TIPS and Information

for Prospectors and Treasure Hunters.

This months article is dedicated to two great detectorists, who are no longer with us . The first is Don Cooper, who previously owned the Gold Mining Centre and was well respected for his knowledge and activity in prospecting, treasure hunting and diving. The other person is my father, Ken Stearnes, who had determination and dedication in the hobby of coin and relic hunting. Hopefully we all may realise this level of achievement and satisfaction they showed.

Don Cooper ran a similar article in this magazine in the mid 1980's and some of this information will also be used as it is still quite relevant today. I would also like to bring to the attention of every one reading this article, that I am a qualified Electronic Technician and obtained my certificates whilst serving in the Royal Australian Airforce, which I joined in 1968.

Now lets get onto business.

GARRETT ULTRA GTA 1000. ## Occasionally I have found that when using this detector, a background chatter can occur in some instances. To rectify this, if it ever occurs, is by taking out the last segment (no. 24 ) on the display with your discriminator button. This will not effect your detecting results as there are generally no items detected in Australia at this high setting. It has always been a problem with most detectors , that detecting close to metal playground equipment, that the detector really goes beserk. With this detector, reduce your depth (gain) to minimum and you will find that you can virtually work right next to this equipment. You will loose some depth but you will be surprised at what items you will detect that have previously missed by others.

MINELAB EUREKA ACE DUAL. ## When using this detector in 19.5 Khz and the batteries get a bit low, the unit can become unstable, making it impossible to detect. By changing the frequency to 8 Khz, it will normally stabalise and detection will then be possible. The 8 Khz mode is not as critical to battery condition as the 19.5 Khz mode.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. ## In an issue of this magazine in the latter part of 1994, there was an article on these type of batteries which was slightly incorrect.  It stated to completely discharge rechargeable batteries and then to recharge them fully so as to eliminate any memory effect to them. Under no circumstances should rechargeable batteries be completely discharged. If this does ever happen, a risk of damage can occur and the batteries can be ruined permantly. What actually happens if these batteries are discharged completely, is that one or more cells can obtain a negative voltage. If this does occur, the battery or battery pack will no longer accept a charge and therefore will have to be replaced. This then can become a very expensive mistake. What should be done is the battery should only be taken down to a level of no more than 30% of full voltage, ( 12 volts down to say around 4 volts ) and then charged for the appropriate time. I recommend that the batteries be taken down to this level at least every three months and then put on a charge for 24 hours. This basically gives it a deep cycle and will extend the life of these batteries. By doing this, my rechargeable batteries have lasted for approx. 4 years. If storing these batteries for any length of time after they have been used, put them through this charge cycle prior to doing so. About every three months repeat this charging cycle and the batteries will last for quite a long time.

STANDARD TYPE BATTERIES. ## Seeing that we have been discussing batteries, lets look at some problems that are occurring. The majority of detectors will give around 25 to 30 hours operation per set of alkaline batteries. Most companies give an indication of battery use with their detectors, but remember this is normally with alkaline batteries. Headphones should be used, and will also effect battery consumption. A client came in the other day with a Garrett A3B and asked if I could fix it. The problem was that the threshold could not be adjusted. I asked if he had replaced the batteries and of course the answer was yes. Turning the unit on, it went into an extremely low tone and no adjustments could be made.

I still reckoned there was a battery problem. The batteries were a popular brand and by the date stamp should have been O.K. The only way to test batteries properly is under load with a meter. By doing this , it was discovered that one of the 9 volt batteries tested at only 2 volts. When not under load, it read a terminal voltage of 9 volts. Replacing the batteries cured the problem, and the client went away extremely happy as he didn't have to leave the unit behind for repair. Checking batteries correctly, can save money by not sending a detector away for a repair that isn't required. Some people look for some of the cheapest batteries to buy to save money but do not realise that this is really false economy. There must be a reason for them being so cheap, and if they leak in normal circumstances, try to get any compensation from the manufacturer. They will not last as long and sometimes they can even affect the performance of the detector. A person close to me, purchased some of these cheap batteries on the recommendation of a friend. Within 5 minutes he had problems due to the batteries failing. Just think, being out in the field and these cheap batteries let you down, and no other supply of batteries are available. A well organised trip ruined due to trying to save a few dollars on batteries. We recommend using National Panasonic batteries as these are date stamped and have been very reliable. Remember also that batteries brought in remote country areas may have been on the shelf for quite awhile. Another thing to watch for is that the batteries are inserted in their holders correctly. I have detectors come for repair, and the only problem with them is that a battery or two is incorrectly installed. Always check the batteries before blaming the detector.

GOLD PANNING. ## How many times have people gone to pan and there isn't any water in the creeks to do so . If the ground is dry, then dry panning should be tried. The Garrett gravity trap gold pan has been designed for panning wet or dry. Several other brands of pans with similar gravity traps can be used also with success. Never walk away from a promising site due to no water. You can get to areas normally out of reach and a surprise may be install for the person who tries this method.

Hopefully some of these tips will help someone out there. If it only helps one person, then we have succeeded. If there is a question you would like to ask, please send it to us at the "Gold Mining Centre, Shop 2, 1048 Grand Junction Road, Holden Hill, S.A. Australia  5088". We will try to answer your question in future editions of this magazine. Until then, happy hunting.

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