Coil modification - light weight epoxy?

[JoeInMO]

I was watching this YouTube video of a guy beach hunting with an Equinox. I don't know him or have anything to do with this mod, but I'm wondering what you all thought of it. I'm not very handy with such things and wouldn't want to be one of the first to try it.

It does seem to solve the coil cover issue.

Here's the video... start at about 40 seconds into the video.



In the comments here's what he said he did:

"Yer probably not going to like my answer but the filler I use isn’t off the shelf. I use a slow set epoxy with a dab of black pigment then mix in glass micro balloons until i have something about the consistency of peanut butter. I pack the stuff into a baggie, cut off a corner and squeeze it into the voids. Sand it down and final coat with black pigmented epoxy. In that I won’t be putting the cover back on, I also filed off the protruding extrusions that hold the cover on and eased all the sharp edges on the spokes and coil. It helps to keep the coil from catching in the sand and digging in. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.."

What do you think of this mod?

Thanks,
-Joe

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

Personally it think it is bad idea. If coil has issue and he sends it in to Minelab he has a chance he has void his warranty. In past Minelab would not honor warranty on modified coils that had coil covers glued on coils. Cleaning out coil covers is not hard at all.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Putting crap on your coil is just lazy - and voids the warranty. Only a newb would buy a used machine with a "modded" coil.

 

[vferrari]

I agree with the above two responses. There is no "coil cover issue". All coils with covers need to be periodically cleaned and the underlying coil epoxy should be readily available for inspection by the detectorist to make a determination as to whether a coil manufacturing defect is becoming apparent (epoxy crack propagation, exposed coil wire) so it can be serviced by professionals, if necessary. After the warranty expires, I guess you can goop it up all you want, but I like to inspect my gear, clean it when necessary, preserve my warranty. It's all part of taking proper care of your equipment.

 

[JoeInMO]

Interesting opinions... thanks. I'm not the handy person to do such a modification, but I do like the end results.

The coil cover is not really a problem, but it is a bit annoying. The more you remove it the looser it fits. I may just start using the NOX without the cover since mine doesn't fit so good anymore.

-Joe

 

[Tpmetal]

best way to do it with out voiding your warranty is to use some spray rubber to seal coil cover, then it can be easily peeled off later if it is needed to be sent in.

 

[vferrari]

best way to do it with out voiding your warranty is to use some spray rubber to seal coil cover, then it can be easily peeled off later if it is needed to be sent it.

Agree, that's a safer approach.

 

[OBN]

With the warranty I would just deal with keeping it cleaned out, until the three years is over...

Not the Nox but an excalibur

Wore the coil down to the danger zone..cleaned and prepared all, filled the coil cover about 1/2 way with 2 part epoxy, set coil into...it's messy but fixed the problem..been about 8 months now. Performance, I see no differences..the gold and silver count has not changed.

 

[rc2125]

I never use coil covers and could care less about my coil warranties.

I do dislike the stupid honeycomb voids in these nox coils.

Latest experimental filler for my nox coils... black electrical potting epoxy. It looks to be exactly what is used to fill the coils from factory. It has very low mixed viscocity, sets rock hard, is waterproof, but takes 24 hours to cure (depending on thickness).






*this particular stuff is meant for an epoxy gun dispenser, i just re-used a pusher from another epoxy




$13 from amazon. Ran out due to experimenting prior. One would fill all the voids in 11“ coil, more on the way.

Will see how it fares, soon as the ground thaws.

 

[signal_line]

You can get micro balloons through most hobby stores or find it on-line. Really is is probably just as easy to buy a new coil cover.

 

[RobNC]

I hate to admit it or say it because I TOO had the thoughts of filling voids, sealing things up, etc. BUT it is not a good idea to alter the coil. At least from a warranty perspective. I'm having to send my 6 inch coil back due to factory defects. Had I sealed the coil cover on like I originally wanted to do they would not be taking care of this under warranty more than likely.

So do what you like but I can now see the value in leaving the coils alone at least until your warranty runs out. $179.00 is a nice chunk of change to spend on a new coil vs. it being under warranty unaltered and Minelab take care of replacement.