moondog69

NVR mind I saw a post by Phrunt via Google that has a close up of the charger and the one I have is exactly the same so Yeah! 

Thanks to anyone that answers without seeing this first. 👍

This is my stop gap solution. Seems I can't edit my previous post ( or I haven't figured out how yet)

On 3/24/2015 at 6:20 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

This is as simple a basic guide as I can imagine, and simple is often best. You can get a GPX real screwed up fiddling with the settings! So the most important tip of all is The Factory Reset......

This response is exactly why I had a 5000 for a long time and have never even used it once. I bought it when I had lots of motivation and $$$ obviously but had 0 time. Especially when I had an E-trac that was so easy to use. Well fast forward 5-10 years and I finally am ready to start playing around with it. All 3 kids are out into the world, I'm down from 3 jobs to 1, and side businesses is also down to 1. Plenty of time during the week to get familiar with the 5000. This noob guide is greatly appreciated. With that I have a serious question. Pretty sure I have all the pieces and bits that came with it. However after looking through 3 giant tubs of cables, chargers and the like I am not 100% sure I have the "mains charger" anymore. I'm an electronics and computer guy so I've built a lot of "stuff" over the years so I have a question for those that have a GPX5000 currently. I do have a charger that looks like the picture in the GPX 5000 ads. However on the back of the charger it says that the output is 24v. Is that what your chargers say too? I used the car charger to attempt to charge the Liion pack on my way to work today considering that is over 1 hour and I have my DIY 12V battery that I built for field operations of my bilge pump as I posted in another forum with a cigarette lighter option on it seeing it if can still hold a charge without being used for ever. But I am not sure about the internal controls I.e. wiring or bms of the battery and would rather not connect a 24v charger to a 7.4 Liion without checking with others that have one.  

So those that do have one, would you be so kind as to get a magnifying glass out and tell me what it says on your mains charger. Mine says 120/240 input and 24Vdc and (I don't remember the amps) for output. I left it at the other house😭

Guidance appreciated in advance!

On 3/2/2024 at 2:38 AM, TampaBayBrad said:

I googled it up and couldn't find anything that says you can't detect the 31 miles of Maryland's Atlantic ocean beach. I bet it's a great place to detect since it's so crowded in the summer. Go at night with a headlamp to avoid the crowds.

I guess it depends on who own and runs the  beaches. I live a few hours away from the closest MD beach. And this is the MD guidelines for detectorists.

I. General
It is the policy of the Maryland Park Service to safeguard the archaeological resources under its care.

II. Policy

A. Digging in search of buried relics or treasures, the removal of any prehistoric or historic artifacts, and the use of metal detectors (except as noted in D, below) within the boundaries of lands, beaches, or under waters controlled by the Maryland Park Service is strictly prohibited without a permit from the Office of Archaeology, Maryland Historical Trust, Department of Planning.

B. Permits are only issued to archaeologists and other qualified persons who present a plan for scientific investigation, to be carried out under provisions of the Maryland Archaeological and Submerged Archaeological Historic Properties Acts, as amended.

C. Copies of the law and application for permit can be obtained from the Chief, Office of Archeology, Maryland Historical Trust.

D. The only exception to the aforementioned permit requirements shall be for the use of metal detectors in the search for modern coins, jewelry, etc. on all designated swimming beaches operated by the Maryland Park Service, with the exception of Point Lookout State Park and Calvert Cliffs State Park, and all adjacent waters controlled by the Service.

1. Permission to use these devices for this purpose must be obtained from the Park Manager.
2. These devices may be used during normal park hours except:
   
   a. From 9:00 a.m. through dusk from May 30 through Labor Day, and;
   
   b. At any other time, at the discretion of the Park Manager, when use of these devices would interrupt the recreational enjoyment of other park visitors

On 2/24/2024 at 10:28 AM, CalReg said:

Nice hunt. My wife is originally from Maryland (PG County). I know there are some Civil War sites around there. Would love to hit those. Have you ever thought about hitting the beaches around Rehoboth, Dewey or Ocean City? I bet those places would produce a lot of gold and silver! Happy hunting!

