Vaquero malfuncion

[bipListener]

Hi there;

I want to trace some strategies and I would like some help, from you; if it is possible;

Lets try;

I just bought one used vaquero, with an known problem; ( paid less for that ); lets call it as (B Unit)

The seller describe that he does not know what is happening, but ; the flowing; is the fact;

new batteries are installed and:
1. it does not detect until near 2 inches for small objects
2. it does detect about 4 inches for large ones;

Everything looks good except those two points;

So , as I have a very well working vaquero unit (lets call it as unit A) , I bought "B" one, at least parts replacement;

But
As hopes are the least things to be discarted, I want to do some tests; on my new not so good vaquero unit ("B") to find more about what is happening and may be ( just may be ) give him a second chance !

My strategies steps;

A -- good vaquero unit;
B -- my new sick unit;

Step 1
Attach "A" coil at "B" central and see if the problem persists; if it goes away , call for a new coil; and <g> I have two vaquero units !!!

Step 2
Attach "B" coil at "A" central, if the problem goes away ( as it is "A" my good Central ) , ok I win one step coil; and maybe send the "B" central to Tesoro;


My fears is if (step 2) will not put my (A) good vaquero unit in risk, if one short circuit coil can damage my good central;


Perhaps some of you can give me more advices about what I can do, and if I can do to isolate what is happening to may (B) vaquero !


Forwards Thanks ; !!

 

[BarberBill]

I''d try the "new" to you coil on the known working Vaq and the known working coil on the non-working vaq and see what happens. You may end up sending the uniit and coil to Tesoro, but I'd check what's mentioned first. I've never heard of a shorted coil or broken coil wire causing any damage to the main box. I have seen the problem you describe blamed on the manual ground balance being extremely out of proper adjustment. Good luck, if all else fails, call Tesoro, they''re very helpful.
BB

 

[mudpuppy]

If you have a ohm meter, you might want to test suspected coil for a short..if that is your fears of ruining your brain on your A rig...I liked what Barber Bill recommended..you are doing good diligence in figuring out if its the coil or brain..there will be along shortly some people that are very knowledgable about getting into and adjusting the brain on your B unit if that is the problem...best of luck!
Mud.

 

[MarkCZ]

Swap coils and see if the problem swaps as well. A bad coil should cause any harm to your good detector other that do what it does on the other unit.

Mark

 

[Sven]

Do what others suggested, try known good working coil on problem unit.
If it now works normal, you know its the coil.
If it is the coil, undo and pull the coil connector out of the housing check for shorts or broken wire, bad solder joint.

If the problem unit is still not working with the good coil.
Could be some one was inside the housing, Tesoro uses stiff wires inside, easy to break one off the circuit board or weaken one to the point of breaking.
Check the wires connected to the external pot controls as well.

 

[bipListener]

Thanks, to all Really;

I 'll be glad to post here my results as soon as my sick unit arrives and all tests done;

I agree that it has good chances to be ground balance mistaken setting; manual ground balance could be little bit confused, and it's no end knob could be trick too;

I must say, that I tried to explain that to it's last owner , without success,
I told him to try with new batteries and
try to go the end of GB knob, anticlockwise and came back twice;


In few days it will be here and I'll share the results !!

Thanks Again !

 

[Joe Z]

In the book i read it said to turn the ground balance 5 turns to the right (you will feel a very slight resistance) then turn it to the left 2 turns and center it at 12 o clock (That's your neutral Position).... ground balance from there and see what happens.... (It's a Free Test so nothing to lose)

 

[Digga03]

what about my problem very similar but different !

coil works to some degree on the C and plug it in to the V and it goes nuts !! V works fine with other coils so does the C so the coil in question is braking down somewhere, will I be able to fix it myself with a ohm meter and some solder ?? does the ohm meter only test wires to the coil windings? or beyond? not above trying to fix it myself with some help

D03

 

[bipListener]

It's finally arrives ! and...

Bad luck for me

the coil is ok; and all gb setting too !!

When I plug my "sure good" coil at the knowing bad central unit, it's the same behavior when it is plugged with it's own coil;

and finally;

The coil from the "bad central vaq" , when it is plugged to my sure good central unit , it works very stable, and like it does with "good coil";

So;


Setting the bad vaquero, as manual describes for air testing ; it presents the following symptoms;

1. It does not read small objects after 3 inches
2. Until 3 inches , for small objects , It does not "pin-point" position ( lets describe that it crakes and pops , all the coil circumference ), good tones are present , but not at the pin-point position, they are random;
3. Larger objects ( a kitchen knife as I tested) it goes at maximum 5 inches, but completely unstable;

also noticed that;
All the knobs are not smooth to turn down or up as my new vaquero unit !, they seam to be quite too easy to move then , likely they are too old or broken ( I don't know if it has some related )
I use my silver Umax for 2 years and all it's knobs are quite smooth as they where new, until today;


When we start , the bateries test sounds good to me;
It's sound looks like normal; also when detecting 1 or 2 inches objects;

So .....

Now I think ; I'm looking for a new or used central unit , for one 4 pin coil , ( could be vaquero or any other ) ! !!! perhaps cibola !

Any tips ??

Thanks for all !!

 

[chainsmoker]

If you didn't pay too much for the B unit you could send it in to Tesoro to check it out. It sounds strange that all the pots feel bad. The odds of all the pots failing aren't good. If you're comfortable doing so try spraying some contact cleaner in the pots.

 

[Fletch88]

Sounds like it may have been dunked in saltwater