shouldn't be a problem. It's not like it has been sitting in the packed dirt and corroded.

 

[Monte]

This is my first post but I've been visiting the site for quite some time now.

Welcome, and let's hope you get answers to resolve your issues. By the way, 'answers' can include having your XLT checked out by the factory, if needed.

I recently upgraded to a used Whites XLT Spectrum E-Series with the factory coil. I have to say, I've been quite pleased with it but recently I've began questioning its abilities. Within the first month I found 3 silve coins in my front yard using the factory coin/jewelry program whithout changing a single setting. Since then, I've recovered nothing but junk and clad. I must admit, I've since learned about all te settings and have been fiddling with them to see how I do.

You could have just been lucky to start in your yard at the best location, then go back to a coin-free, junk-bearing area.

It takes a while to make sure you learn what the XLT settings can and can't do for you. I wish they would have produced a simpler XLT and just eliminated all the adjustments that really are not needed or used, or those that can mess things up quickly. I'm an XLT fan, by the way, and they have always rewarded me well. I use the right coil for the sites I hunt and for my needs, and I use my main custom program a good 95% to 98% of the time w/o a problem.

So, when I began questioning the detector's abilities, I decided to run a test. I dug a 3" plug and placed a dime at the bottom and replaced the plug. The dime was laying flat but I couldn't get a signal without sweeping the area over and over.

Dime = A Small Sized Target.
A 3" Plug = Freshly disturbed ground.
Reality = A 3" deep smaller target in disturbed ground and the search coil worked a little more than 3" above the smaller coin in freshly disturbed ground.
Question: = Did you first double check all the area around the plug location, in the All Metal or Pinpoint mode to make sure there was no masking trash nearby?

In order to get a signal, I had to increase the pre amp gain and sensitivity. Even then, the signal was broken and the machine wasn't really stable.

I seldom have a problem on a naturally-located coin at 3", but it can happen. I also don't usually use the stock 950 coil because many sites I hunt are trashier and the bigger coil can see, or be influenced, by nearby targets easier. Also, the factory programs are, in my opinion, a bit mellow for my needs. My AC Sensitivity on all my custom programs is set at '75', and my Pre-Amp gain, to start out in my main-use Bushwhack program, is '10.' I increase it if things are quiet and I can or need to, or I reduce it a little, if needed, to gain stability if it's noisy. The preset setting of '2' is a bit low for me and the ground I usually hunt.

Is this common place for the machine or could I have a bad coil?

A bad coil? Yes, that's possible. It might be working, but not working well. I have had a coil or two that were "out-of-spec" and sometimes they appeared to be working, but when repaired or replaced I could note the differences.

I'm not sure how the coil could go from good to bad in a matter of a few weeks though.

It can happen or, like I said, it might have worked to find those dimes but still not be up to par.

I'm not quite sure either. The more I thought about it today, the more I began to question the battery I was using. I'm not sure if I had the rechargeable in or the one that takes AA batteries. I'm going to pick up a fresh set of AA batteries and try this little experiment again. I will also try it on a completely charged battery pack as well......

As long as the batter strength is sufficient you don't need to replace with fresh batteries or recharge the rechargeables.

Do you think it's too much to ask of my machine to pick up a dime under a 3" plug? I'm thinking it shouldn't be a problem. It's not like it has been sitting in the packed dirt and corroded.

Yes, there are many times a good detector can't do well on a target in freshly disturbed ground. This is especially true with some adjustment settings, to include Sensitivity, Pre-Amp gain, Discrimination, etc., etc. A coin sitting in packed dirt for a prolonged period mainly means the ground surrounding the coin is not disturbed and things ought to be in your favor. There is only a little consideration to be applied to 'corroded' as it related to a non-ferrous target.

If you have another search coil, give it a try. If you can get the XLT to the factory, have them check it out.

Other than that, give the XLT some time and learn the settings slowly, one at a time, until you're comfortable with it. Also, use the best sweep speed for it.

Monte

 

[LiterBikeHunter]

Thanks for the great info Monte!

Reading through your comments, I learned something I had forgotten. I knew that freshly dug soil broke the "halo" effect and weakened the signal. I can only assume that in my concern I had forgotten this.

Additionally, I have to admit that my yard appears to have been a junk yard at one point. I know it wasn't but I do know there were several structures that are non existent and quite possibly could have burnt down at one point judging by the amount of charcoal and broken glass I've found. While my home was built in 48, the garage and drive were built in 78. I'm thinking that a lot of the soil was brought in and mixed with the soil that was dug to build them. If that's the case, luck of the draw has probably played a significant factor.

I'm in the process of looking for a smaller coil but I'm having a difficult time choosing between the Royal 800 8" coil and the Bullseye 5.3 7" coil. Any recommendations? I also hunt a site that dates back to 1864 [and before] that seems to have quite a bit of iron and larger junk in the area.

I think tonight I'm going to clean the machine up real nice and hard reset it so I can get it out to the old homesites I hunt.

By any chance, would you know what a "Boque" from the 1800's would be? One of the maps from 1874 show a building labeled "Parker Boque" but I can't find anything on it.

Again, thank you for the help!

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Your last question was about the word "Boque". I have known people having a family name of Boque.

 

[LiterBikeHunter]

Your last question was about the word "Boque". I have known people having a family name of Boque.

I found some information online to suggest this as well but it doesn't fit the format of the map. Every property is marked off and labeled with the property owners name but this is the only one that has the actual building labeled.

Hopefully I can get out and detect it this evening and find something that will shed some light on the matter.

 

[LiterBikeHunter]

Well, I think I have figured out the "odd behavior". It appears to have been the swing nut (AKA: ME).

I believe I finally have her dialed in for digging coins and I might actually be learning the sweet sounds she makes. I am still fighting the urge to dig every single tone I get but at this point, I need to save some wear and tear on the old joints. Sometimes I still wonder if I have missed something but I'm not going to let that bring me down.

Unfortunately, I didn't get out to detect that old home site but my vacation has just begun so who knows what the future holds!

 

[purplesage]

QUOTE


I seldom have a problem on a naturally-located coin at 3", but it can happen. I also don't usually use the stock 950 coil because many sites I hunt are trashier and the bigger coil can see, or be influenced, by nearby targets easier. Also, the factory programs are, in my opinion, a bit mellow for my needs. My AC Sensitivity on all my custom programs is set at '75', and my Pre-Amp gain, to start out in my main-use Bushwhack program, is '10.' I increase it if things are quiet and I can or need to, or I reduce it a little, if needed, to gain stability if it's noisy. The preset setting of '2' is a bit low for me and the ground I usually hunt.

Hey Monte,
Can you explain the whole quote for me?? Especially the AC Sensitivity, custom programs set at '75', Pre-Amp gain and the Bushwhack program. etc. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed!! Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Terry