Surfmaster PI help

[KinjoVT]

Hello all,
I recently decided to try water/beach hunting. I purchased a used whites PI. I received the unit from the seller who assured me it was in good condition. I was not able to receive an owners maunal or instruction guide. I turned on the unit and all it did was squeal. I then tried to pass a quarter under the coil to get a response and it did not react. I then tried playing with the PI dial to get a reaction to the quarter and it did not respond. Is the unit possibly broken or am I using it wrong?
Can anyone help?? Also in looking at the unit it did not have a silica gel packet inside, but that is ok I have ordered some from whites. Should I keep them in there at all times?
If anyone could help I would appreciate it!!!!

 

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[OutBack Duo]

I am no expert but this doesn't sound good. I purchased a new Surfmaster PI last week in the box from a store who said it was on their shelf for years. The salesman put batteries in it and passed several items in front of the coil and it sounded off to every one of them. Yours doesn't sound like it is working properly. I have a link to the owners manual I will post here when I find it.

here it is: http://www.whiteselectronics.com/manuals/Surf%20Master%20Manuals/

 

[KinjoVT]

Thanks Darthvick!
I did some research and it told me that I should hear a threshold Hum? Not exactly sure what that is; but I don't think the sqealing I heard is what they were talking about. I contacted the seller who was unsure of how to help. She suggested that I turn down the gain. I don't think that will help because all it does is make the squealing lower in volume. I was hoping to see if anyone out there had adjustment ideas or a similar problem. Thanks for the link to the manual that helps. I think I may have to contact Whites.

 

[Sandman]

Dathvick, I will try to help. If you have the manual from the Whites web site, set up the two knobs where the preset arrows are located on the front. If you still have a loud squeal, something is wrong. First, make sure you are outside away from all electrical lines or buried security fences or electric dog fences, and turn it on again. You should have a faint tone, "Threshold." Check if moving the coil wire changes the sound. If it does you have to send it in to Whites. Also check to see if the batteries are installed correctly. More trouble is caused by this problem than all the rest. If you still notice no change by moving the knobs back and forth, it has to be sent in for repair. The small gel pack goes inside to absorb moisture from condensation, not water leaks.

I hope this helpped,
Sandman

 

[daydreamer]

I had the ame model - your problem could be it is picking up the nails in the floor from three feet away. But the PI will tone out anything when you stay still for a moment.

 

[JohnNZ]

I have a SM PI.
If you dont turn the one knob off the click position it will be in battery test mode and will squeal.
Is this the problem?
JOhn

 

[KinjoVT]

No it is not in the battery test mode. Thank you for the help. I have since contacted the seller who refunded me the money. I am now trying to decide on which water detector to purchase. I am thinking Tesoro Sand or Tiger shark. Any suggestions? Maybe another Whites, I have a Whites for land hunting and I like them so I am unsure.

 

[Sandman]

Between the two Tesoro's, the Sand Shark is deeper, but lacks the fine discrimination of the other. PI's just don't discriminate well.