Protecting the detector in the wet weather

Hi All,

Going detecting this weekend in the GT in Vic and since its going to be a bit wet i would like to know how to protect my detector (a GPX4500) in the wet weather.

Are there such things as covers for them while you detect.

As iam going to using the gpx4500 for the the first time i would like to protct it as much from the rain as possible.

I am going detecting mostly on sunday.

Any thoughts.

Any how i managed to read the manual and get some suitable settings for the GT.

Also does anyone from the Ivanhoe fossickers club a member of this forum i would like to know more of the next camp in may.

Cheers,
Tim Eureka

hey mate, i have made from a dry as a bone jacket that i had laying around it keep it from get wet...the other thing i have done have trilled 2 holes in the back cap so the water don't sit and leak into the box...i'll post pictures up if i can find them...
cheers
stoppsy

A plastic supermarket shopping bag covers the box, just tie the handle loops together, not stylish or hi tec, but cheap and effective.

From what i have bean told by Barry Johnson that is do not detect in the rain, water & electronics do not mix!

Rod

Thinking of putting the control box in a gar bag and putting 2 shopping bags on top as added protection also setting up the detector before i go so i dont have to play around with the settings just to turn it on.

Any other suggestions.

Cheers,

Tim Eureka

The best way to stop your detector from getting wet from rain is to.....Leave it in the car and go panning.

I would hate to see someone's detector get damaged because of a little bit of gold they may/maynot find. Then there is the issue of detecting on wet ground........not for this kid

the problem with the shopping bags is moisture getting in as there's no airflow getting in. with the cover i made the front is open so the air still go's in and there's no moisture building up......
cheers
stoppsy

Any other cost effective suggestions.

Cheers,

Tim Eureka

Gday

Ideally you shouldnt really detect in the rain anyway, but its a good idea to carry some protection when you are away from camp in case you get caught in a downpour, the two things I carry are one plastic shopping bag, the grey ones are best, the plastic is thicker and has a greasier surface texture and repels the water easily.

The other thing is one of those cheap poncho's, can be bought for about $2/3 both of these things fit between the control box and the protective padded cover, if you leave them in there you will always have then when you need them.

With the shopping bag it takes only seconds to fish it out and pull it over the control box and you can pull it over the box from the back end and when the entire box and front end where the coil lead goes in is covered then you use the handles to securely tie the bag in place around the detector shaft.

The poncho you can throw over yourself and then drape over the detectors control box as well, neither of these items will do for long time use but will protect your detector in a crunch and until you get yourself under cover or back to your vehicle.

cheers

stayyerAU

Eureka wrote:Any other cost effective suggestions.

Cheers,

Tim Eureka

Howdy, I have used a shopping bag as well, I always carry 1 in the backpack. I also have a childs raincoat which works pretty good as well, the sleeves help to hold it on the control box. lasts longer than a shopping bag.
Cheers Greg

I might have to invest in a purpose built cover for the control box.

I have seen them before.Some prospectors use them they just wrap around the control box i think the brand is wisterma.

Cheers,

Tim Eureka

.

fencejumper wrote:tim
if you want a purpose built cover for the control box,
try typing in "dd control box cover" in e-bay...they are fully enclosed

These are a very good cover and I have one on mine, although not 'waterproof' so to speak they do offer great protection from light showers, dust, scratch etc etc. well worth the few $$ they cost.

No matter how we protect our machines remember that the vital item to 'weather proof' is probably the power lead comming into the rear of the machine.