Alternate batteries for SD2200D

Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Link Technologies alternate 7.2v lithium ion battery set up for the SD series? Is it any good?

Also has anyone used one with the supplied speaker set up? Is it worth the extra to get it as well or better off using another set up?

Are there any other suggestions as to a good, reasonably priced set up for the SD2200D?

Cheers
Matt

Hi mbasko,
The SD series were designed to be used with headphones and if you prefer to use headphones, then no amp is needed. If you prefer to use a speaker system, then you will require an amp setup to drive the speakers. Your options are to us the standard 6v brick battery and run an amp like the detacc booster. I have used the detacc booster and can fully recommend its use and amplification on the 2200d. Your other option is to get a regulated power system, such as the Coiltek Pocket rocket which has a 6.7/7.3v switch to allow it to be used on a GP or SD machine. I have used this regulated system and once again, I can fully recommend it's function. The good thing about this and one thing to keep in mind is that this system is regulated to 7.3v and only drops to about 7.0v just before the batteries are exhausted unlike other unregulated systems that draw directly on the camcorder battery that could have a voltage of up to 8.3v with a fully charged up camcorder battery. The 2200d unlike the earlier SDs, is far more sensitive to voltages above 7.9v and infact may not turn on or worst still, could cause internal component "frying". Another system which is "fantastic" and has it's own internal amp is the Lucky Lark battery system which can be internally adjusted to whatever voltage you require and will deliver that exact voltage. Lastly but not least, is the newer Ismael Jones wireless battery and speaker system, which personally I haven't used but I have heard good things about, although being newer you are far less likely to find a 2nd hand one for sale.
 
Remember that regulation of voltage is important and almost critical with the 2200d so choose wisely and personally I would steer clear of the unregulated camcorder option. You must be aware that the 7.2v specified is about the voltage reading when the battery is almost flat and when fully charged up should read about 1v more (8.2v) which is a no-no for 2200d machines.

Thanks for the advice Costas - like the look of the Coiltek pocket rocket/lucky lark as I would like to get rid of the "bricks". I do have a Super Sound signal enhancer that seems to work ok but haven't fully tested everything as yet & do like an external speaker so need to test it with one - hopefully its good.

The 2200d is a good machine, the detacc super sound enhancer is a good enhancer, if you can handle monos in your area it will be good otherwise keep an eye out for a Coiltek 14"DD Elite and a Coiltek Pocket Rocket or Lucky Lark and you will be set. It's a fine machine and a good setup. I've done very good with my one, although keep in mind that it is not meant for those tiny pieces that are easily picked up with the GPX machines. Good luck with it.

Hi

My setup on my SD2200V2 is this Detacc booster with a speaker, it works a treat.

Thanks for the pics Tony - looks a great set up.

My super sound enhancer plugs between the battery & headphones/speaker running on its own battery. Seems to work ok thru the headphones & I have a speaker on the way to test further. Have also ordered some adhesive Velcro to attach like yours.

Mate,
ring Reeds Prospecting as they are selling the new Lucky Lark battery systems and they work for the SD's and GPX
detectors.You need to ring them as there is a limited supply and you'll need to write your name down for one.
Hope this sorts thing out.
Regards,
UB

Cheers UB
Was under the impression they no longer made them. Will try to ring in the morning or Monday.
Thanks for that.

Yes,
they had problems with their release last year and finally getting their act together with limited numbers of their batteries coming through.

Got onto Reeds & they don't have any Lucky Larks available. They won't be releasing anymore either but will have a new model out hopefully in the next 2 weeks (EQ elite or something like that? Forgot already  ) $440 then you need to also purchase the GPX 240v ($58) & 12v ($35) chargers as well.

Ismael's Little Ripper wireless set up is a very interesting prospect - anyone had anything to do with these at all?

http://www.minelabmods.com/joomla/

Ordered a Little Ripper so I'll see how it goes? Should be a good thing I reckon.

Edit: Finally got out for a decent run with the Little Ripper set up today. It worked a treat - no attachment, apart from the bungee, was great. I did put a bigger bungee on to compensate for the little bit of extra weight attached to the control box & found it to not tire your arm out any more than normal.

After the first proper sort of hit out with it today I am giving it a big thumbs up - works well.

