Minelab FT16000

[Mechanic]

Hi Guys,

I have an ft16000 here that I am fixing(attempting to fix!!!) It has had the power input reversed. I replaced all the caps on the main power rail and several other ic's trannys etc around the power supply section. I have even re-wound the transformer. The outputs from the transformer are getting close to +-5v. I have a good switching signal from the 4093 to the 2 st100 fets(I have replaced these with bs170 and 2n7000) and the transformer side of these is being switched nicely. However within about 10 seconds of turning on the fets start to get really hot.

Does anybody know what the heck those st100 fets actually are and have a link to a datasheet cause I'll be buggered if I can find one This thing is doing my head in!

Cheers Mick

[ivconic]

Hi all on this topic is there a way to remove the paint or what ever they used to cover the numbers on I.C's to see the part number again with solvent or something ?
Has anyone achieve this,even getting to see the first or last numbers would be great.
It's for repair purposes.Like I said on last reply the GT16000 you can't see them but FT16000
you see all of them?I have a few detectors other brands like Garrett ADS again you see all the numbers but ADSIII ADS 7 you can't.If anyone has done it or knows the numbers on this models let us know .Thanks

I am not sure in this; but i assume there are no differences between FT and GT models, apart form maybe few semiconductor values.
IC's should be the same.
I might be wrong.

[conan]

I.C's Numbers

Hi all on this topic is there a way to remove the paint or what ever they used to cover the numbers on I.C's to see the part number again with solvent or something ?
Has anyone achieve this,even getting to see the first or last numbers would be great.
It's for repair purposes.Like I said on last reply the GT16000 you can't see them but FT16000
you see all of them?I have a few detectors other brands like Garrett ADS again you see all the numbers but ADSIII ADS 7 you can't.If anyone has done it or knows the numbers on this models let us know .Thanks

[conan]

GT16000 MINELAB

Does anyone know since this model compared to the FT16000 has all the I.C numbers black out.What the U12 is on the board? It's on the same spot where CD4093 is on the FT16000 I think by the pics above is also number U12.It's a 14 pin marked with white paint R that must be Minelabs code to identify the I.C .I think it might be the same as the FT16000 CD4093 but I'm not sure.It's next to the ST100 Transistors.I don't know why they bother to hide components,when you have the next model FT16000 and the XT17000 showing all the numbers specially the FT16000 that is nearly the same.If anyone knows for sure what the number is please let us know.If you have a diagram like the FT16000 above even better.Thank you all

[conan]

Position of I.C's

second one...

Really good work to have and photo copy in case I.C numbers are not there to fix and repair.BUT it could be misleading for a person.It just needs to be emphasize that some I.C's go upside down or sideways.Like example the CD4093 Mounts with the numbers upside down.And thank you ALTRA for the spot on equivalent on the ST100 Transistors found them in RS Components BS170 for only $1.20 for a pack of ten.
What was the problem before changing them and was the CD4093 next to them O.K. Thanks for your help

[Altra]

Hi Conan
Concerning the replacement of the ST100 fet. A BS170 is almost identical. A 2N7000 will work but the D and S pins are reversed. See data sheet for pin out. I have used both of these on Sovereign repairs.

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BS/BS170.pdf

[conan]

Minelab FT1600 and Gt16000

Hello guys since this topic is still not very old I will add one really
crucial part to it.Have you realized that the FT16000 is one off from the rest of the MINELABS worth it's weight in Gold.For the unknown
reason that is has and it shows all the I.C numbers and there are not blank out or painted or silicon over them like all the other models.Where they try to hide or protect the patent of the main
components I.C'S I think some of you will be going Uh that's right.
First Minelab Goldseeker 15000 most blank out follow by the GT
a few showing most covered in paint or coded.Next Ft16000 maybe
by mistake or place of production,slipped out like a normal
appliance with all the data numbers.Following FT16000 back to normal mystery numbers.On top of that they are very hard to repair
with the delicate circuit board tracks.And there is alot of them not working out there.One weakness on the Gt is the Tantalum 20uf
capacitor that seems to go crack and split with time and moisture
with climate or not usage.The FT removed that capacitor next to the St100 transistors but then the transistors seem to go too.
Regarding those transistors I can't find any data on them other then
they are Mosfet with Drain Gate and Source acting as a switch maybe because they are sensitive to Static or High electricity.I have an Ft16000 that someone repaired or tried to fix before and they replaced the ST100 transistors but made a mess of the circuit tracks
and used the legs of transistors to join contacts.It's not working or detecting properly,with a constant uncontrollable threshold in all
metal mode.Maybe they are gone again since repaired was done.
But it will be a nightmare to replace them with the previous work
done.I'm thinking because the near CD4093 I.C was also replaced
maybe try that one first.Anyway before this gets to long I'll wait
for any comments opinion or guidance help on Data with the St100 or replacement equivalents I think a 2N7000 will do but
would like to make sure.

[ivconic]

If somebody ever ask me; how do i imagine "perfect" vlf - my answer will be:

"Minelab FT16000 with Discrimination accuracy as at Explorer SE"...

I hope guys from Minelab will see and read this.
Because, real "old school" hunter as me, really not need various "LCD's, soft knobs, various video game graphics...etc..etc..."
All we need is FT16000 look like machine with perfect GEB and more better Disc.
Nothing else.
And if we consider the fact that FT16000 was made back in 1994. ...!!!
...
(i'll better shut up now...)

[ivconic]

Must specify again that i never seen such efficient GEB behavior at other machines ever.
FT16000 is state of the art considering GEB behavior.
I had more modern Minelabs also, had Explorer XS and later SE. Both are splendid machines.
Explorer SE is on the very top of my "best of VLF" list. It has also splendid GEB behavior.
Yet at FT16000 i (somehow have impression) kind a met a bit more "pert" GEB behavior than on any other model ever.
FT16000 would definitely stand on "best of the best" place if it's Disc was better...
Yet, it's Disc is not that good and is accurate only up to few inches in soil.
Kind a disappointing. I dug to much holes and got to many irons with it on few terrains...

[ivconic]

Coil is TX=1mH and RX=19mH.
So i tried that coil with Musketeer XS - working nice!
Also tried TS1000 (for Musk) with FT16000 - working nice!
So, FT16000 coil is usable also for Musketeers (and vice versa) and of course for IGSL!

[ivconic]

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[ivconic]

second one...