Sad thing is that MD is anti metal detecting pretty much everywhere. No state parks, public lands, beaches etc. Only private land is good and that is a PIA. I'm sure there are many that still detect but until I retire I'm a strict law follower.... don't want to get my clearance pulled or need to answer stupid questions to investigators. 🙂

Here is the other reason I used the larger box. The 2 lipo4 batteries that I made are too wide to fit in the smaller narrow box. Now I can use these as a quick replacement or fashion a parallel connector to double the run time. Options always options. I always tease my wife my name should have been "Justin Case" lol

Rex

52 minutes ago, moondog69 said:

I'll go back up measure it for ya in a little while. It's a medium travel humidor. There was a decent sale last year and I purchased 30- 40 of them in all sizes as they are perfect for batteries.

I've included a pic of the box. It has the brand model # and the like. The case is 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch measuring from the out side. I originally used the smaller box in the picture and it fit fine. But like always I always over engineer everything. I decided it needed an on off switch, a cig accessory and a battery meter besides the terminals. So I moved into a bigger box. And if you are filling the wiring on the inside that is also over done. I wanted to be able to easily unplug the battery to be able to pop in another or to charge with my balancing charger etc. anyway hope that gives you at least 1 idea for inspiration and helps your field work easier.

Rex

1 hour ago, HardPack said:

What is the brand and dimensions of the travel box. Definitely appears more portable, could recharge if needed back at camp. 

I'll go back up measure it for ya in a little while. It's a medium travel humidor. There was a decent sale last year and I purchased 30- 40 of them in all sizes as they are perfect for batteries.

4 hours ago, HardPack said:

Been following the Eco-Worthy solar tracker. Also tested the Jackery 100 watt solar saga panel, it is only two folding panels which makes for an easier setup. Same DC7909 input jack plus when the sun was not behind the clouds produced 90 watts and more. After the next storms past through I’ll take the HB setup out to the claim and runs some dirt. 

Just got done building myself a small Liion 12V battery to run the bilge pump on my Boar Box. This is a 4s8p battery using the same batteries that they use for the Tesla battery packs. 3.7v 5000 mah batteries. This battery could run your bilge pump for 4-5 hours. I built it for mine and will run it for a full day. My bilge pump is only 1100 gph and is 3a vs your 7.5a.

I used a cigar travel box as the case and if I have something that needs 120v I also have a variety different size inverters. 

Haven't tested how long it will run that yet as I just finished this battery. The next battery will be lipo4 and run 2x longer. Maybe I'll throw the pump in the tub and let it run to verify runtime before I do actual field testing. 

Premade Liion and lipo4 are still waaay too expensive for me, so I just build my own. 

Hey Joe, 

Walkersville (Frederick) but during the week I live in Hanover. 😎

Wow thanks for the heads up on picks and the links to the sites!

Best wishes and a speedy recovery. 

The BIL had to help out at FLL so I decided to tag along for free hotel for 5 days. Went to Dania Beach since it is close to the airport. Tough conditions, they are driving huge trucks up and down the beach relocating sand. Almost impossible to get in a groove before having to sprint out of the way as to not get run over. 

Brought the Etrac this time and in 5 days of jumping , bobbing and weaving. I ended up with bout $2.75 in silver about 25 pennies ( none were old) a toy garbage truck and a single earring ( real stone but not expensive. Well it was fun to get out during the winter ( I live in MD) and get on the beach.

Better luck next time I guess.

Hello All,

A current dabbler at metal detecting and gold prospecting. Slowly buying all the gear I'll need so I can go full time when I retire in a few years. 

Currently having fun in Florida as an opportunity popped up last minute. Reacquainting myself with my Etrac. Unfortunately with the last minute trip I didn't pack all I'd like. Therefore I'm limited to 2-3 hours at the beach per day before the battery is dead. Looks like I'll have to tear that thing apart and convert it to Liion. "Yes I know keeping the peak Voltage below 13V.

Nice to virtually meet Y'all