Personal observation about carrying detector in your car

[Ray S ECenFL]

Hat Man recently posted a question about carrying your detector in your car. I would like to pass on an observation about my XLT.

I do carry my XLT in the trunk of my car when the weather is not too hot, but I recently started having some odd problems with it. Falsing mostly.

Over the weekend I went detecting and the falsing started again. I considered that there may be a power line nearby and moved to a different area. Problem still there. I also noticed that after about 15 minutes of playing with the detector the problem went away but I do not think it was anything I did. ( You know, turning the unit off and back on, removing the battery while it is turned on, changing programs etc...)

After giving it some thought I believe my problem is moisture. Eventhough there is no sign of wetness on the detector, I believe moistrue may be the problem. We have been getting lots of rain lately and my trunk is NOT leaking but the excessive moisture in the air may be having an effect on the XLT performance. I have removed it from the trunk and have used it twice since and no more problem. Hope this is what my problem was and is not some random, soon to reoccur, problem.

Happy Hunting.

Ray S

 

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[LadyDigger]

Hmmm....it really hasn't been that hot here (to me anyways) and I have left my detector in my car for about 3 weeks now...never knowning when I might be able to stop somewhere and detect (which hasn't happened)...

I never paid attention to my machine acting up on me...that is a good pointer and will see how it works when I go to use it. Trying to recall back when it was giving me false readings and going beserk...if I left it in my car or not...my memory does not go that far back LOL...

But thanks for the heads up....gonna' try to get out this afternoon, if I can...

HH,
Annmarie

 

[JOe L]

Its is possible to get condensation on the Logic board. Important things I have learned is to keep all windows closed if you leave it over night and the worst times is when there is extreme temp changes. Real cold at night to warm during the day. I do keep mine in the car but, now that its getting colder up here nights, I start bringing it in. JMO

 

[Ascholten]

i have kept mine in my trunk for a few years now. It's in there day and night, 24/7 through rain or shine, blistering heat or nipple numbing cold.... to date I have yet to have any problems with it.

Electronic parts are going to condense moisture in a sealed area like a trunk ONLY if they are at a significantly cooler temperature than the surrounding air. Given it was already in there and wasn't brought in there from another place, it's temps will raise and fall with the rest of the trunk, so condensation should not be an issue as it should be pretty close to the temp thats already in there. Since it's not a large mass, like a gallon jug of water for example, it really does not have much in the way of heat sinking qualities either so you should be fine.

Aaron

 

[bedpanmoneyman]

I never leave my detector in the car trunk when its really hot outside (above 85 degrees). After all, they are computers and excessive heat can't be good for them....just my opinion.

BPMM

 

[hybrid_XLT]

I keep my Eagle Spectrum in my Jeep, if its gonna be a hot day, i'll put a shirt/towel over the digital part of the machine. a month or two ago, i was having the same probelms too with my MD, screen was shuting down and sometimes screen would be filled with all numbers & letters..had to keep shutting it on & off and removing the battery pack. would do this for 15-30 minutes and then it would work find. after a few emails with "Rich in Central PA" about this probelm, i ended up placing a small piece of foam between the battery pack & battery cover (this pushs the pack more up against the connections). MD has been working great ever since.

 

[Ascholten]

That is kind of a problem with the spectrum, well actually the entire whites line that uses that type of battery, and Id say probably many other brands of machines. The way the battery terminals are on the circuit board, they are kind of springy, and after a while of bumping and banging around, don't push as hard as they should against the battery anymore, and the loose connection can give you problems exactly as described. Another thing you might want to do from time to time is, take something fairly abrasive, like one of those green scrubby pads or an ink eraser and give the terminals on the battery a good cleaning off, get the grime and gunk off them to help make a better connection as well.

Aaron

 

[davesx]

I never leave my detector in the car trunk when its really hot outside (above 85 degrees). After all, they are computers and excessive heat can't be good for them....just my opinion.

BPMM

I always bring my MD in, not that it gets to 85 degrees very often over here,
I don't want to take any chances with it costing $$$£££ to replace.

Dave.

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Now that the weather has dropped...mine is in the trunk...I do not recommend leaving it or anything else of value in plain view on a sit in a vehicle...

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

I use to keep a thick piece of cardboard between the top of the battery and the battery compartment lid to give it some extra pressure on the contcts. Might have to start using it again.

Thanks for the reminder.

Ray S.