Search coil cable and winding it around the pole?

[SilverFinger]

Ok, dumb question but I have to ask.... I successfully made a crude but very effective hip kit for my old Coinmaster 5500/D. I hold the brain box in my left hand and (now effortlessly) swing with my right. In order to make enough 'swing slack' in the standard length cable, I have to unwind it from the pole. Long story short, can someone tell me definitively if having the search coil cable unwound from the (aluminum) pole cause depth or signal loss? If so, why? Thanks!
(PS- I know Whites still sells extension cables for the old stuff, but can't afford one right now. haha)

 

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[Hemisteve]

Nice Mod.
You might get some false signals with the cable loose around the coil.
Tie it about 6 inches up the shaft and you are good to go!

HH
Steve

 

[SilverFinger]

Thanks for the tip! (and the compliment) So, I should consider the 'must have wrapped around pole' advice kind of an urban legend eh? I thought so. I have a few years of electronic experience and can't make a connection between shielded cable and contact with conductive metal making a better transceiver of electrical signals.

 

[Carl-NC]

You don't have to wrap the cable around the stem, straight up is fine. No performance difference. Use electrical tape or zip ties every 6" or so.

- Carl

 

[Fast Randy]

For the PI machines with bigger coils it is better to run the cable straight up the lower shaft before you start winding the cable around the upper shaft.

 

[rcasi44]

I have a few years of electronic experience and can't make a connection between shielded cable and contact with conductive metal making a better transceiver of electrical signals.

It's not the contact between the cable and the shaft, it is the movement between the cable and the coil. If you notice you have a metal bolt on that detector that isn't read as a target by the coil. That's because there is not movement between the coil and the bolt. You can tape another bolt to the shaft and it also won't read.

Tape the cable in a straight line to the shaft as high as you can go and still allow you to swing with your set up. Rob