Problem with Minelab Excalibur 1000, need help

[Dakota J]

I have a Minelab Excalibur 1000, have used it with great success for four years. Most all of my hunting is beach hunting. It came with a rechargeable battery pack, which gradually got weaker until late last year wouldn't hold a charge long enough to hunt with. I ordered a battery pack that works on 8 AA batteries, to try that. The first set of 8 lasted a really long time and performed well. Three weeks ago that set started making a noise like a dog barking at me, so I correctly assumed the batteries were getting low. I changed them out and started hunting again. I hunted for just a few hours and turned the unit off, placed it in my truck to change location, and when I took it out and turned it on, all I could get was a solid, non changing for any reason, mid level tone. I could not adjust it out, it was just continuous. I thought maybe it was poor batteries I had installed, so I changed them out for new ones again, and the unit went right back to working great. Then yesterday, same thing, just that annoying solid mid level tone. These batteries had only three hours or so on them,, and they were brand new when I took them out of the package. So, my hunt was over quickly. I brought the unit home and cleaned it up as always, and this morning I try it again and it's working again. I pulled the batteries and checked them, and they were pratically fully charged, hot, so I know it was not the batteries. I cannot understand what the problem is and am wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem. Dakota J in OBX-NC desperate.......

 

[Rick(ND)]

Everything you say sounds like a low battery alert on the Sovereign and being the Excalibur is a water proof Sovereign I would suspect the batteries. By any chance you are not trying to use 8 rechargeable batteries in you Pod are you??If you are that is the problem as you need a full 12 volts and need 10 of them to work being these are only 1.2 volts each you will only get 9.6 volts with 8 and will only run a short time before what you are saying will happen. If you are not make sure you use a good alkaline batteries , not some of those from the $$$ Stores as some of these don't have enough power to run a detector and run down fast.
Like I say it sure sounds like a low battery alert, so that is the first thing i would check and if you have a multi meter you can check the battery pod with all the alkalines in place and it should show a little over 13 volts and no lower than 12 volts as there will be no load on the pack.

Rick

 

[JohnA]

check the battery pod output voltage with a VOM. If it is OK, then it may have to go to Minelab. You can call them and discuss the problem. They give great advice over the phone or e-mail. Dick Schultz is a great source of info.

 

[JohnA]

posted while I was replying. You are exactly right. My Batterys Plus NIMH pack charges slightly past 14 volts. I have found the Excal goes south around 11.7 volts on all my various packs.

 

[Dakota J]

Nope, am not using rechargable batteries. The pod was ordered and bought from Minelab, and it holds only eight AA batteries, and I use the Energizer batteries at 1.5 v each. So that should give me the full amount. Like I said, the first set lasted a long time. Guess I should have kept the second set that I discarded so I could have checked them. Thanks, and let me know if you can come up with anything else. Dakota.........

 

[JoeSWFLA]

DJ,Any chance of outside interference(radio waves etc.),since it happened
when you changed spots.Did it get wet,or just sand hunting-connectors,
coil, coil cover.Another thought,you can get a new rechargable battery
from Onlybatterypacks for about $35. plus shipping(600Mah Nicad-
original size)and change it out yourself if you are handy at all.Then
you can switch it over on the spot to see if it is only the Alk. pack,
or other conditions.I just changed my recharge. pack and it holds
like new.Was thinking of the Alkaline pack,but the price went up
$20 over the holidays.May just get another nicad pack.HH Joe

 

[Joe of South Jersey]

Are you hunting in the water?..........if so look at the connector....you may be shorting across the battery poles, Causing a battery drain. Check that the rubber washer is still in good condition(not compressed). look for discoloration on the male and female battery connector...tell tale sign.

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

could not see it from the outside until it was toooooo late

let us know how u are making out

max