Does coal or clinkers set off a MD?

[bulrush]

I seem to be finding some coal, and some clinkers (burnt coal?) which set off my metal detector, as an "iffy" signal (not real clear). Is this pretty normal?

Unfortunately the yard is littered with both.

 

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[baspinall]

Yep they used to set off my Whites machines.

 

[flyadive]

Yes it's called "Coke"

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coke_(fuel)

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I don't think I've run across any yet, but I did find a quahog (large clam) once with my detector. Still don't know why I didn't want to kill it just to find out, so the mystery is still a mystery. Maybe it ate a quarter!

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

AT Pro sounds off on coal.

 

[Iamwildman]

Funny, I just found some coal with my Fisher F2. It was near some square nails but the coal was giving my a beep.

 

[DDancer]

Believe it or not but electronic technicians have known for age's that carbon is a conductive material. Hehh

Yes coal, whether its hard coal or wood coals from an old fire pit or wild fire, will set off metal detectors depending on how concentrated it is. It does set off an iffy signal in vlf machines.... dug it myself over the years.... and on PI machines as well. Its kind of a bane for PI's however... always fun to think you have a fantastic nugget only to start dredging up a tree root that burned up... or an old fire pit. Lotta deep holes....
Vlf machines are not so bad as usually its a good size chunk I'll find and generally not to deep.