Joe Beechnut OBN

Yes, chunky design with a bird on it? I'll get a better picture later. Those surprise waves can be a disaster. I've lost one gold ring with one a few years ago. And almost lost this one too.

If it cracked in one spot just a matter of time for the full cable to has issues. Patching is just buying time and could possibly cost you the coil or machine if you do not catch the next crack/leak in time, since you submerge your machine. Saltwater loves to leach into the coil or control pod............ thru the cable and destroy. Good Luck, and that is a cool fitting.

Out with my buddy Mike in rough waters the other day. Eight silvers and One Old gold marked ... "Sept 29-99" Silvers in bad condition due to being submersed in the bay for many years. Being able to hunt "IN" rough water with a silent running machine allowed me to pull very faints targets normally not heard unless the water is flat. Conditions were 16 to 18 mph winds, choppy water. No falsing while swinging and no noise with the water slapping the machine at any level. I did notice after a few hours hunting I was getting a little noise at the end of my swing (right).. but realized it was from me getting sloppy with my swing. Coil control can really affect the performance. Mike and I over the years have talked and shared ideas on how to improve the xcal ........... this idea finally came to light...Stealth Xcalibur More changes are planned, working on another coil for it right now.

Love the Plat! And nice haul on the silver!

That looks Great!! My first couple times looked ruff! On the length, I would go with a little extra, I have one that goes straight down the shaft, no wrap. My latest I went with a foot extra... The machine pictured I've had out once, semi rough water. Silent, no falsing with water hitting the coil wire / pod and swing fast..... Taking it out Tuesday in Very Rougher waters, see if my idea works. The board is isolated from the outside surroundings.

Sorry to see the issues Cuda and good to see your back in business. I do think those that wait for the New "AQ" version will be much happier since there is no external battery wires and battery. The New version will have 4 drop in 18650 Li-ion cells. Very clean design.

It stays in, you need to cut the top off of the heyco pigtail (you took off) and screw it back on so when the epoxy is poured in, the heyco acts as a anchor to hold all in place. That make sense?

Thanks You! Replacing is not to hard, they don't look bad (O-ring) but maybe in the near future?

AQ...I know it is close... everything has been silent of late other then what Phil , owner of Myers, said the other night. When Jeff mentioned the mumbles, that is a Virginia Beach, Grave digger max "Phrase", He uses it a lot when he comes off the beach ... Mumbling to himself about,... not finding gold. Max, named Kenny (Corrected Denny), the Mumbles Man, for Denny found so many gold chains a few years ago.. He gives everyone else the mumble because they can't find any... I guess you might say, "Mumbles" is Virginia Beach Pirate talk.. And these are from Max's youtube video's, which he no longer does many on beach hunting.

Checking in to see your progress... Me...... Building a excalibur since I am unable to get out. Something I have talked about for some time, changing the pod around and eliminating most of the controls. Also made a couple 3s Li-ion batteries for it..12.6 volts.

That's a Very nice one!

Years ago when I use to make the 2.5 hour trip to OC MD to find gold, two different trips I got silvers (2). Both were clean as if they were just dropped. Both after different storms... One was a 1963 Rosy and the other a very worn 192? Peace dollar. I got the peace dollar find on video. My theory is, the ruff surf tumbles them around so much it's like being in a tumbler. These were found on the lower part of the beach, but when Sandy hit there were coins in close that got pushed near the boardwalk. So any place is possible.

Head phones you can buy some Grey Ghost or Tony E's and wire up.. Much easier then splicing a coiled cable in.. but just incase.. I listed what you need.

That's a fair question . Simple, stock is not shielded so I went with as close as I could to it .. 0.25 dia was important also. The Excalibur is very stable in saltwater so not much need, unless the water is rough as Bricks....but I am older and do choice the calmer days so no problems. EMI,... for all of my hunting the machine is submerged, never a issue. One could go with a shielded cable if they wanted, just run the shielding thru the heyco to endcap, thru the epoxy and ground it to the board. Also the heyco fitting that is used, 3240? is limited to the size of 0.26. Something I have talked about, the excalibur has SS knob shafts (Pictured) , I was thinking of changing them out using some type of plastic, which I can make since I have a lathe. I've tried different shielding over the years, even to the control pod.. No benefit as far as I could see. Forgot this, Now for a super silent hunting in rough waters.... Years ago I ran the control pod in my drysuit. Removing the pod from the saltwater... Crystal Clear audio ...

Thats a great save! Those are Hot tickets to sell also.

Heck of a find for MB! I have to show my relic hunting friend who always complains about the beach there..

Never a stupid question when it comes to trying. Years ago, I used the super seal shrink tubing but all it got me was a few months of hunting then it caused other issues. And funny, I got the same question you asked when the minelab detector center opened in PA. They were just getting set up and would ask different questions on things like this, can we just cover the wires? It is possible to seal the wires at both leak point, the coil and the endcap, but in time water will slowly weep thru the epoxy..... so what is needed is a Heyco fitting, (Pigtail -strain relief) then the epoxy. Plus the extra (sealed) protection of the wires not being exposed to water. You can take short cuts but in the end it will cost you the machine, saltwater is deadly to electronics, fresh you can get away with some leakage but you can't let it continue for it will do the same. That battery Ikelite fitting is a perfect example.. you can get away with it for a while but you start submerging it and in a few months water will work its way into the battery. There are no short cuts.

Might be a good Idea to make this the "How to repair a Excalibur" Post on Steve's forum. So I can refer all who ask in the future, since I no longer do this, other then my own machines. I will be adding to it for sometime. Coil Cable and repair Cable is from McMaster Carr.. #9204K12 4 lead.. 20/4..continuous flex.. .25 dia.

A coil I just fixed.. Something you will have to do also for those excalibur coils are impossible to obtain for they no longer sell them. Only way you can get one is maybe used or send your machine in for Minelab to install.

Not to be negative...........I would say it needs a complete over haul. What is your skill level? If you send it into the service center your looking at 650.oo plus to fix. Fixing it yourself, ........ if you have never had one apart, will be a challenge. Me setting here thinking about making you a parts list is over whelming. 😬 The reason I say that is because it is a water machine And "All" has to be perfect for its longevity. So what kind of hunting do you have planned?

I think you did the right thing. I used one here for a while and I liked the Fisher AQ Much better.. If your hunting rough waters the Nox is not the right machine and even the AQ, I doubt can take the banging surf. Like you, I love my Excalibur's and I just came across a great deal. Cost me 170.oo for 3 Excalibur's. Rough shape but I salvaged many good parts. The main thing, 3 working excal hearts.

Love the Color of Gold! 🏴‍☠️

Thank you.. I was setting here for a hour looking this thing over...I knew there would have to be something to keep the batteries balanced. This was my other picture but I was confused that the two far right negatives went thru diodes to a positive out. Then the two far left positive went to a Negative out. I see now I had the batteries backwards. Crazy but I love puzzles like this.

Being it is a expensive water machine and the battery compartment is not Big and the factor of you doing it yourself, then with limited knowledge of how to...I would try and purchase one from Fisher, or someone equal. Pulled diagram, Pimento will add the correct

Yes two Limited. Which I am Very Happy with. As far as I know on the New one, the gears are still turning. Confirmed now.