Help question on Surfmaster PI

GibH · Aug 22, 2009

I bought a Surfmaster PI yesterday. I stopped on the way home and picked up some silicon grease to use on the gasket and O rings. It seems the only one I forgot was where the cord plugs into the coil. I had the coil wet for about 3 minutes and everything goes static. I'm checking everything and get to the coil, the pigtail isn't tightened down tight. AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! My whole morning is shot.

Anyone know if it will be ok when it dries, or what's the best way to handle it?

S.S.Tupperware · Aug 22, 2009

If the water is salt water, it will be toast, I would return it back that obviously is a factory issue...

GibH · Aug 22, 2009

I can't return it to the factory, I bought it used.

Ok, I don't think any water got into the coil. The pigtail was tightened down, but the O ring isn't thick enough. Even so, with the pigtail tight, it should have kept the gland water tight.

I straightened the coil cable on the lower shaft and moved all the winding up towards the box. I was able to hunt out in the yard for about 20 minutes without any problems. The beach is too crowded now, so today is a loss. I suppose I will have to get a thicker O ring for the coil to be on the safe side, or else goop the crap out of it.

DrJoePrime · Aug 22, 2009

You know I've had my used PI+ for a year now and I never realized the connection to the coil was removable. I'm not opening mine, however.

From what I know about "O" rings I would replace them upon opening a connection. They do take a set and may not seal properly. The cross-section diameter design is quite critical and you can't use a larger cross-section diameter interchangeably.

At yesterday's afternoon's low tide my PI quit after the 2nd signal. I opened up to check on the battery connection but it was good. Had to go home early....this morning when I took the battery pack out I saw that one battery had unsprung slightly. Problem fixed.

Hoping your detector will be OK...That White's PI is a beauty of a machine!

HH Joe

GibH · Aug 22, 2009

Thanks Joe. I don't think it's really supposed to be removable, just the way it's put together. It's just weird that even with the pigtail tightened down all the way, the O ring in mine won't seal. It is actually loose enough to spin. I doubt seriously the person I bought it off ever did anything with it. It was an older lady that use it anymore because of her legs. She certainly doesn't seem to need the money either.

S.S.Tupperware · Aug 22, 2009

Get your money back or send it in I guess...

Moe (fl) · Aug 22, 2009

GibH,

The Whites Surf PI come with a 2 year warranty. The Whites warranty is transferable! It doesn't matter that you bought it used if still under warranty. The warranty goes with the machine not the owner.

Contact Whites factory in Sweet Home Oregon and explain your problem with the machine. They should tell you what to do. They never ask if you are the original owner or not.

Good luck!
- Moe

GibH · Aug 23, 2009

Thanks for the replies guys. The seller took it back and will send it to White's for repairs. If I haven't bought another before she gets it back, I will buy it back. I am leaning towards buying a Sand Shark though, can't beat the lifetime warranty from Tesoro.

Sandman · Aug 23, 2009

Moe (fl) said:
GibH,

The Whites Surf PI come with a 2 year warranty. The Whites warranty is transferable! It doesn't matter that you bought it used if still under warranty. The warranty goes with the machine not the owner.

Contact Whites factory in Sweet Home Oregon and explain your problem with the machine. They should tell you what to do. They never ask if you are the original owner or not.

Good luck!
- Moe

Yes it doesn't matter to Whites just so long as they can fix it or not. Since you don't have it ya can't send it in and I doubt that the lady will bother doing that. The Sand Shark is a great detector but it will cost more moola.