Silicone on the coil cover

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I have heard often and repeatedly to seal the coil cover in place with silicone caulk or sealant. Now I never have as yet (preferring to remove it and clean it out periodically) and black sand is not a local problem. If you look at the Periodic Table you see Silicon is a metal, right between Aluminum and Phosphorus. Silicone is an electrical insulator. Now to me it seems that neither is the kind of substance I want blocking the signals in or out from my coils.

Thoughts? Comments? Dismissive looks or obscene gestures?

 

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[Monty]

I always thought of silicone as a non-conducter, therefore a good insulator. I wouldn't think it would have any effect on your detector at all. Isn't epoxy a silicone based compound? If so, about 80% of your coil is made of epoxy isn't it? I don't know this for a fact, just what I've always thought. Thinking is dangerous. Maybe I should just stick to obscene gestures? M nty

 

[jeff of pa]

Problem is Dust & Water are like

Cockroaches & Mice.

They will find a way in.

& if you seal it shut, You won't know it's there.

 

[bowser]

i used fish tank sealer on mine recommended by dealer

 

[Sandman]

Jeff is right about not knowing it is there if it's sealed. I used to seal the seam of my coil covers but not anymore. I had a small gap in the seam and black sand got inside the cover. Detectors started acting funny and I never thought there could be a gap to let in the black sand. After sending it in for a fix, it came back at no charge except for shipping with a note to clean out the cover. That is all that was wrong with it. But it could have easiely been something else.

 

[erikk]

I tried them all and the fine sand will get in no matter how you seal it. My solution to the problem is marine epoxy. Coated all my coils with it and now I have no more problems with coil covers

 

[erikk]

The WOT with epoxy

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I always thought of silicone as a non-conducter, therefore a good insulator. I wouldn't think it would have any effect on your detector at all. Isn't epoxy a silicone based compound? If so, about 80% of your coil is made of epoxy isn't it? I don't know this for a fact, just what I've always thought. Thinking is dangerous. Maybe I should just stick to obscene gestures? M nty

No silicone or silicates in epoxy; though colloidal silica (aka cab-o-sil) is used a thickening agent. They are organic (hydrocarbon) chains. It is a polyester, polyurethane or vinyl ester resin (there are dozens of variations, all still called "epoxy"). Probably what fills the coils is clear epoxy casting resin, the kind used for potting transformers and for sealing IC boards to keep the dust out - and it transfers heat better than air for power transistors.

I was just kind of worried that the "electric insulator" properties of the silicone may block incoming or outgoing signals. Guess electromagnet radiation is like gravity and passes through objects . . . but I'm not sure. Think I'll stick to wiping my coil off and shaking out the cover monthly.