SDC 2300 On Large deep Gold??

G/Day HJ.
Yeah I to have been doing the beaches between Ulladulla and Eden since the mid 80s. Mainly using a Sov XS which is still a great beach machine.
      Then upped to a CS4 Pi, then The Infinium, Gold Bug Pro, a Safari and now the SDC2300.
The Sov has returned a huge qty of finds in coin and jewellery. The CS4 PI is good but not great. The Infinium is magic...Well mine is anyway. The Gold Bug was a huge supprise with the ability to GBal from the dry to the wet sand and find pretty much everything from small chains to large items very deep with an 11 inch elip  DD fitted. The safari is also excellent  but not as good as my Sov XS. mainly because I prefer the tones of the Sov over the multiple melodies of the safari.
      I snapped up The 2300  for gold detecting but I can see it getting a lot of use at the beach.

PS.
Does anyone know where Miners Den Fyshwick ACT has moved to??

Just learnt from ML that there is still two years warranty on my 23. Yaaaaaaaay!   and the Safari I bought a few weeks ago from Cash Con also has buckets of warranty remaining.

adrian ss wrote:

PS.
Does anyone know where Miners Den Fyshwick ACT has moved to??

Is this the one your looking for, I think it was Detect A Den it was in the Canberra area now in Batemans Bay
http://www.detectaden.com.au/contact-us

OOPS 
Yes I meant Detect A Den.

They moved to the Bay then to Fyshwick and now Back to the Bay.
Strange that I didn't see them when I was there on the weekend.

Yeah mate I dunno, why they moved from one spot to another and back again.

I guess they are still there at the address in the link for Batemans Bay.

cheers dave

Do they fly by night between the two ?

ML have told me that the Hp connectors are wp to the rated depth of the detector.
I think it is going to be a while before I put that to the test in salty sandy ocean water even though their youtube vid shows the tecta taking a dunking.

davsgold wrote:Yeah mate I dunno, why they moved from one spot to another and back again.

I guess they are still there at the address in the link for Batemans Bay.

cheers dave

Yeah they moved from Batemans Bay to Canberra and about 9 months ago back to Batemans Bay. Now they have moved again up to the industrial estate in Batemans Bay.

Happy Jack

Probably for the cheaper rent??
It is not easy making money from detector sales in what seems to be a tapering off market.

Hi Everyone,,
Been back a day from a visit to the GT with the 2300 and while I've only ever had a GP3000 (which I had relegated to the wardrobe) I love the 2300.. I am simply amazed at its abilities.. In one week it picked out 7.4 grams of small to very, very tiny bits not much bigger than the full stops at the end of the sentence!!! Biggest bit was 1.4 grams but I call all this small heap of tiny stuff 'dandruff'. Ive never counted the number of bits ( my numeracy may not go that high)... Every area I tried gave at least one bit of dandruff.. Takes time to pick em outa the dirt especially since Vic seems very sodden now..
Is anybody filling their holes??? I found very few that were but myriads of open holes--shame on you-- but I used one 16 inch deep hole to bury the END of a coke can which I thought was about the size of a 4-5 oz nugget, and stamped the dirt very hard as I filled the hole ( aluminium response is more close to gold than lead)and my 2300 detected that about 18 inches ABOVE the site.. Working very slow the 2300 picked it 12 inches all around the spot directly over the target.. Working fast proved the 2300 wouldn't miss it..
Three of the 4 sets of batteries I used gave identical responses in the field and the 4000 Mah set didn't last as long as the 5000Mah sets.. The 4 th set are the Li-ion 3.7 volt with the adapters but I'm not in love with them although they seem to make the 2300 run smoother in setting 5, I didn't think they gave as crisp target response as the C cells.. What do others think.. One advantage of the Li-ions is the weight,,and at my 84 th year less weight is a big advantage!!!!
My verdit: the SDC2300 is a great machine.. noyungan

noyungan wrote:Hi Everyone,,
                 
My verdit: the SDC2300 is a great machine..  noyungan

Wish I could say the same for my one.  

JW  

ML have indicated that using the higher voltage lithium Ions in the 2300 will kill the warranty on electronic failures.
The SDC 2300 is designed to operate at a max 7 volts dc.......Worth thinking about I think. Two 18650s in series can pump up to 8.4 volts.

adrian ss wrote:ML have indicated that using the higher voltage lithium Ions in the 2300 will kill the warranty on electronic failures.
The SDC 2300 is designed to operate at a max 7 volts dc.......Worth thinking about I think. Two 18650s in series can pump up to 8.4 volts.

