Jim in Idaho

AAAhhh...that explains alot, Chuck. So the demand of the detector does turn the battery on. That's really interesting. Never heard of anything like that. With a newer battery like that, I can see why it needs to go to the company. I appreciate the clear pics, too. They help with understanding the issue. I'm guessing a resistor, instead of a short, across the terminals may have let the battery stay "on". Jim

If you were just going to throw it out, I was thinking I'd pay the shipping so I could do some forensic analysis on it...LOL Don't own an SDC, so can't use it, but unfortunately, I'm a curious guy...Ha! Jim

What are you going to do with the bad battery? Jim

Wow! The detector may be signaling the battery to turn on? Never heard of anything like that, but technology is steadily moving on. Chuck, maybe it's setup so that it won't run with just one of the packs? I know nothing of SDC's, and am assuming from your description it has 2 packs? Jim

This is interesting, for sure. Looking forward to learning what's going on. I'm starting to wonder if there's a voltage regulator, built into the battery pack, that's faulty. Jim

Chuck, the only thing I can think of would be to check the charger output while under charging load. Forgive me if you thought of this already. If it were only 1 battery, I'd think it was a battery-management board error of some kind, but that's doubtful with 2 batteries. The common thing is the charger. Jim

Thanks, guys. Apparently his 'Nox is not now communicating with his aids. I was not aware that the 'Nox used a Bluetooth system. I thought it was some sort of proprietary setup. So, I'm wondering why it doesn't work? His wireless 'Nox headphones work fine, though he doesn't like them. Jim

I've got a Viet Nam era veteran buddy that got Bluetooth hearing aids (very nice) from the VA. He was asking the other day about connecting his aids via Bluetooth to his "Nox 800. Is there a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into a "normal" headphone output jack on the 'Nox? Jim

Jack, there's not a chance in H--- that this Coot is going into the water while I own it. After all those hundreds of hours rebuilding it, not going to risk damaging things. Coots can handle the water, but that's a far cry from "liking" the water. Even one of the original makers said that the "water thing" was way over-hyped. Mine is for deserts, mountains, etc. And crossing creeks up to 24" deep, for short distances is OK. In rebuilding this rig, I saw, up close and personal, the damage done by being immersed and not cared for afterward. As for "slow", I completely agree. Prospectors and rockhounds need to see the country they're going through. You can't identify anything at more than "walking" speed.😄 Jim

Yes...we moved here in 1975, and it's been a great place to spend our lives. No matter where we travel, we've never found a place that has everything we enjoy like Idaho. But boy, am I getting to hate the winters...LOL Jim

Cool story! Love that your daughter has the instinct...LOL I did finally call one into easy range in November of '06, but missed the shot. I really just think I didn't really want to kill it. I can't ever remember a single instance where I missed a shot at less than 60 yards. I called in a few others, but just glimpses. Calling lions alone, when it starts getting dark, and you get a "glimpse" will definitely get your attention...ha ha! I miss it to some degree, and will probably do it again, but only for pics. The excitement of calling lions is incredible, especially with mouth-blown calls. Jim

Speaking of that, Simon, I live only an hour from "Craters of the Moon" national monument, where the first men to the moon trained back in the old days. They call it that because the terrain resembles the surface of the moon as viewed by telescopes back then. Jim

No, it has a nice seat. The top of the seat is about 1" above the fender so it doesn't show in the video. I got the seatback frame built yesterday, and will get it installed tomorrow. Jim

Yeah...that would be bad, for sure. The downside of these is they're slow. Top end of about 25 depending on gearing. Mine's geared extra low, so top is about 20. But enormous torque in low range. These also have no suspension, or differentials, so shouldn't be used on pavement. But we outdoor-experienced guys understand that out in the desert or mountains 20 miles is a LONG way, so speed is not a big deal. I think the reason they don't make them is no market to speak of. Everybody wants to "baja" on them, and these Coots don't work for that. They made and sold about 10,000 of these between '65 and '85, and then the 4 wheelers came out, and that was the end. Somebody resurrected the brand, a few years later, with a model that had hydraulic drive instead of mechanical, but they only lasted a couple of years. Experts estimate there's only about 1,000 of the original Coots left. I've got one more, and know of 4 others a guy has that I'm going to look at this summer. There's no money to be made with them...I'll never get even my labor hours out of them at $10/hour...just enjoy making things that don't work operate again. Jim

Thanks...I'm going to take a few weeks away from Coots, and then start in on the other one I have...it's in REALLY bad shape. I also know of 4 others I'm going to look at this summer. Might end up buying them, too. I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess. Jim

Geof, I never find any nuggets. Thankfully I enjoy the hunt nonetheless.😄 Jim

Jason, here's a few pics of it slightly articulated. Note all 4 wheels are in contact with the ground. It will articulate 40* max.

Yes, Matt, they're fastened...LOL Thanks! Jim

Dave, you have no idea how happy it makes me to see your post. GGVG seems like a lifetime ago, and I've often wondered what had happened with you. I don't hunt much anymore. Occasionally, I get a guy wanting me to teach him howling, but that's about it. Prospecting has become my outdoor challenge in the last 10 or 12 years. I hope to never outgrow it. You were one of the most skilled callers I've known, and I've known more than a few. Jim

I'll get some video of that, Jason, but it's snowing like crazy today. Jim

I spent almost 400 hours in my cold shop this winter. I rebuilt a "COOT" ATV I bought in Utah last fall. When I bought it, it didn't steer. One kingpin was frozen, and the other 3 were very stiff. The engine had a stuck valve. The wheels needed new u-joints at each kingpin, and the worm gearboxes, and transmission needed seals. Wiring was shot, and the body needed prepped and painted. The wife and I decided we wanted to offroad together rather than wrestle individual 4 wheelers, and not wanting to spend big bucks on a side-by-side, and being a handy guy, this is what we ended up with. It's 4 x 4, articulated, 12hp, amphibious, and has a cargo capacity of 1,000 lbs. Top speed is 20, and in low range top end is walking speed. Will climb a 32* (70%) slope fully loaded. Should get us and our gear wherever we want to go, though slowly...LOL Jim

Thanks guys. I guess technology has more than madeup for the ultra-high frequency when it comes to VLF's. At one time that freq. advantage was the ne-plus-ultra for gold machines. it appears it no longer is. Jim

Ya know, Steve, I thought the Gold Kruzer would replace the Bug 2, being of high frequency. What happened with the Kruzer? I was interested for awhile, but it seems there's not much interest. Jim

I wouldn't sweat it, Steve. The answers do help others besides the OP's. As we go through life, we're bound to run into the occasional butthead. Irritates me, but nothing we can do about it. Jim

"Of course Gen 1 does not have a vernier GB, perhaps because the GB is not to touchy (critical) in finding the quiet GB position. Having not used a SL, I am guessing here." Actually, the Pro version of the Gen 1 (made for Australian use) has a "fine adjust" control. And, the more GB you dial in, the less sensitive it is. In effect, you are telling your detector to ignore a greater range of signals. The less GB you can use, along with having a stable machine, the better. Jim