Thunderstorm disrupts AT-PRO?

[CincinnatiKid]

Hi all. As you may or may not know, I hunt in rain.
This day, thunderstorms were in abundance. My AT was so erratic, I stopped detecting.
Question; Is this common with detectors, (all brands)?
Thanks
Peace

 

[MrMikeJackie]

Talk about EMI. Try using a smaller coil, jk! Makes sense to me, I would think it would do it to any machine. I remember when those then new graphite fishing rods came out I bought one, got caught in a bad lightning storm and swore the rod was vibrating every time lightning struck. My buddy said I was crazy. Anywho, be carefull out there in the storms. You never know.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Hum! When it is lightning, and out on the course, do you hold your 9 iron over your head? Or do you run under the nearest tree? Ugh! I shudder to think what might happen, and it isn't erratic operation!

 

[airscapes]

Um.. I think the machine is trying to tell you something.. you probably should listen before you both get fried!

 

[Limitool]

Was detecting my yard and area woods one day last summer. Middle TN. HARD ground. Started to rain so I quit. Went back out 2 hrs. later and returned to same program I had on machine. Machine just would NOT SHUT-UP.... I knew there were/are things I could have probably done but I'm still learning.

 

[BC1969]

Been caught detecting when storms snuck up on me, never detected in one. I do know that lightning disrupts radio stations broadcasts, can hear the lightning sorta from static.
As a side note, the sun disrupts electronics also, probably why I've always had better results detecting in the dark.
I use cb and ham radios, both of which also work better at night.
So yeah based off that, I guarantee a storm disrupts your detector.

Mike

 

[DDancer]

Consider the fact that you are using a transmitter device, ie a detector, and it picks up electrical transmissions. Does not matter if its high power lines over head or mother nature telling ya she's gonna bust on ya. Yes lightning is an electrical transmission. Yes your detector will pick it up. Hopefully you wont . Weather resistant detectors do not mean they are Weather proof. I've had detectors go off from storms many miles away and its just a natural fact. VLF's are not so bad but PI's don't like lightning at all. Just don't wear BC1969's head gear and you'll be fine for the most part. Hehh hehh!

 

[Eddie Current]

If you are getting interference from lightning bolts I highly suggest you head back to your car. Ask Lee Trevino about his golf course experiences with lightning...

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Your AT Pro was probably calling you names in detector talk for waving it around in the rain during a lighting storm!

 

[Jesse James]

I to have noticed random chirps from my detector when a storm is approaching. And I swear every time a motorcycle or Mack truck passes by, I get interference too. Maybe something to do with there electronic devices I am assuming.

 

[piegrande]

There are two issues here, speaking as a 31 year electronic technician, essentially working as a Senior diagnostician.

First, as stated, electrical transmissions of radio waves from the lightning bolts.

Second, if a lightning strike hits close by it does induce a major pulse in anything of wire or metal. It is called something like sympathetic pulses.

I live on a mountain side, and it is not the electric lines that get hit. it is the phone line which blows up telephones and more connected to them. I am not talking a direct hit on the phone line, but a hit very close to it.

I finally got Phillips infinite protection boxes, look like electrical boxes, from Wal-mart. If the 120 takes a hit, a relay opens and protects the 120 supplied devices.

But, when, not if, a pulse comes down the phone line, I have to open the boxes and replace small fuses from the circuit card. So, when possibe, I try to disconnect the phone line when there is an electrical storm.

If that bolt of lightning will blow my fuses, yes, it will mess up the operation of your MD.

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Thanks piegrande. Most informative.
Peace

 

[luvsdux]

I've never detected when a thunderstorm was near, but I'm sure that every time a lightening bolt struck you would hear it in your headphones at the very least.
luvsdux

 

[Boatlode]

I remember when those then new graphite fishing rods came out I bought one, got caught in a bad lightning storm and swore the rod was vibrating every time lightning struck. My buddy said I was crazy.

Youre not crazy. My graphite fishing rods started humming one time when I got cut off from the ramp by a t-storm, and a split second later there was a white flash and thunderclap very close to the boat. I had to check my shorts when I finally got to the dock.