You got this info from ML? none of their supplied batteries operate anywhere near 7 volts, lucky to make 6 volts.

It is also worth noting that a Minelab dealer is supplying the 18650 Li-ion battery system!!! would they be doing this if it is going to void the warranty???

cheers dave

From ML Serv Dept today.

Hi Adrian
 
As you’ll be aware the voltage range of 2 x Li-Ion is different to 4 x C cell alkalines, in particular the upper voltage will be about 8.4 rather than about 7V max.
We have not tested the SDC at this Voltage level so I would suggest that you are doing so at your own risk & voiding Warranty if your Detector fails.
 
 
 
Regards,
Customer Service

adrian ss wrote:From ML Serv Dept today.

Hi Adrian
 
As you’ll be aware the voltage range of 2 x Li-Ion is different to 4 x C cell alkalines, in particular the upper voltage will be about 8.4 rather than about 7V max.
We have not tested the SDC at this Voltage level so I would suggest that you are doing so at your own risk & voiding Warranty if your Detector fails.
 
 
 
Regards,
Customer Service

So were the Beta testers again apparently.  

Also did you ask if the 2300 is internally regulated, because there is a big difference in volts even between what they are saying??

cheers dave

I doubt that there is a metal detector on the planet that does not have voltage regulated power supplies. Even old vlf /tr discriminators from the late seventies had voltage regulation. as well as thermal voltage regulation because it was quickly discovered that without voltage a temp regulation/compensation that the detectors would drift in and out of tune and loose detection depth. Hell I think even my old ww2 mine detector was voltage regulated to some degree.
      I am happy to use Alkalines and NiMh batteries. The 2300 seems to be pretty good out of the box so I won't be messing with it.
 
I have found a nifty little car 12 volt and 240 volt ac C Cell charger for 47 bucks and it seems to be working well. It has a fast charge and trickle charge to keep the cells topped up if you inadvertantly leave the batteries in the charger. As each cell becomes fully charged, there is a warning beeper to let you know.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ENECHARGER-NC1500U-FAST-AUTOMATIC-CHARGER-FOR-AAA-AA-C-D-9V-NICD-NIMH-CELLS-/161108429096?hash=item2582cf8928:g:jhMAAOSwv9hW5gow

I guess if others are trying boosters and different power supplies and they reckon the detector is working better then that is their business.
    I think Minelab know what they are doing where metal detectors and electronics are concerned.

Yes I would agree Adrian. Even though a Minelab dealer is prepared to sell you something doesn't mean Minelab have tested and ratified it's use. Personal choice to use or not use definitely.
I  think I found an explanation as to why the NIMH rechargeables only show half charge.
"Alkalines start at 1.5V and lose voltage at a pretty steady rate until about 1.0V, at which point the voltage plummets."
So at 1.5v it shows full charge on the SDC and at 1.25v about half charge and 1v would be low voltage warning?

"NiMH/NiCd.  These spend almost all their runtime between about 1.18V and 1.16V, at which point they suddenly plummet down to 1.1V or less.  So you can't reliably gauge how much capacity is left in the battery by testing the voltage.  That's why devices that try to tell you how much battery life you have left are notoriously inaccurate when powered with NiMH batteries"
At 1.2v to the runtime voltage of 1.18v-1.16v it only shows half charge or less but as per above this isn't reflective of capacity.
One type of battery I never investigated or have even seen mentioned are NIZN rechargeables. These hold a nominal full charge voltage of 1.6v-1.7v so are higher than alkalines and within the safe range of Minelab’s testing as communicated to yourself. Maybe worth thought for you or others considering SDC battery options and wanting higher voltage but within Minelab recommendations?

Adrian, many thanks for the tip re ML view on voltage and warranty.. noyungan

HomeRulez wrote:Yes I would agree Adrian. Even though a Minelab dealer is prepared to sell you something doesn't mean Minelab have tested and ratified it's use. Personal choice to use or not use definitely.
I  think I found an explanation as to why the NIMH rechargeables only show half charge.
"Alkalines start at 1.5V and lose voltage at a pretty steady rate until about 1.0V, at which point the voltage plummets."
So at 1.5v it shows full charge on the SDC and at 1.25v about half charge and 1v would be low voltage warning?

