Fine tuning a Surf PI

[coininator]

Wondering if anyone has ever done a thread on improving the performance or fine tuning the Surf Pi? I am aware of info in some of the troubleshooting threads but couldnt find a step by step kind of approach with what should be seen at what testpoints on a scope and how to fine tune for the newbie.

[sinclairuser]

more than enough info is in the surf threads, to build and tune the surf pi, we are not in here to write hand holding threads to guide you.
the only reason some folks want a step by step guide to the kits is because they want to buy kits build them and sell them on ebay, that is not the purpose of the kits, and that mentality should be discouraged, my personal opinion is that far to many threads are posted here and elsewhere regarding the trouble they have building the surf.
when its just about the easiest kit to build if you know what you are doing, at the end of the day a certain level of knowledge and equipment is required and this is not being followed.
there is an element around in metal detecting who see the cost of the pi's on sale, see the cost of kits, and see pound signs, someone on thunting actually admitted this is what he was up to.
i would urge silverdog to limit the sale of kits to two per customer per month, as any more than that just rings alarm bells with me.
the type of person i'm on about are not EE's or even hobbyists, as they have the skills to do their own work, or their own design.
they want to get a load of kits and and be hand held through construction to sell them on ebay and that bothers me.
look at it this way, if a guy wants a bar-b-que but has no skills to build one, then he has to buy one or pay a skilled person to build it for him, thats how it works.
if that is not what you are up to then i appologise, but thats why step by step guides should not be created in my view, all info is right here no need to spell it out.
at the end of the day there is no money in building these kits, as a proper hobbyist or EE putting one together and making a proper finished product, as it would be cheaper to buy the real thing off whites.
but they think 10 hrs soldering, +10 hrs tinkering =4-500 quid.

[coininator]

more than enough info is in the surf threads, to build and tune the surf pi, we are not in here to write hand holding threads to guide you.
the only reason some folks want a step by step guide to the kits is because they want to buy kits build them and sell them on ebay, that is not the purpose of the kits, and that mentality should be discouraged, my personal opinion is that far to many threads are posted here and elsewhere regarding the trouble they have building the surf.
when its just about the easiest kit to build if you know what you are doing, at the end of the day a certain level of knowledge and equipment is required and this is not being followed.
there is an element around in metal detecting who see the cost of the pi's on sale, see the cost of kits, and see pound signs, someone on thunting actually admitted this is what he was up to.
i would urge silverdog to limit the sale of kits to two per customer per month, as any more than that just rings alarm bells with me.
the type of person i'm on about are not EE's or even hobbyists, as they have the skills to do their own work, or their own design.
they want to get a load of kits and and be hand held through construction to sell them on ebay and that bothers me.
look at it this way, if a guy wants a bar-b-que but has no skills to build one, then he has to buy one or pay a skilled person to build it for him, thats how it works.
if that is not what you are up to then i appologise, but thats why step by step guides should not be created in my view, all info is right here no need to spell it out.
at the end of the day there is no money in building these kits, as a proper hobbyist or EE putting one together and making a proper finished product, as it would be cheaper to buy the real thing off whites.
but they think 10 hrs soldering, +10 hrs tinkering =4-500 quid.

While I agree with your with some of what you say above as far as people making a profit off these kits, I dont agree with your view on the guides. I suppose you think Carl's guide on the Hammerhead design was a total waste of time on his part. I think it was a fantastic guide and helps one understand the ins and outs of the build and actually learn about how it functions. What some people seem to forget is not everyone is an Electrical Engineer. Some would like to learn more about electronics and have to start somewhere. I have built 2 kits so far both worked from the start with no problems but I still have read thru the troubleshooting threads as I thought it would be a good learning experience. As an amateur radio operator I have built other circuits and equipment so I am not new to soldering or using test equipment but I still learn something new with every project. Some like to learn others just want the end product but everyone has to learn by reading or being taught. My thanks go out to Carl, Silverdog, and many others on here who have the patience and are willing to spend the time to help others who are not as experienced with metal detector technology and electronics.

[sinclairuser]

no its obvious to me you are NOT one of the element i'm on about, i just dont think it should be made too easy, as it happens a guide like the hh for the surf would be usefull, especially if it covered both versions, some builders have had problems with it recently it seems through confusion over schematics.
now the forum is only viewable to members, it may be something to think about.
my anger towards kit freeloaders pops up from time to time, a ukforum i'm on had to ban a member a bar his ip, all because he got really silly, originally due to me refusing to build him a barracuda, then he wanted to buy ten surf kits and sell them on ebay.
and i told him to build waterproof merchantable units would cost more than buying them off whites, he just did not have a clue, he then blitzed my inbox with degrading porn.
there have been posts on thunting and other sites in the same vein, silly people looking to get rich, it would be funny if it wasn't sad.
if anyone is interested in doing a guide they will post but it may take a while some threads take a bit to get going.
oh and welcome to the forum.

