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Nice batteries can be found in used laptop battery packs. I found 6, nice batteries inside a HP laptop battery pack. All test good and can provide some nice project batteries. Some of the best on the market can be found in laptop batteries. A trip to the local computer repair shop can usually find some nice discarded batteries cheap. Brand: LG Model: LGEAS318650 (ICR18650S3) Capacity: 2200mAh Rated Voltage: 3.60V Nominal Charging: 4.20V Maximum 1075mA Standard 2150mA Maximum Discharging: 3.00V Cutoff 430mA Standard 4300mA Maximum Description: Blue Cell Wrapper White Insulator Ring 18650 Form Factor

I just ordered one of these as an experiment. In theory I can put regular AA batteries or rechargeable batteries in this power pack, and use it to run the Equinox as an external battery pack in case the internal battery goes dead. The question of course is how long will it power the Equinox depending on the batteries used? I always have a ton of AA batteries around, both alkaline and rechargeable, so this seems like a cheap experiment. Report back later. "This compact, portable USB power bank allows devices to be charged from 4 AA batteries while on the move. Ideal for smartphones, tablet computers and many other devices. • Powered by 4 AA batteries • Features a battery level indicator (green for alkaline and blue for rechargeable) • Power supply: 4 x AA batteries (not supplied) • Output voltage: 5Vdc • Output current: 800mA • Dimensions: 79 x 34 x 34mm • Weight: 40g" EMERGENCY USB BATTERY POWERED POWER BANK

Why do so many metal detecting companies use 9V batteries for their products? What is this, 1979? 9V batteries aren't even used exclusively in smoke detectors anymore. I want a new pinpointer but I'm absolutely appalled that so many of them use 9V batteries. Is there a logical or engineering reason for this?

I was charging stuff off my truck a few years ago, and at one point was not paying attention and had the heater turned on in the truck while I had the key on but motor off. A panic situation developed when my truck was dead in an out of the way spot, but I got lucky and was able to round up a jump. Still, it spooked me and I have been taking a spare 12V battery with me in my truck on my trips by myself to remote places, especially when out of cell range. Driving around with a spare wet battery is a pain for various reasons, so I have been eyeballing an alternative for over a year now. My preferred option was a bit expensive for my taste, but my recent sale of extra detectors and such left me with some funds, so I pulled the trigger. NOCO Genius Boost Pro GB150 4000 Amp 12V Lithium Jump Starter This baby is overkill I am sure, but I kept worrying about cheaper units. When dealing with emergency gear I am not sure cheaper is better! Anyway, this thing will jump start almost anything, can charge detectors, etc., has a built in flashlight and 12V meter, and only weighs 6 lb 3.3 oz or 282 grams on my postal scales. Specification Sheet

Just my opinion...I feel the power cord that goes from the battery to the detector is the weakest link in the whole detector system. You can just breath on the thin metal around the plug prongs and bend it. The factory Minelab ones are super fragile. If you barely bump them on something, they are going to bend. Last week I was hooking myself up to go detecting and the cord end hit the ground. Not pavement mind you...just grass and dirt. I picked it up and saw it had bent it! I luckily had a pair of needle nose in the truck and was able to halfway bend it back in shape to where I could hook it up but I was worried about it breaking. This isn't the first time this has happened with previous GPX models. Anyway...I decided to go after market on the cord. I bought a CoilTek and it came this morning. To my dismay...it too is very thin and came out of the shipping package bent! Why can't they make those things a little tougher!?? Such a critical part that is made so flimsy and cheap. I know a lot of guys go to the Gold Screamer pack and eliminate the big cord all together. I tried one and did not like the sound quality so I went back to the regular setup. I don't even mind being tethered to the battery...just wish the ends of the power cord were beefier. I was at a DIV one year where a guy dropped his cord in the hotel parking lot and he bent his so bad that he couldn't straighten it well enough to use. His hunt was shot because of a small incident.

Just a quick reminder for those of us living in areas where old man winter is bringing our detecting season to a close. Page 8 in the Equinox manual has a “Battery maintenance” note indicating the lithium batteries should be charged every 3 or 4 months when the equipment is not being used for long periods of time in order to keep battery performance from declining. Don't forget to charge the WM-08 module and the Bluetooth headphones as well. Click for larger version....

