4500 with possible problem.

Last 2 times I have been out my 4500 hasn't behaved very well. First time was a while ago, it just goes off all over the place, turning down the settings did help but not entirely. Also at that trip I found the 45 did not always turn on, no light no sound, checked connections, retried and it was fine, but it wasn't lose connections.
Forward to today at Marybourough and once again it was very noisy, tried differant settings, coils, speaker placement and still noisy, but it did not fail to start. I could not trust whether I had a target or not, left early disappointed.

Anyone got any ideas? or just contact/send it to Minleab? Can't try differant settings at home due to being in the burbs of Melb.

Cams.

Cams.

As for not turning on it's possible there is dust or dirt in the on/off switch.

Were you carrying anything on you that might have set it off or possibly near underground power/telephone lines.

If your sure the noise wasn't caused by bad emi or wrong timings then contact minelab or a dealer for advice.

G.B.

Cams.

Did you sort out the problem with your 4500.

G.B.

I re visited the settings and checked them of against some reference settings I have, target volume was quite high as well as stabilizer and gain, perhaps not enough for a normal day, but maybe EMI was bad that day and I should have run lower settings. I will head back to Maryborough or somewhere soon and see how it goes, I am starting to think the only problem is the person holding it

The on switch still has not played up again, so maybe that was a bit of dirt like you suggested.

I have a "failure to switch on" it was dust in the switch - good squirt with aerosol electronic contact cleaner solved it.

I am not surprised if the target volume, gain and stabiliser were all on "High" settings that the machine was noisy. The last thing I usually set is the stabiliser and tune that down to where the threshold is pretty stable. I don't mind a bit of 'jitter' providing the test bits (0.35 grms or similiar) bang in loud and clear. If it continues Minelab do a great service at about $77 plus postage - assuming the tests are all within the parameters. Good for the piece of mind. Their turn-around time is quick, a good service.

John

Thanks John, I didn't know the Minelab rates were so reasonable, but still a little concerned posting my tector. I haven't been back to try it out yet, at 2.5 hours each way I hope it runs well.

You could always register and/or insure your control box when sending it away. Just got mine back, very fast turn around and $70 plus postage. They bench and field test it and it came back spotlessly clean. So unless there is something wrong it is a pretty cheap checkout. If they had to replace parts i guess the cost would increase. Good for the 'peace of mind' especially if you have just bought a 2nd hand machine.


John

Hi Cam, i"ve sent my detectors to minelab from WA several times with no troubles.The most it's ever cost was $180.00 including replacing parts. Did you try a different a different power lead? That stumped me once and i couldn't believe the difference it made. Goodluck.

From personal experience their bench test don't mean squat, I had to send a brand new coil to them TWICE, the first time they checked it they found a fault with the coil,apparently fixed it,sent it back to me and it was no better than when I sent it to them plus when they plastic welded the coil back together they left a 5mm gap that was not welded so it was not sealed anymore,the second time I sent it away they did end up giving me a new coil.

So if they can't find a problem with a coil on their "bench test" who is to say that they can with a detector.

Cams 4500 wrote:Last 2 times I have been out my 4500 hasn't behaved very well. First time was a while ago, it just goes off all over the place, turning down the settings did help but not entirely. Also at that trip I found the 45 did not always turn on, no light no sound, checked connections, retried and it was fine, but it wasn't lose connections.
Forward to today at Marybourough and once again it was very noisy, tried differant settings, coils, speaker placement and still noisy, but it did not fail to start. I could not trust whether I had a target or not, left early disappointed.

Anyone got any ideas? or just contact/send it to Minleab? Can't try differant settings at home due to being in the burbs of Melb.

Cams.

G'day Cams is your detecter still under warranty... If so I would send it back to M/L and have them check it out... If not I would still send it and have them check it out... Have you tried a different power lead as that could be the problem also... Hope you get it sorted...

Cheers.

Mike.

Mike, I didn't think 4500 warranties were transferable like the 5000's. It is a later model 4500 so may be less than 2 years but I'm not sure as I don't have a copy of origonal purchase reciept, I know Minelab would know. I still haven't been back to try it out yet, but maybe just getting it checked is the way to go.

Hi Cams,
As suggested by marty and Mike54, it would be a good idea to try a new power lead. Eliminate this possibility before sending off to Minelab.
A bad power lead can cause all sorts of problems!
Cheers spinna