Surf PI Pro

[igull]

Yet another Surf PI

Hi All

Just finished my surf pi from a silverdog pcb. Nice pcb, very well made.
My only issue was finding a control box to suit - 170mm is just on the long side for most instrument boxes - they end up too wide as a result.
However, there was probably a really good practical reason for making it long and thin (there's an opening for a joke there ) I'm just using it for the wet beach/mud - this one is actually going to a friend who is currently 'Minelabless' after the PSU board on his explorer died.
I laser cut a coil former from 3 layers of 2mm MDF with 6mm acrylic lugs - it's really surprisingly strong. I'd like to cut another set as a plug and vacform a cover from ABS next time - maybe use injected urethane foam for lightness instead of epoxy - I have all the kit from making making glider fuselages, it's just lazinesss to get started again
Machine is very light, just what I need really.
Looking forward to trying it out this weekend.
BTW, any mileage in making a huge coil for this beast, I haven't seen any mention in the forum?
Apologies for the dodgy iPhone pic.
Cheers
Neil

[bernte_one]

all pots at one side?

thats no problem you have to connect all post via cable to pcb

did you nee any photos?

[Jeroi]

Yes but you edited it as you have all the potentio meters on one side of the mobo?

[bernte_one]

hello jeroi

look here

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showpost.php?p=144808&postcount=32

regards

[Jeroi]

hello

my video is here

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showpost.php?p=150428&postcount=39

hope its alright and works

not found the ensetup but it shows tat project works

regards

Dont you have the CIrcuit print some where still? I was wanting to use your circuit as it is more suitable to wire all the pots in same side of the mobo. How ever your black and white image is zoomed from real image and it prints the hole paper as zoomed to big circuit. Don't you have schematic files for eagle anymore?

[Davor]

That one could do, but I'd go for hot glue instead. Works the same and its faster.

[chemelec]

Agreed!

There is a NON-Acidic Silicone Also Available.

[TH Jim]

...which keeps water from entering a contraption but also keeps vinegar fumes inside (released by silicone), and not too long after your copper connections will surely corrode. I did this mistake some time ago with a balun transformer. The entrails of it were mostly disintegrated after only one season

Agreed!

[bernte_one]

hello

my video is here

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showpost.php?p=150428&postcount=39

hope its alright and works

not found the ensetup but it shows tat project works

regards

[Jeroi]

Yes coil has aprox 40cm deep capability. I am going to build Surf-PI soon in couple weeks but at the moment I have the eti-561 circuit.

[bernte_one]

hello jeroi

how is the performance of your detector

have you tested your coil already?

go on, looks good

have my assembled in special shielded housing but im still not sure what coil i will use at the end
monoloop in bended water pipe with t connector

or a dual field like yous in massive coil body

heavy decision

regards

[Davor]

...and waterproof is made with silicone.

...which keeps water from entering a contraption but also keeps vinegar fumes inside (released by silicone), and not too long after your copper connections will surely corrode. I did this mistake some time ago with a balun transformer. The entrails of it were mostly disintegrated after only one season

[Jeroi]

Here is my double coil. Everything is attached with multipurpose construction clue and waterproof is made with silicone. Output is water pipe T model wich has rubber tightener inside and gives waterproof output.

[bernte_one]

hello jim

i would be easy with the dual coil if you take a concentric coil housing
for example a diy vacuum formed

in that coil you can place the dual field coil, the connector area (where the conector cable goes through) has to be filled with resin or clear laquer
and the rest of the shell could be filled with pu foam

or you find a souce where you can buy the original type of housing
(if you find let me know)


regards

[TH Jim]

Hi Bernd,

Glad to hear my PCB worked for you. I have not tried any of the substitute parts that have been suggested on here - I would like to know how you get on with them, and if there are any improvemnets in detection.

It would be nice to try a dual field coil but i think much more difficult to manufacture into a useable coil for beach work. The mono coils are so easy to put together using PVC pipe, and they are rugged and waterproof, how could we do that with a dual field coil?

Regards, Jim.