Just thought I would share my wireless setup for anyone thinking of trying this. I have used Avantree Saturn Pro (Low Latency) bluetooth Transmitter/receiver and some Camcorder batteries. I have also got a couple of Lipo batteries from my RC which run the 5000 really well as they keep their voltage for longer. The leads I made myself with genuine power plugs and a deans RC battery plug and a 1/8 audio jack so as to go straight into bluetooth wireless module. These little module are very good and are lasting well over the 8 hour mark on a charge, and their size and weight make them very versatile. The 7200mah pack and wireless module come in at 325 grams with leads included this lasts about 5-6hours I have made up a couple of 3400mah packs with 18650 cells and these weight 180 grams with module and leads and lasts about 3 hours. I have a 5000mah Lipo hardcase which weight 200 grams with both wires and module, this goes for 7 hours before the low voltage alarm comes. Lipo batteries aren't for everyone as they can be a little volatile, but I am yet to have one explode and treat them with care when charging with a good lipo charger.

Li-Ion 26650 3.7V 5000 mAh

I pick this up from Sam’s Club a while back and had it long enough to express my opinion on it. First this is what I’m talking about. Atomi 2pk recharge 10000 mAh battery item number 980062810 at 27.91 rated 4.3 stars. I can charge my Nox two times out of each pack and my iPhone three to four times. Each pack come with its own charging cable. Here is what they look like below. What I like about them is when the item is charge it stops charging. I keep each in a ziplock with one has the Nox charging cable. The next picture shows the LED’s with each showing a 1/4 power of the pack. They are great in the field! Chuck

Perhaps of interest just received a bit of "blog" on internet, might be useful to charge your detector/gear up out in the field. https://www.banggood.com/Outdoor-20W-Multifunction-Portable-Manual-Crank-Generator-Emergency-Survival-Power-Supply-p-1225105.html?utm_design=18&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=Mail_mailad323_dealalert&utm_campaign=newsletter—emarsys&utm_content=Yoshiki&sc_src=email_2910641&sc_eh=30723af58dfb79b31&sc_llid=148577&sc_lid=112998216&sc_uid=l2mpbuqX6Z&cur_warehouse=CN

The USB ports in cars are notorious for being 1 amp or less so picked up one of these off Amazon to top off the charge between sites if I realize I have left home without a full charge on the NOX. $7.59. Brand isn't particularly important just that it is capable of putting out a min of 2 amps per port. RAVPower 24W 4.8A Metal Dual Car Adapter with iSmart 2.0 Charging Tech - Black .

Can anyone advise me on what USB charger I should get for the Equinox 800 please?

I charge mine with a motorola 2 Amp phone charger:

Just a heads up... Seeing a few of the charging leads coming apart at the head. Could be a batch problem as some I have seen look 100% OK and have had some use... Others seem to have started showing problems - see the 3 pics of my 2 charging heads AND the last pic.. (not mine) is at time of un packing; and was almost separated... One of mine is not crash hot and the other could fail with a little push. A simple weld will fix the problem, but will be e-mailing ML service to let them know.

Got my Equinox 800 to solar charge, well kind of . The external battery bank and solar charger will help for those extended trips to the desert. I got it on ebay, and put a mount on the detector.

Although I have several USB chargers including a dual 2.4 amp I'm running out of space outlet wise both on the surge protector for the computer ect and the spare outlet a few feet away. This looks lie a good option to replace the spare outlet and allow more hookups for USB use. Got a good review stat wise on the wire cutter site USB outlet Note however that it is rated for 15 amp circuits only

This is an added document that arrived with my Equinox. Extremely important. Out of the 8 USB chargers in my house, none were UL certified. Trip to Wal-Mart is in order. Click for larger version....

In the manual minelab say 5.0v 1a Can wecharge the nox with samsung fast charging Phone 5.0v 2.0 a ?

Dose anyone charge their gpx 5000 with solar panels?? Please and thanks

Nakky

Thanks Steve! Just wondering how that would work for a carry on on an airplane, I don't trust check in with anything electronic plus from what I've read, lithium battery items aren't allowed in check in so want to make sure it's travel worthy. I figured there would be headphones as well since bluetooth isn't an option for submersion. Thanks!

I was delighted to discover that the 12-volt vehicle charger for the GPZ 7000 also fits the the rechargeable battery of the Gold Monster 1000...buh-bye inverter & alligator clips!

I need to replace my original Minelab rechargeable C batteries. I have used a set with 6000mAH and they work great, Now I see that 10000mAH C batteries are available and much cheaper than the 6000aMH I purchased 2yrs ago, has anyone used these and is the run time longer?

So rather than spend $200 for the XP branded case I thought I could do better. So first I bought the Plano model 108442 gun rifle case for $70 shipped on Amazon

I know it is ok to use the 3030 battery in the GPZ. Is it ok to use the GPZ battery in the CTX? I am thinking the larger battery would help with balance when using the large coil. Any thoughts? Norm