I have been umming and ahhing over a Little Ripper, will probably be my next add on to the machine, tired of being trapped with the cable by old man salt bush etc  

Good to see it works fine.

The only very small issue I have found with it is that it very occasionally seems to lose the signal/crackle for a few seconds but in saying that when it does happen it is usually when you are twisting/bending, i.e. to pick something up, put your pick back in holder, fiddling with tracking switch (gotta get that quick track button fitted ) etc. so is probably more about where you are or your detector is positioned more than a fault of the wireless set up. As I said it only lasts a few seconds tops & hasn't happened while I'm detecting normally or affected detecting at all.
Not having a battery cable, + other cables depending on set up, attaching you to the detector far outweighs any minor issue anyway. I am very happy using it because if there's something to get snagged on I will invariably find it.  
The unit is more designed to be charged via 12v battery but with some advice from Ismael on a Jaycar 7.5a 240v to 12v power supply (he recommended to get something that will handle 5a at least) http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3575 & using a cigarette lighter plug to DC plug http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PP1997 adaptor I have set up a charging area at home for it too. It comes with a good little battery manager system as well that can be used to charge all types of batteries but Ismael will have it set for the little ripper if you get it.
The batteries charge pretty quick - I had done about 6.5hrs the other week (still had charge left - not sure of full discharge time yet) & both batteries recharged in just over 2hrs.

To the OP with the original question.
I have one of Woody's setups with the SD 2200D - [Link Technologies alternate 7.2v lithium ion battery] and love it.
I use the speaker on calm days and the headphones on windy days.
Each battery lasts about 6-7 hours.
And I agree, it is wonderful to detect without a harness.
Ron

Thanks Ron - may look at Woody's set up down the track as an alternate battery if/when I do some longer trips so I always have either one of them charged & ready to go as a spare. Both set up's, little ripper or Woody's, are a definite improvement on carrying the brick battery + being attached by cable to the detector IMO.
I still wear my harness to attach my bungy plus to carry some other bits & pieces in the now redundant battery pouch + with the wireless set up I can have my booster/speaker attached to it for easier listening & volume adjustment, although adjusting the volume if its mounted to the control box is no trouble in comparison with trying to get to that tracking toggle switch at times - did I mention gotta get that quick track button fitted . Once I do that I'll be laughin.

Redfin, I am somewhat surprised that you run that setup on your 2200d, as a fully charged camcorder battery will put out approximately 8.2v to 8.4v, and as I have tested my SD2200d to see what the max voltage I could run it with was, and found it to be somewhere around the 7.95v mark. Anything more than this and the detector just wouldn't turn on, so personally, I would never run an unregulated camcorder battery system on my 2200d. Now the Coiltek pocket rocket camcorder system is a different kettle of fish, as that is regulated to max 7.3v.

mbasko wrote:...did I mention gotta get that quick track button fitted . Once I do that I'll be laughin.

I did that mod to my 2200d and it was one of the BEST improvements you can make to it..it just makes life so much easier after you install it.

CostasDee wrote:

mbasko wrote:...did I mention gotta get that quick track button fitted . Once I do that I'll be laughin.

I did that mod to my 2200d and it was one of the BEST improvements you can make to it..it just makes life so much easier after you install it.

No doubt Costas - bit nervous about opening her up, so to say, but with a bit more reading I should be right to give it a go. Looks reasonably easy as far as electromagical stuff goes. (Thanks Ren for the instructions!)

I have all the parts here for the quick tracking mod bought from Jaycar, just a matter of getting time to do it.

CostasDee wrote:Redfin, I am somewhat surprised that you run that setup on your 2200d, as a fully charged camcorder battery will put out approximately 8.2v to 8.4v, and as I have tested my SD2200d to see what the max voltage I could run it with was, and found it to be somewhere around the 7.95v mark. Anything more than this and the detector just wouldn't turn on, so personally, I would never run an unregulated camcorder battery system on my 2200d. Now the Coiltek pocket rocket camcorder system is a different kettle of fish, as that is regulated to max 7.3v.

CD, I turn it on and go play and have fun, and get reasonable results next to my Missus with her 5K.
Each to their own. I have a regulated system as well but could not notice the difference.
Woody's batteries last longer for ME.
So all is good and I am happy.

EDIT - Woody's batteries have Full Short Circuit Protection and are load regulated at 7.2 Volts.