Towable Coil Design

[sandiegoman]

I was searching for large coil designs, but I guess my search function got shut off. Can anyone provide direct links to articles regarding making a large towable coil for a PI Detector? I can't wait to get started!

Thank you!

[Qiaozhi]

I was searching for large coil designs, but I guess my search function got shut off. Can anyone provide direct links to articles regarding making a large towable coil for a PI Detector? I can't wait to get started!

Thank you!

You cannot use the search function until you have made at least one post. You've just done that so it should now be working.

[sandiegoman]

I see! Thanks!

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15459

[sandiegoman]

I think I have read everything on making a very large coil, but I haven't found any new information about the experiences people have had using their coils. Before I start building my coil with all the excellent information I have found here, does anyone have any ideas on how to make it as quiet as possible?

I was planning on making a 36" square coil, housed in PCV like some of the others have constructed and putting it on wheels of some sort to pull behind a mountain bike and/or atv. But the area I plan on detecting is very rocky and there will be no way to avoid constant bouncing...

I imagine the guys on meteor men just had to deal with the noise, but I am trying to find information on how to minimize this. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I am using a Whites TDI and am primarily looking for meteorites, gold if I am lucky and relics from the good ol days gone past. I belong to a prospecting club called Miners Creek out in AZ where they have numerous claims.

Thanks! I love this forum!

[joecoin]

To eliminate some of the bouncing; don't put it on wheels, mount it on a rigid frame that attaches directly to the bike or atv.

[authere]

Tow Coils

Hi All,
The problem with an ATV is that they dont go slow enough (1Meter/sec sweep speed) the cog on the rear axle would need changing to slow it down, some also use deisel engined ATV's because of the electrical interference(spark plugs).Most big coils are put on a frame with wheels and pushed, ideal for salt lakes, others will jump inside the frame and use a shoulder strap arrangement to carry the coil,I don't recommend swinging anything over 1kg as your shoulder will give in over time.
If there is large objects passing under the coil faster sweep speeds would work but to the detriment of the smaller ones(nuggy's). These large coils are very sensitive to objects on ones body, belt buckles picks,GPS ,radio anything metalic.
Many people use large coils it just takes some figuring out to make them work.
I hope this info helps with your choices,
Regards Ron

[sandiegoman]

Thanks for all the info about this. It appears the guys on meteor men were able to have success, but they might just be dealing with the noise... Are there any other devices that would be better than a metal detector to search for things underground?

I am going to make the towable design and any information on shielding or reducing the noise as much as possible would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[grungymike]

blanket coil

You mentioned working in a rocky territory. Take a look at the blanket coils advertised in accuratelocators.com. Being literally a coil in a blanket, it wouldn't have the bouncing around on rough ground that a stiff framed coil would have. I've also heard of folks putting a coil on a sheet of plywood for the same reason. They just skid the thing over rocks, etc...

gm

[rob357mag]

Just posting to turn on search function, thanks!!

Yup!!

[Reg]

Keep in mind that most meteorites found are stony types and many of them are not very large. So trying to use a real large coil may not be the best solution.

The guys on the TV show knew what they were looking for and the type of meteorite, so for them, the large coil high off the ground was a good choice. They were looking for Palasites and not stony types, so a large coil above the ground would work. Now, also keep in mind very few of this type of meteorite are found in any state.

I think there has been only one found here in Colorado. So, they are really quite rare. About 95% of meteorites found are stony types and they are much more difficult to detect. A good example are the ones found in Gold Basin AZ where many if not most are less than fist size. Actually, most are much smaller than that. Raise the coil a foot or so off the ground or use an extremely large coil and you may not ever detect this type if they are small.

So, to begin with you might consider a somewhat smaller coil, unless you know of a place where the more rare meteorites are found.

Reg