The Only Weak Link To Break That I'm Aware Of On The GT Hardware, Happened To Me Today, But I've Got A Solution

[Critterhunter]

I was out hunting today and noticed that the alkaline battery holder (which I run a small/light 3 cell lipo in to save more weight) was sitting partly cocked out of the bottom of my GT. I took a closer look and saw that one of the plastic thumb tabs to lock the pack in place had broke. I put the broken tab into my pouch as I think I can fix that with some good hobby grade epoxy (good epoxy does wonders).

But anyway, I've got any even better solution to the problem for now. I'm going to use the cover from my rechargeable pack. If you pry the lid off the rechargeable pack a bit and use a butter knife to wiggle in there you can separate some rubber like glue that is holding the thing closed so it won't slide open. With a little effort it will finally come lose and you can slide the door off. Once it's slide all the way off as far as it will go, you can then pry on one of the corners of the lid and it will pop off. I already did this a year or so ago just so I could see what was going on with the size cells in that thing. No wonder it's heavy, because it's using Sub A cells.

Either way, now that I think about it I'm not sure if the thumb tabs are on the lid or the holder it's self? Been a while since I noticed that, so maybe this is all for not as my suggestion to you guys who run into a similar problem. Regardless, if that's not the case then I'll go the epoxy route with the tab, or maybe just use a big heavy rubber band to strap around the control box and hold the battery pack in place. As it stands right now it's still usable and I was able to get a day's hunt it. I just don't like the idea that the pack is only being held in by one tab.

If anybody has had this problem, which I've seen several people mention over the last few years, it seems to be the only real weak link in the GT's hardware. If you have a solution yourself please share it with everybody.

 

[deepdiger60]

Both my tabs broke off on the blue box battery but you know what don't matter the battery fits like a bug snug in a rug it ain't goin anywhere i even tyred shakin the hell out of it not coming lose any time soon , and it pulls right out with a little effort with both pinky's , i should send photo to Minelab Jim

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Critter and Jim.Thanks for the tip.HH Ron

 

[Gary in Daytona]

n/t

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[Critterhunter]

Actually you gave me an even better idea...How about just sticking a small thin piece of foam tape along the entire inside of the square holder on the control box at the coil connector end of the box? That way it would snug the battery holder up real good like you said and no risk of it falling out.

 

[deepdiger60]

I did the Gorilla tape fix good idea sort of like a stick on tab and that stuff is tuff works great it should last the season i dont hunt that much where i need to recharge the battery twice a week , Thanks all for the good ideas almost like new Jim

 

[Critterhunter]

OIC....So you are using the tape to hold the broken tabs on so they'll catch on the GT's case like they should and hold the battery in? Another good idea. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

i had one tab brake a while back..also thought i could fix it with pvc cement--problem is the corners need to remain slightly flexable,believe me easier said than done...my fix failed,however i was given a few tips such as taking a 1/4 flat washer with a short piece of dental floss tied thru the hole and just wedge it in that half moon cutout between the 2 terminals...the other tip someone suggested was using some of that 2 piece velcro stuff in such a way that the battery is still detachable ....good luck....as our gts get older i think we will all have this problem eventually....