A reminder to those who have packed it up for the winter

meMiner

Bronze Member
Jul 22, 2014
1,047
1,176
Port Perry, Ontario
Detector(s) used
Minelab 800,
Fisher CZ21, F75SE, Gold Bug 2.9 & Minelab GPX 5000
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I was getting my kit sorted out today. Where I am at, detecting season is pretty much over with things now frozen solid until spring. I got to cleaning and organizing, so I can get at it next year again. Little things have caught me in the past, so I thought I would remind folks of some hard lessons learned. I am sure there are others with good advise too.

1) Pull the batteries from the detectors:
(a) Disposable batteries have a nasty habit of shorting out if left installed for long lengths of time. I have one underwater detector that got a bit of moisture in the battery compartment on my last dive and if I had opened it sooner, I would still have wires/connector in there. Now, I will have a heck of a job to fix it. Shame, I love that detector.
(b) Top up the charge on the Lithium Ion batteries. They don't like to be fully drained and live longer if charged once in a while when not in use. It could have been a disaster for me this year. Somehow, I left the GPX detector turned on last time I played with it. Luckily, it seemed to take a full charge, so I might be OK still. I suspect if I had left it like that, I would have had to replace it.

2) Gas stabilizer in the gas motors. Without it, gas degrades rather quickly.

3) Start the ATV and run it for a while to recharge the battery. Close the gas and let it run until the carb is empty. This should be done about once a month if it is not used in the winter.

4) Empty water from pumps and such. Might be too late already, since the temperatures have dropped. I broke a new pump once that was put away with water still in it. The ice expanded and cracked the casing.
 

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Jim Hemmingway

Hero Member
Jan 26, 2008
790
1,620
Canada
Detector(s) used
F-75, Infinium LS, MXT, GoldBug2, TDI Pro, 1280X Aquanaut, Garrett ProPointer
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Good list placergold, especially about those batteries... this is something I'm guilty of not doing. I always have an idea that I'll need them in place in order to do some benchtests, but it cost my Aquanaut 1280X a trip to the repair shop for new battery case wiring. Otherwise clean and make sure all equipment is dry before winter storage. If stored in a damp basement area, ensure the dehumidifier is turned on and set to a timer. A timely reminder from you, many thanks...

Jim.
 

Hoser John

Gold Member
Mar 22, 2003
5,854
6,721
Redding,Calif.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Go south young man as we are just getting fired up here. No Mr.Rattler,wasps,meat bees,ticks,black widows(or white),or environutz to contend with-John
 

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