question about the tabs on Sovereign GT battery packs.

[JASONSPAZ1]

I can kind of be obsessive compulsive about my detector. I noticed something today that I want to know if other people have noticed. The Rechargeable pack and the alkaline pack seem to have a flaw that "can" become a problem. You know the two tabs that you have to depress to put in and remove the battery pack. Well has anyone else noticed that sometimes they stick and do not automatically pop into the slots and you have to push them in so they seat in place? They also look like they may crack at any moment. Mine have not cracked but today for no reason at all one of the tabs does not click into place. It is simple on my part as all I have to do is just flick it and it seats in place. Just curious on what everyone else's opinion is on this.

Thanks in advance
HH
Jason

 

[Nauti]

I'm a little like you in the fact i like everything to be perfect with my detector...it's nearly a compulsion with me also.I've noticed myself that the tabs on the batteries look as though they could be a weak point and this has played on my mind although as yet i have never had a problem.I console myself in the fact that the 'weak' point is on the battery casing and not the control box itself and also if the tabs did break i would still be able to hunt.....just put the battery in and hold it with duck tape.I would definately be more concerned if the tabs were part of the control box itself which would be a serious design flaw.As i said though i've never had a problem with the tabs cracking...i'm just careful when i'm removing or fitting the battery.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

Thanks Neil. You have calmed my OCD

HH
Jason

 

[deepdiger60]

I know the feeling it,s like getting your first dent on your sports car what i did is tryed to put the battery in upside down and got the tabs stuck by pulling it back out i noticed i caused stress cracks on each tab you can see them in my photo from now on i gotta be more careful !! dang it

 

[ZOFCHAK]

This has happened on several Sovereigns I have owned and while none of mine have completely broken off I have seen others with broken tabs. Here's what I do to lessen the problem. It's a thin stainless steel washer that slides into the half round opening on the back of the battery, The line is braided fishing line, but I Imagine a couple pieces of dental floss would work as well.

This way you don't have to overextend the tabs while trying to pull the battery out.

 

[tiggar]

I have done this to both of my battery packs, and Zofchak is spot on with this, it works great,

thanks Zofchak,
hh,
tiggar

 

[deepdiger60]

This has happened on several Sovereigns I have owned and while none of mine have completely broken off I have seen others with broken tabs. Here's what I do to lessen the problem. It's a thin stainless steel washer that slides into the half round opening on the back of the battery, The line is braided fishing line, but I Imagine a couple pieces of dental floss would work as well.

This way you don't have to overextend the tabs while trying to pull the battery out.

Great idea i just did it i had a copper washer that just fit tight in that half circle i noticed the tabs do not lock in tight down which is good because then you dont have to depress them to remove the battery Thanks Zof ..Jim

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

Hey Deep Digger,I put some glue over the tabs on my battery pack. Right exactly where the pressure cracks look like they are about to appear on your pack. As with some of my other hobbies I know super glue can reinforce plastic a little bit. I or we just have to be careful with the tabs. nauti Neil has the right idea as we can be relieved that the tabs are part of the batter pack and not the control box itself.

Take Care
HH
Jason

 

[deepdiger60]

Hey Deep Digger,I put some glue over the tabs on my battery pack. Right exactly where the pressure cracks look like they are about to appear on your pack. As with some of my other hobbies I know super glue can reinforce plastic a little bit. I or we just have to be careful with the tabs. nauti Neil has the right idea as we can be relieved that the tabs are part of the batter pack and not the control box itself.

Take Care
HH
Jason

I did that also with super glue on both battery pack the blue rechargable pack had a pretty good crack seems fine now thanks Jim

 

[Critterhunter]

If you do lose the tabs then what about using a couple big rubber bands around the entire control box to hold the battery holder in place? Less mess than using tape I would think.

 

[tiggar]

that sounds like a good idea Critterhunter, that would probably do the trick, and like you said, be less of a mess than tape....

hh,
tiggar

 

[Neil]

This has happened on several Sovereigns I have owned and while none of mine have completely broken off I have seen others with broken tabs. Here's what I do to lessen the problem. It's a thin stainless steel washer that slides into the half round opening on the back of the battery, The line is braided fishing line, but I Imagine a couple pieces of dental floss would work as well.

This way you don't have to overextend the tabs while trying to pull the battery out.

This is a great tip if it works. With the Sov no longer being advertised and might be on its way out, taking good care of your battery pack is even more important.

 

[gim]

Neil you stated(the Sov no longer being advertised) where did you get that I just went to the minelab site and Its still there see http://www.minelab.com/usa/products/treasure-detectors/sovereign-gt.

 

[elki1052]

Thank you ZOFCACK for that Idea, I will follow your mod on my battery packs.
and thank you to all for exchanging ideas as well. this machine is new to me and I love it!! I whant to keep it for as long is posible!

 

[Neil]

I was going by an ad that was in W&E treasure mag. It reminded me of the Advantage, minelab stopped including it in their advertising before they stopped selling them. Here is a pic, not the best pic, but it shows their hobby detector lineup. No Sov as you can see.
Just a guess on my part. They could just be repackaging it/updating it, but note they have also stopped making the meter and I think those were a popular option.

 

[Neil]

I just sent minelab an email asking if the Sov is being discontinued, will post the reply when/if I get one.

 

[imalookin2]

This has happened on several Sovereigns I have owned and while none of mine have completely broken off I have seen others with broken tabs. Here's what I do to lessen the problem. It's a thin stainless steel washer that slides into the half round opening on the back of the battery, The line is braided fishing line, but I Imagine a couple pieces of dental floss would work as well.

This way you don't have to overextend the tabs while trying to pull the battery out.

Do like Zofchak shows. This will extend the life of the battery clips. Also get some rubber half boot toggles for the 4 switches to keep out debris and mist. They are not cheap but worth it. Bought mine at Dixie Metal Detectors. They are about $25 shipped for the 4. Thanks John for the tips!

 

[Neil]

I just sent minelab an email asking if the Sov is being discontinued, will post the reply when/if I get one.

Got a reply today from Minelab, from Brian Erne, and he said the Sov is not being discontinued. Good news!

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

Ugh! my OCD kicked into high gear and I broke the tabs on my recharge pack by wiggling them to much. I am embaressed and upset. So I just ordered a new pack. Oh well live and learn

 

[Nauti]

Good news Neil...i was starting to wonder if i should buy another as a back up.