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:usaflag: Sovereign GT In A Box!! :detecting:

C

Cupajo

Active member
Reading the recent water proofing posts clinched it for me, life expectancy of an unprotected GT hunting carefully with standard weather proof cover is said to be 4-5 years!! (For a machine that costs $1,000.00 to replace at today's price!!)

Keep the little sucker clean and dry and no one knows how long it might last!

Here is my attempt and let me tell Ya Friends, this is no dainty solution, but it works very well.

[attachment 212890 Misc035Large.jpg]

My solution on how to carry this thing!! (First Ya needs a soft platform to rest it on and you can see I was thinkin ahead!!)

Then some way to secure it for carrying.

[attachment 212891 Misc037Large.jpg]

[attachment 212892 Misc038Large.jpg]

Strap around neck and around waist.

[attachment 212893 Misc039Large.jpg]

Drilled holes to allow strap attaching.

[attachment 212894 Misc042Large.jpg]

And tote the thing on the beach for a while to see if it is going to be worth the trouble.

Next post has more info and pics.

Many thanks Bob for your pictorial offering that got me moving on this project.

CJ
 
A few closeups to sort out some details--------------

I installed a close coupled 90 Deg. Elbow from Radio Shack ear phone connector to make for extra clearance and routed the earphone cable under the control housing. I have no plans to change earphones, so I silicone greased the cable and pulled it through the clam seal without splitting the seal.

[attachment 212898 Misc045Large.jpg]

Carefully drilled holes for SS D rings I had from my sailing days.

[attachment 212899 Misc049Large.jpg]

[attachment 212900 Misc051Large.jpg]

I'm expecting these holes to stand up to normal heavy use, but I would never subject this creation to really heavy use!!

[attachment 212901 Misc052Large.jpg]

[attachment 212902 Misc053Large.jpg]

Coil wire routed carefully!!

[attachment 212903 Misc047Large.jpg]

I placed the clams on the bottom to allow some clearance to the control housing in case of water incursion! ("Leak" to you Land Lubbers!)

All clam contact points were liberally doped with marine silicone sealer after assembly to add a bit of extra protection that can be removed when I want to change coils.

Took her out for a waterline wet sand hunt and found I could handle the awkward looking package without problems.

Next----------------leak test and water hunt---------------stay tuned!!

CJ
 
Looks good should be interesting what it'll find for you.
Good mod !
 
CJ,
Looks like a nice setup but that neck strap may be uncomfortable after awhile. You may want to try using two straps that attach to each side of the lower part of the box, goes around to your back, then crosses and each end then goes up over your shoulders to attach to the upper part of the box. This will keep the weight off of your neck. Hope this makes sense. ~John
 
The lower strap holds the rig secure and the neck strap steadies it carrying maybe 1/3 of the weight.

These straps were from a couple of inexpensive carry cases I get from conventions I attended over the years and are adjustable w/sturdy plastic hooks on the ends.

As you can see, I have managed quite well for many years with a "load forward", so this is a breeze!!

I will have to let you all know how it is for water hunting, but I'm finding it works OK for above the water line.

I adjust all my settings before strapping the rig on and use my adapted Garrett's earphone volume controls to set a comfortable level and start digging.

Regards to all,

CJ
 
CJ...You come up with the neatest ideas...I like it...lightens the load on the arms...
But now I got this rap song running through my head....

GT in a box....GT in a box....GT in a box....GT in a cardboard BOX!!!...lol
Was a spoof song I did when I was in my 20's and homeless...Only it went...Livin' in a Box...
Man have I come a long ways...NEVER want to go back there again...

HH,
 
GoGo,

Thanks for your kind words Friend!

I can't take the credit for this one as there have been posts on these and other forums for a while about this mod.

I may be the only person that gave his case a 5+ hour leak test before hunting in the salt water with it though. (No Leaks!!)

I am planning to have a leak alarm in there before I water hunt with it too.

Yeah, I wouldn't wanna go back either!

Regards and best wishes,

CJ
 
GoGo,

Thanks for your kind words Friend!

I can't take the credit for this one as there have been posts on these and other forums for a while about this mod.

I may be the only person that gave his case a 5+ hour leak test before hunting in the salt water with it though. (No Leaks!!)

I am planning to have a leak alarm in there before I water hunt with it too.

Yeah, I wouldn't wanna go back either!

Regards and best wishes,

CJ
 
Fortunately there is enough room in this case for a couple of leak alarm options.

This one can be bought at Home Depot for about $10.00, slightly more at Lowe's, and has a steady, fairly loud shriek.

[attachment 213039 Misc073Large.jpg]


This one requires a 9V battery which is supposed to last up to five years (if alkaline.).


[attachment 213040 Misc071Large.jpg]

The circuit board and battery are removed from the case via 4-screws and placed through a slit cut in a sandwich bag which is then sealed with marine silicone seal. (The battery must be wrapped with plastic electrical tape or large heat shrink tubing etc to prevent shorting to any part of the circuit board!)

[attachment 213041 Misc069Large.jpg]


They will fit nicely in the space as shown.


[attachment 213042 Misc067Large.jpg]

The small plate with the metal button water contacts will then be Velcro'd to the bottom of the case (so it can be removed for testing) where an 1/8" or so of water will trigger the alarm!

My favorite is one I have had working in my cellar for years and I don't know if it is available these days. (As a repair plumber I must advise you all that a cellar is a hole in the ground waiting to be filled with water and a homeowner should have a water alarm there!!!!!)

[attachment 213043 Misc065Large.jpg]


It requires 3-AAA batteries and emits a slightly louder, wavering shriek.

[attachment 213044 Misc061Large.jpg]


The electronics can be left in the small box and sealed in a sandwich bag with marine silicone.. (not shown)

The contacts are short pins that can be set pretty close to the bottom of the case via the Velcro strip that comes attached to the back of the box.

Continued below-----------
 
In conclusion----------------

[attachment 213045 Misc060Large.jpg]


I do prefer the older version and would happily pay twice as much for it as I paid for the other.

It is much more convenient to handle with no need to expose the circuit board.

They must be tested every time the case is opened to turn on the detector.

GL&HH Friends,

CJ
 
the GT in France in the box for me too
I put the black liquid rubber around the site at risk cableclam then I tested it in 50 liters of water for 24 hours
Rajae, Bordeaux - France.
 
Well done Rajae!

I find the arrangement to work very well on the beach where a scoop prevents bending and stooping, but where I have to kneel to dig it gets in the way.

I am forced to remove it for each target retrieval.

I am fortunate to have a spare (10X12" SEF) coil and a set of good earphones that I can use when I want to hunt dry land.

I use the Minlab Weather cover to protect the control.

The cover isn't great, but is better than a bare control box!

I plan to use the water-proof box on rare occasions and never for more than splash/brief (very shallow) submersion applications.

GL&HH Friend,

CJ
 
As long as it doesn't leak, I wouldn't worry about what it looks like - if it looks too good, someone will want to steal it; if they can't figure out what it is = it must be dangerous to them; which would suit me just fine if someone thinks that way. Good construction, love the stress relief on the cable too. Well done.
 
If the box gets in the way while digging, why don't you just sling the control box to your back, same position as in the front, except to the back......NGE
 
Strangely, the box isn't in the way most of the time!!

I prefer being able to see this contraption so I can watch for problems anyway.

Thanks for your reply!

CJ
 
looks purdy :p how much did the whole waterproofing setup cost you? i'm getting a sov gt soon and might just do a mod like this in the future
 
So whats the name of the box you used and names of the white things that you used to seal the wires with, any links would help. I plan on trying this myself soon. Thanks. hh an gl -Joe
 
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