Whats The Best Way To Seal An Excal II Coil Cover?

[NCGREG]

What's The Best Way To Seal An Excal II Coil Cover?

I have to admit, I have not been using the coil cover that came with my Excal. I just don't like the darned thing. But I was in some stuff yesterday that was really difficult to hunt in, and the whole beach was loaded up with large, sharp, broken shell fragments. Thickly strewn around, covering the top of the sand surface, and all down inside the top layer, and in the water too.

I guess I really need to use this coil cover, and if I have too..I would rather seal it up around the edges with some kind of sealant that can be removed in the future if I have a warranty problem, and have to send it in to ML. I started to put it on before I left the house yesterday morning, but it doesn't fit snug to the coil itself, and I didn't want to fool with it falling off, and getting full of sand and minerals out on the surf while I was hunting.

Is there some kind of RTV Sealant that can be bought locally, that will seal around the edges of the cover "to the coil" and keep it water tight, and also keep the sand particles from getting inside? Or would this be more trouble than it's worth? .. I have seen some that had been sealed with regular clear RTV silicone, but I don't know if it actually worked well or not.

Opinions please.

 

[bigscoop]

If you seal them really good, like with epoxy, kiss it goodbye if you ever need to take it back off, say in the event that you ever crack it or it develops a hole, etc., then there's all that hard epoxy on the coil. Soft sealants eventually wear out and then that can also become a hassle. I've just resorted to taking mine off every once in a while and rinsing it out.

 

[seeker41]

I coat my coils with spray on truck bed liner(no coil cover) and my coil while in use always scrapes the sand!!!! holds up very well!

chuck.

 

[fsa46]

I use Loctite Marine Epoxy on all my coils. I use to just epoxy the bottom of the coils and touch them up a couple times a year but now I epoxy the covers directly onto the coil.

For the record, Minelab does NOT void the warranty if you use Loctite Marine Epoxy but does void the warranty using other materials such as bed liner spray.

Here's one method just using epoxy.

 

[fsa46]

Another Method That Works Excellent



Another method that worked quite well was cutting the coil cover as shown and epoxy just to the edge of the coil and epoxy the entire bottom. The edge should go all the way around, not the way shown. This was the first one I did like this and only did the area that got worn the most.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

I seal mine with marine silicone.
I run the bead all around the black and yellow, where they meet. You gotta make sure you got coverage.
Also, don't smooth it out, wipe it, or clean it up. Allow the large bead to dry, that way, it's easier to peel off, if you need to do so.
I've only had to redo mine about once every 8 months or so.
Works real good for me, I'm usually always getting the sand in it, otherwise.

 

[NCGREG]

I use Loctite Marine Epoxy on all my coils. I use to just epoxy the bottom of the coils and touch them up a couple times a year but now I epoxy the covers directly onto the coil.

For the record, Minelab does NOT void the warranty if you use Loctite Marine Epoxy but does void the warranty using other materials such as bed liner spray.

I had heard, from some individuals, and read, in some other articles that Minelab would definatly void the warranty on any modifications to the stock Excal coil. This is very interesting, .. Just curious..if you don't mind me asking. Did the techs at Minelab personally tell you that this mod would not void the 1 year warranty?

Thanks

 

[fsa46]

I use Loctite Marine Epoxy on all my coils. I use to just epoxy the bottom of the coils and touch them up a couple times a year but now I epoxy the covers directly onto the coil.

For the record, Minelab does NOT void the warranty if you use Loctite Marine Epoxy but does void the warranty using other materials such as bed liner spray.

I had heard, from some individuals, and read, in some other articles that Minelab would definatly void the warranty on any modifications to the stock Excal coil. This is very interesting, .. Just curious..if you don't mind me asking. Did the techs at Minelab personally tell you that this mod would not void the 1 year warranty?

Thanks

Yes, I have the email on file from Minelab but can't seem to copy and paste it. If you PM me your email address I'll send it to you and you can post it if you like.

 

[NCGREG]

No, please don't go to all of that trouble, I appreciate the help as is. I just wanted to make sure about any mods before I did something that I might regret doing before the time runs out on it. It's interesting that they would allow a coil mod, but they won't allow a headphone mod, that's strange isn't it?

 

[NCGREG]

I seal mine with marine silicone.
I run the bead all around the black and yellow, where they meet. You gotta make sure you got coverage.
Also, don't smooth it out, wipe it, or clean it up. Allow the large bead to dry, that way, it's easier to peel off, if you need to do so.
I've only had to redo mine about once every 8 months or so.

Which brand of sealant do you use on yours?

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Which brand of sealant do you use on yours?

I usually get mine at Outdoor World, Boatlife Silicone Rubber.
I would think any brand would do, as long as it's marine grade silicone.

BoatLIFE | Discount Marine Supplies | Boat Supplies Online | Boat Cleaning Products

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

How do you determine know that the search coil needs to be cleaned/resealed?

I seal mine with marine silicone.
I run the bead all around the black and yellow, where they meet. You gotta make sure you got coverage.
Also, don't smooth it out, wipe it, or clean it up. Allow the large bead to dry, that way, it's easier to peel off, if you need to do so.
I've only had to redo mine about once every 8 months or so.
Works real good for me, I'm usually always getting the sand in it, otherwise.

