Well, the Aqua-Ace 150 was a really interesting water machine indeed. 
I took it to a nearby lake to see how it would perform. I used the following settings:
Sensitivity - Full
Mode - Jewelry
I hunted in depths up to about nipple line, so the searchcoil connection was submerged in the water. My first signal was a "BLOINK" (water boink), and after my second scoopful, out came a quarter, which had been in the water for quite a while. I got another signal 10 minutes later, but not a "Bloink". It was one of those iffy, sharp sounding signals. I dug it and out came a gold colored foil chocolate coin wrapper. Well, my eyes nearly popped out of my head until I realized that it was only a piece of junk. Well, a couple of minutes later, I got another "BLOINK" and I carefully pinpointed the target, eventually using my one toe as a center marker. My first scoop brought out a dime. I noticed that the coil didn't false at all in the water, unless I hit it against a rock, or hunted in the seaweed. I continued in the seaweed, but turned the sensitivity down a notch. It worked fine then. The rod was nicely balanced, very light yet responsive to the slightest arm movement. I prefer the straight shaft over the "S" rod, as it is less wear and tear on my elbows. The electronics in a camera case weren't even heavy at all. And, they slightly touched my shoulder giving it more stability with less weight. The audio through the camera case was perfect for me to hear, and did not draw attention to the funny guy in the water listening to his camera.
Well, shortly thereafter, the machine went erratic. I hunted for another hour with my other machine, then headed home. I took my search coil extension connectors apart, removing heat shrink tubing and 3 layers of electric tape. Guess what...It sprung a leak and the connectors were wet. I shook the water out of them, dried the connectors with a hair dryer, then retested the coil. Now it was working 100%.
So, after a little research brainstorming on my leaky connectors, I was told to get some silicone sealing tape wrap, and wrap it tight over the connector, a couple of layers, and it should hold. I have a friend who used some of this on his machine, and it lasted 2 years (when he sold it) and probably even more. Below is a pic of the product. It cost over $7.00/roll, not cheap but it should do the job.
<center><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/John-Edmonton/tape2.jpg">
Over all, it is going to be a great water hunter. Light, cheap to build, great Id (notching, pre-set programs and "BLOINK TONE" the sound of money) easy on the muscles and loves gold!
So, never give up I say! I'll fix it up tomorrow and hopefully give it another test this week end..
Any other suugestions for water proofing connectors are welcome.
Stay tuned for water test #2........
<center>
I took it to a nearby lake to see how it would perform. I used the following settings:Sensitivity - Full
Mode - Jewelry
I hunted in depths up to about nipple line, so the searchcoil connection was submerged in the water. My first signal was a "BLOINK" (water boink), and after my second scoopful, out came a quarter, which had been in the water for quite a while. I got another signal 10 minutes later, but not a "Bloink". It was one of those iffy, sharp sounding signals. I dug it and out came a gold colored foil chocolate coin wrapper. Well, my eyes nearly popped out of my head until I realized that it was only a piece of junk. Well, a couple of minutes later, I got another "BLOINK" and I carefully pinpointed the target, eventually using my one toe as a center marker. My first scoop brought out a dime. I noticed that the coil didn't false at all in the water, unless I hit it against a rock, or hunted in the seaweed. I continued in the seaweed, but turned the sensitivity down a notch. It worked fine then. The rod was nicely balanced, very light yet responsive to the slightest arm movement. I prefer the straight shaft over the "S" rod, as it is less wear and tear on my elbows. The electronics in a camera case weren't even heavy at all. And, they slightly touched my shoulder giving it more stability with less weight. The audio through the camera case was perfect for me to hear, and did not draw attention to the funny guy in the water listening to his camera.
Well, shortly thereafter, the machine went erratic. I hunted for another hour with my other machine, then headed home. I took my search coil extension connectors apart, removing heat shrink tubing and 3 layers of electric tape. Guess what...It sprung a leak and the connectors were wet. I shook the water out of them, dried the connectors with a hair dryer, then retested the coil. Now it was working 100%.
So, after a little research brainstorming on my leaky connectors, I was told to get some silicone sealing tape wrap, and wrap it tight over the connector, a couple of layers, and it should hold. I have a friend who used some of this on his machine, and it lasted 2 years (when he sold it) and probably even more. Below is a pic of the product. It cost over $7.00/roll, not cheap but it should do the job.
<center><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/John-Edmonton/tape2.jpg">
Over all, it is going to be a great water hunter. Light, cheap to build, great Id (notching, pre-set programs and "BLOINK TONE" the sound of money) easy on the muscles and loves gold!
So, never give up I say! I'll fix it up tomorrow and hopefully give it another test this week end..
Any other suugestions for water proofing connectors are welcome.
Stay tuned for water test #2........
<center>
