6v DC operation vs. 18v DC operation

[SilverFinger]

Why do some of the machines only require 4 AA batteries (6vDC) and some require 2 9 volt batteries? My limited electronics background would suggest that 18v current could technically provide a stronger electromagnetic field over 6 volts.

 

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[Ant]

Because a metal detector that requires 6 volts of direct current to operate at premium performance would immediately start to loose performance with only a 6 volt power supply.

To combat this, a higher voltage supply is used in line with a device called a voltage regulator. So if two 9 volt batteries where required to operate a machine that required only 6 volts to operate, a voltage regulator would be used to reduce the voltage to 6 volts.

For example:
Two 9 volt batteries could be wired to provide 9 volts of power when wired in parallel or 18 volts or power when wired in series. And a voltage regulator would cut the power down to the 6 volts. Most MD's are wired in series.

The power and frequencies that a metal detector may legally emit in the USA is regulated by the FCC (Federal Communication Commission). This is to provide protection against interrupting our Military, Air Communication, and our Airwaves as a whole.

 

[Ant]

For example:
Two 9 volt batteries could be wired to provide 9 volts of power when wired in series or 18 volts or power when wired in parallel. And a voltage regulator would cut the power down to the 6 volts. Most MD's are wired in series.

WRONG!!! You have it backwards. Two nine volters in parallel would be 9 volts. Two nine volters in series would be 18 volts.

Your right catfish. I knew that, but my dyslexia disorder must have kicked in, hehehe. I'll edit that to correct it.

HH and thanks for catching that.

 

[greydigger]

so you're saying then that the regulator only lets 6v come from that 9v supply and it lasts longer?