 

[mham2]

Locite marine epoxy apply at the edge between cover and coil , have not had to touch it for four years now

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

How do you know when the search coil needs to be cleaned and resealed?

Well, for starters, I treat mine like a baby! LOL!
Usually after a long hard summer(or months later, depending on use), you'll notice where there could be some compromised places. If it fills up with that fine sand, it will bulge some on the bottom, and/or I can just tell by looking at it and mashing the bottom of the coil cover. Also, it will work real wonkie, if you got a coil cover full of sand. It's knowing your machine and having a "feel" for what you are observing. (Up at RTG, they also do this for folks with the Excall's, or they used to).

Just make sure the bead covers where the yellow and black meet. Go slow and be patient. Allow to dry fully (about 24 hrs).
I'm sure, there may be some don't like this method or have better ways. This works for me, as I like simple.
Not a lot of fuss, not a lot of muss. I did have to redo the first one I ever did, after about 3 months. I could tell sand had gotten in it and I had smoothed out the silicone all nice and pretty. Eh, live and learn.
Man, that stuff is hard to rub/scrape off, if you make it pretty. That's why I said leave it in a bead.
Hope that helps some. Ya'll have fun and HH!

 

[mham2]

Locite marine epoxy apply at the edge between cover and coil , have not had to touch it for four years now

I used to cover the coil completely with epoxy , now I just do the seam between the cover and the coil and it holds up much better. The bottom of the cover takes all the a abrasive rubbing and nothing will penetrate that seam

 

[NCGREG]

I usually get mine at Outdoor World, Boatlife Silicone Rubber.
I would think any brand would do, as long as it's marine grade silicone.

BoatLIFE | Discount Marine Supplies | Boat Supplies Online | Boat Cleaning Products

Hey Pat,

I used to use BoatLife Rubber Caulk on my boats, (when I had boats) they make a very good product. How many of these tubes does it take to seal a cover?

Thanks Greg

Silicone Rubber Tubes 2.8 fl.oz. - BoatLIFE

 

[NCGREG]

I used to cover the coil completely with epoxy , now I just do the seam between the cover and the coil and it holds up much better. The bottom of the cover takes all the a abrasive rubbing and nothing will penetrate that seam

I had wondered if covering the bottom of the coil with some kind of epoxy would affect the machines ability to penetrate through the epoxy, and decreasing detecting depth... Does it?....And.... on the other hand.. if I decide to seal just the "seam" between the ML yellow cover and the coil itself with a bead of epoxy, when the epoxy dries, can you ever get the cover off again if you need to? Or is the cover then permanently "glued" to the coil itself....forever??

Thanks Greg

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

That 80ml tube will do 2 or 3 machines for you(maybe more). I didn't have any need for it, after I did my first one(the second time), it dried all up in the tube, by time I needed it again. I got an unopened tube sitting here, just waiting for time, to do 2 machines and any other "silicone" projects I can find, just to use it up.

Don't forget to seal those two inside parts, not just the round outside of the cover. It can get messy if not steady handed or you don't work with the stuff everyday. I keep toothpicks and kabob sticks, to help me manipulate it, if I have the slipsies. Lotsa wet paper towels too.
Not an inside project for me.

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

The Minelab rep you talked to may of got it wrong - it happens.

Annoyed at having to periodically take the protective coil cover off to remove the sand, I contacted Minelab and asked why they don't just build a harder bottom rather than the soft bottom that the Tornados come with. I was informed by the Minelab rep that the coil cover functions as a combination skid plate and bumper which protects the bottom and sides of the search coil from being damaged by sharp objects and to absorb shock when it strikes a hard object such as a rock/curb. To function properly the combination skid plate bumper has to flex. That is why there is a small air layer between the cover and the coil.

Putting hard epoxy on a coil is not a good idea as it is brittle and cracks.
It also adds weight to the coil.

I use Loctite Marine Epoxy on all my coils. I use to just epoxy the bottom of the coils and touch them up a couple times a year but now I epoxy the covers directly onto the coil.

For the record, Minelab does NOT void the warranty if you use Loctite Marine Epoxy but does void the warranty using other materials such as bed liner spray.

I had heard, from some individuals, and read, in some other articles that Minelab would definatly void the warranty on any modifications to the stock Excal coil. This is very interesting, .. Just curious..if you don't mind me asking. Did the techs at Minelab personally tell you that this mod would not void the 1 year warranty?

Thanks

 

[fsa46]

The Minelab rep you talked to may of got it wrong - it happens.

Putting hard epoxy on a coil is not a good idea as it is brittle and cracks.
It also adds weight to the coil. QUOTE]

Well Sir, that is your opinion. In my opinion it's the only way to go if you hunt 4-6 days a week. Many veterans in this game, including "Max", uses epoxy on all their coils with good results, if it's applied correctly. If I'm not mistaken Max hunts every day, weather permitting and still uses Marine Epoxy.

As far as the Minelab rep being wrong. I'm not the only one that has been told this by a Minelab rep and if I could copy and paste the email I would prove you wrong.

I would be more than happy to forward the email to anyone that would be interested if you send me your email address.