Metal Detectors and Water

[secondcup]

I'm hoping someone can answer this one, as my detector's manual doesn't mention anything on this topic. How much moisture can an average metal detctor handle? I understand that there are detectors made specifically to be used under water, but I'm wondering how close I can get to the water's edge with my White's Prizm VI without destroying it. Can the coil be submerged? Can a strong rain damage the electronics? I was told that it is "water resistant", but I'm not sure what that means. There's a lot of gray area there.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!



SecondCup

 

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[lumbercamp]

I don't know about Whites but 20 years ago my wife and I went canoeing down a creek. We capsized and she lost her glasses. I took my Garrett and tried to find her glasses in about a foot and a half of water. Never found the glasses but it didn't hurt the detector at all.

 

[Mona Lisa]

You can take your detector in water up to the control box.

I've used my DFX in the ocean, but I put clear plastic bags over both the control box and the screen. The bags were a precaution in case I dropped it in the water. I was careful not to let the water get up to the control box.

When it's raining or in the snow, I do the same thing.....just to be sure the water can't get in easily.

 

[secondcup]

Re: Metal Detectors and Water!

Lumber,

Did you submerge the coil? Sounds like you did. If that's the case, it seems like sweeping in the shallow water is no problem.

Mona Lisa,

Again it seems like as long as you protect the display (electronics), you are ok. In your case, did you submerge the coil?

Thanks for the replies...You both are the best!



SecondCup

 

[Sandman]

You can submerge the coil, just don't get the control box wet. This also means not to raise the coil up higher than the control box after you had the coil in the water as water can run down the inside of the shaft and fry the box. Plastic bags on the outside only help keep rain and spray off, they don't make it waterproof.

Water detectors are ones that the whole thing can be submerged even the headphones.

HH,
Sandman

 

[secondcup]

Thanks Sandman...good info!

 

[Rusted_Iron]

An interesting thing about water is, pure water does not conduct electricity. The more dissolved salts in the water, the worse it will damage your electronics.

Plastic bags are also a good idea for your detector even if you don't take it in the ocean, because the salt mist will get inside the detector electronics. Traces of salt on the electronics will trap water, making the detector behave erratically for a long time afterward. I had a unit that was getting really flaky because of this, and I actually rinsed the circuit board with pure isopropyl alcohol (electronics grade, not the stuff with water in it).

Pure distilled, deionized water can actually be used to clean electronics, but I wouldn't recommend this unless you've got the equipment to make sure that water really is pure.

 

[neilo]

Be carefull not all coils are safe to use in the water. Coils of the older type were made up of two halves of plastic,glued around the edge and were hollow inside.When they were put into cold water the air inside would contract sucking water inside through any cracks or cable connections. This would lead to the coil breaking down.
Seeya Neilo

 

[rcasi44]

Your Whites coil is waterproof. I use a sandwich bar over the pod and a bag over the box on my MXT. I have no false hopes it is waterproof. The bags are for the mist and sand. If you wear glasses and even if you aren't that close to the water you glasses will film over. The bags make cleanup easier. I put a rubber plug in my S rod to stop water running to the control box if I get stupid and lift up my coil. If you don't separate the rods and clean the inside over time they will not separate. Oh, the bag will also keep the mist off the coil wire-control box connection. Rob