My detector broke. What are my options?

[OBXmetalDet]

Minelab Equinox 800.

It broke right at the part where the lower shaft attaches to the coil. I forget the name of that part.

I still have 2 more days at the beach. Is there a quick, temporary fix for this?

In terms of a permanent solution, what are my options?

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Only one picture, but Looks like both the ears broke off at the coil so not much you can do with it but replace it... What city are you near, if close enough you could get new coil. If coil is under warranty Minelab will replace but, that will take more than a couple days to process where new coil would be quicker and give you back up coil for future.

 

[Jason-ks]

Minelab Equinox 800.

It broke right at the part where the lower shaft attaches to the coil. I forget the name of that part.

I still have 2 more days at the beach. Is there a quick, temporary fix for this?

In terms of a permanent solution, what are my options?

Head to Myers Metal Detectors and pick up a replacement lower rod. Heres his website.

Accessories | Type | Myers Metal Detectors

 

[AU Seeker]

Head to Myers Metal Detectors and pick up a replacement lower rod. Heres his website.

Accessories | Type | Myers Metal Detectors

His rod didn't break, he broke the "ears" off the coil!
No good way to repair that, he's going to need a new coil.

 

[pepperj]

One of the biggest problems with the Minelab equipment, coil tab breaking off.
It really sucks to have only one coil, and this blows the holiday enjoyment.

 

[robertk]

His rod didn't break, he broke the "ears" off the coil!
No good way to repair that, he's going to need a new coil.

Seems like you could make a "clip" to go around the coil where the broken ears are out of a piece of kydex, leaving the ends long enough to become new "ears", drill holes, and mount it back on the shaft. But I've never had that issue, so I don't know. Just a thought.

 

[mjb Mike]

If only for a few days zip tie it back on

 

[no2pencil]

People make 3d printed a "ear stiffener". Probably not going to get one in two days, but you should use it with your next coil. I have one on my equinox 800. I've seen people zip tie their broken coil as Mike suggested.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Try using JB Quick Weld. Works on most plastics. Worth a shot for six bucks.

 

[Carl-NC]

Most coils are made with ABS or ABS blended with polycarbonate. Usually you can get a decent repair with ABS cement, the can of black stuff from Lowes-Depot used to weld ABS pipes. It literally dissolves into the existing plastic.

 

[FinderTravis]

Crazy glue.

 

[TORRERO]

His rod didn't break, he broke the "ears" off the coil!
No good way to repair that, he's going to need a new coil.

A BIG BIG GLOB OF LIQUID STEEL IN A TUBE 😂🤣

 

[OBXmetalDet]

Head to Myers Metal Detectors and pick up a replacement lower rod. Heres his website.

Accessories | Type | Myers Metal Detectors

I think the lower rod is fine. Wouldn't I need a new coil?

 

[OBXmetalDet]

One of the biggest problems with the Minelab equipment, coil tab breaking off.
It really sucks to have only one coil, and this blows the holiday enjoyment.

It would be nice if they made the part with the ears one piece that can snap into the coil, that way if the ears break, you can just buy that part and not a new coil.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

If only for a few days zip tie it back on

I got paracord from a lifeguard and it worked a bit.

Over 4 days, I hardly found anything. I think Hurricane Erin swept everything out to sea.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

Try using JB Quick Weld. Works on most plastics. Worth a shot for six bucks.

I might buy some to keep for the next emergency.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

When I charge the battery for a while, I am seeing only 1 or 2 bars when there should be 3 showing. There is a slight black smudge on the bottom middle of the screen too.

My pinpointer doesn't work anymore even with a new battery.

Over 5 years I really haven't used it that much.

I think it might be time for a new detector.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

After giving this some more thought, I might hold on to my Equinox 800 and get it repaired for the control box and get a new coil. I have some questions though.

Looking back, I think I might have overcharged my Equinox 800 nearly every time I charged it.

1. Can overcharging wear out the battery over time?
2. Can overcharging explain why the 3 squares on the battery indicator (upper left of the screen) isn't always reliable after charging it for many hours?
3. Where can I get my Equinox 800 fixed?
4. What are your results with the Equinox 11” coil? Pros/cons?
5. What are your results with the Equinox 15” coil? Pros/cons?
6. Where can I buy an after-market charger for Equinox 800? Can they charge the Equinox 800 up to maximum capacity without overcharging it?

 

[Carl-NC]

The Equinox should have an internal battery charging circuit that prevents overcharging. Battery meters tend to be pretty unreliable because the discharge curve of a lithium battery is very non-linear and varies as the battery ages.

There are probably quite a few Equinox that have leaked water and died, leaving a usable coil with an unusable detector. I would look for someone with one of these who will sell the coil. Or fix your coil, or buy a new one from Minelab.

 

[Gare]

Could he possibly zip tie the could with 2 or 3 ties to get him through a couple days ? / he would just have to be careful with it