"NiMH/NiCd.  These spend almost all their runtime between about 1.18V and 1.16V, at which point they suddenly plummet down to 1.1V or less.  So you can't reliably gauge how much capacity is left in the battery by testing the voltage.  That's why devices that try to tell you how much battery life you have left are notoriously inaccurate when powered with NiMH batteries"
At 1.2v to the runtime voltage of 1.18v-1.16v it only shows half charge or less but as per above this isn't reflective of capacity.
One type of battery I never investigated or have even seen mentioned are NIZN rechargeables. These hold a nominal full charge voltage of 1.6v-1.7v so are higher than alkalines and within the safe range of Minelab’s testing as communicated to yourself. Maybe worth thought for you or others considering SDC battery options and wanting higher voltage but within Minelab recommendations?

Perzactly correctomundo. 

Here is another option using Lithium rechargable c size batteries, these will be keeping the volts within the ML suggested range.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262228887036?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

They look good Dave. I will admit that I know stuff all about the LI Po batteries. 
All you would have to do is sort out an in car charger system and one of those little USB cig lighter plug in thingies would probably do the job.

I always thought that Li Po was the same as Li Ion as far as terminal voltage was concerned and it was just the packaging that was different??     


PS.
Just found this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_polymer_battery#Safety

adrian ss wrote:They look good Dave. I will admit that I know stuff all about the LI Po batteries. 
All you would have to do is sort out an in car charger system and one of those little USB cig lighter plug in thingies would probably do the job.

I always thought that Li Po was the same as Li Ion as far as terminal voltage was concerned and it was just the packaging that was different??....So they call it in this case a 1.5 volt C Cell size but that the voltage is 3.7 per cell??


PS.
Just found this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_polymer_battery#Safety

I know someone that is using these batteries in the SDC2300 and is very happy with them. So 4 of these at 1.5v = 6 volts, I don't know where they say they are "3.7 per cell" 4 x 3.7v as this would be 14.8volts

cheers dave

Text removed.

they are internally regulated down to 1.5 v to make them work like a standard c cell

Found out a bit more about the SDC 2300 Water proof  HP Plug & Socket.

    The plug and socket is Water prof in that water cannot get back past the socket or plug pins into the back of the Plug/socket but it can get into the inside of the connecting surfaces of the plug/socket shell housings and therefore water could penetrate in and around the pins.

Unlike the Infinium coil and HP plugs and sockets which are totally water proof once the collar has been tightened, the SDC2300 HP connector will allow water into the friction fit areas of the plug and socket

So it would be very wise to flush the connectors with clean water and dry the connectors after you have been submerging the detector with HPs attached. Also a good idea to check the inside of the connectors for sign of corrosion at regular intervals.

Just got back from the coast between Surf Beach and Broulee South Beach. Took the safari and the 2300, the Safari did not see the light of day.
      The SDC was fine and located some more very long lost coins at good depth in the wet sand with a one cent coming out from between approx 15 to 18 inches and once again steel bottle caps at too bloody deep.
I gave it a short run in shallow water with no probs of falsing under itty bitty waves.
    Also could not get the ground balance quite right this time round. Same beaches as last time but at different time of day.
      The Cam Locks are not locking tight and tend to slip whenever I use the SDC as a leaning post while chatting to a couple of forum members who I met on the beach.

kiwijw wrote:

noyungan wrote:Hi Everyone,,
                 
My verdit: the SDC2300 is a great machine..  noyungan

Wish I could say the same for my one.  

JW  

G/Day JW.
What is the prob with your 2300?

adrian ss wrote:Just got back from the coast between Surf Beach and Broulee South Beach. Took the safari and the 2300, the Safari did not see the light of day.
     
      The Cam Locks are not locking tight and tend to slip whenever I use the SDC as a leaning post while chatting to a couple of forum members who I met on the beach.

Its not a walking cane! Although i tend to do it a little as well.

Hehe.. You are getting hooked on the sdc2300..

Yes Jen it's growing on me.
       Am wondering if you have tried the Salt settings while nugget hunting?
I find a very distinct increase in sensitivity to small and medium gold in any of the salt settings over the Norm mode on  some fairly tough ground?

If I had a brain and knew how to put a video up on the forum I could do a demo.

adrian ss wrote:Yes Jen it's growing on me.
       Am wondering if you have tried the Salt settings while nugget hunting?
I find a very distinct increase in sensitivity to small and medium gold in any of the salt settings over the Norm mode on  some fairly tough ground?

If I had a brain and knew how to put a video up on the forum I could do a demo.

G'day Adrian

You need to put the video on Youtube and then link it to the forum.

cheers dave