[coininator]

no its obvious to me you are one of the element i'm on about, i just dont think it should be made too easy, as it happens a guide like the hh for the surf would be usefull, especially if it covered both versions, some builders have had problems with it recently it seems through confusion over schematics.
now the forum is only viewable to members, it may be something to think about.
my anger towards kit freeloaders pops up from time to time, a ukforum i'm on had to ban a member a bar his ip, all because he got really silly, originally due to me refusing to build him a barracuda, then he wanted to buy ten surf kits and sell them on ebay.
and i told him to build waterproof merchantable units would cost more than buying them off whites, he just did not have a clue, he then blitzed my inbox with degrading porn.
there have been posts on thunting and other sites in the same vein, silly people looking to get rich, it would be funny if it wasn't sad.
if anyone is interested in doing a guide they will post but it may take a while some threads take a bit to get going.
oh and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome. I understand your frustration. Some people don't get what it takes to design, manufacture. and assemble a working product and get it to market. The parts and kits may not be really expensive but it takes time to source whats needed and assemble it properly. Can't see anyone making it rich selling these kits. Its more for personal enjoyment and the satisfaction one gets from making something themselves that works and learning from the process.

[sinclairuser]

Thanks for the welcome. I understand your frustration. Some people don't get what it takes to design, manufacture. and assemble a working product and get it to market. The parts and kits may not be really expensive but it takes time to source whats needed and assemble it properly. Can't see anyone making it rich selling these kits. Its more for personal enjoyment and the satisfaction one gets from making something themselves that works and learning from the process.

post number4 should start its obvious to me you are NOT one of the bad element,
george or carl please edit it as i'm now locked out, i dont know how i missed that.
i apologise to coininator and the forum.
@ coininator exactly the price of proper waterproof enclosures, pots and switches, a genuine surf coil it adds up add in the manpower costs and it really adds up, ive costed it it wont work not cheaper than whites.
unless you cut corners then its it not the same thing.
because a non waterproof surf is like a bucket with a hole, people would want fully spec surf, home made coils and tupperware enclosures wont cut it.

[Qiaozhi]

post number4 should start its obvious to me you are NOT one of the bad element,
george or carl please edit it as i'm now locked out, i dont know how i missed that.

Post edited as requested.

[sinclairuser]

thanks george, its a sore subject for me, i guess i wasn't paying proper attention .

[coininator]

post number4 should start its obvious to me you are NOT one of the bad element,
george or carl please edit it as i'm now locked out, i dont know how i missed that.
i apologise to coininator and the forum.
@ coininator exactly the price of proper waterproof enclosures, pots and switches, a genuine surf coil it adds up add in the manpower costs and it really adds up, ive costed it it wont work not cheaper than whites.
unless you cut corners then its it not the same thing.
because a non waterproof surf is like a bucket with a hole, people would want fully spec surf, home made coils and tupperware enclosures wont cut it.

Not a problem I figured it was a typo and I knew what you meant to say.

[coininator]

Just to show that I am a hobbyist and not a troll this is my first build... lol. Case is waterproof supposedly good to 100 ft. Apm hexseals on controls. Rectangular board. Headphones home brew 30db with Kobitone speakers. Shaft is Garrett lower with paint extension shaft with bike handle for grip. Coil home brew 8" housed in an acquired coil housing. Still have a few things to finish but it air tests about 10" to 12" on most U.S. coins. Needs some fine tuning and labeling but in all a fun project to do and will be usable. Working on the longboard version now may try sticking that in an acrylic tube.

[sinclairuser]

well done i like it, thats what these kits are all about, learning the art.

[Matt_Rowe]

@Coininator,
Do you use more for the beach(surf,water), or for land use,say inland, not the dry sand, or both.

[Silver Dollar]

Try this blog. It tells how to build and tune;
http://www.adrianandgenese.com/blogg...rom-a-diy-kit/

[coininator]

@Coininator,
Do you use more for the beach(surf,water), or for land use,say inland, not the dry sand, or both.

Do be honest I just finished it and the weather hasnt been good so I havent really had it out much. Will use it for the beach and in the water as it sealed pretty well. The next version with the longboard will be setup more for underwater use. Will try it inland tho just for the fun of it.

[coininator]

Try this blog. It tells how to build and tune;
http://www.adrianandgenese.com/blogg...rom-a-diy-kit/

Thanks but I have read this, nice blog but I was looking for more advanced changes and tuning info. Been reading and collecting bits and pieces here and there just thought someone might have done something like the Hammerhead guide that Carl did but for the Surf PI. Lots of good info on here but its mixed in with a lot of troubleshooting threads.