Surf Pi Pro Build

[bernte_one]

this is the one i build some time ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HS7-Y7P0hI

but always good project

[geoscash1]

I purchased a few from Tacoma56, he is here on this forum but the name is a bit different and cant remember it off hand..



The SMpro version with 4 external controls works very well. I have the schematic for it if some one wants it I can send it to them or better yet, I can just post it here.
It is called SM Pro but the pcb and schematic are called Surf XX, at least thats what is on the board itself.

Schematic SM Pro Surf XX PI by J.Owens


SM Pro Surf XX pcb image

[junkhunter]

ok i seen this on youtube. looks great have a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRXq-BEHBlE&list=PL5tzKOCbr0w1PpHLwHEKXPi2MAIN7NlWS




and kt315 i want a board that dials in

[junkhunter]

cddz had a problem with a board will not say names supplied wrong parts but i keep trying got it going. i was so angry it is so cheaper and easier to buy a cheap metal detector
found this on ebay today needs repair good pi detector underwater with earphones and waterproof potentiometers http://www.ebay.com/itm/371542964245?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p 3984.m1436.l2649
has one bid $9.99

[daverave]

i have now built three surf pi's from silver dog with very little problems....i prefer these to any other kit detector....i have modified mine to get better proformance....the main problem i had with the surf pi is that the ne 555 is not regulated and once supply voltage starts to drop then sample pulse starts to move out of correct position...i am using around 16 volts supply and at 13 volts the detector is unusable.

just solved my sample pulse position problem with just one resistor which in the past has wasted me a lot of time...sometimes i guess you have to try and work things out yourself cause information is not always shared on the internet.i guess when you modify a surf pi or any other detector kit you sometimes have to change component values for the detector to work correctly.

[daverave]

its a shame all your components in the trash also when ive had problems i just try and persist and i get there in the end...its all a learning curve with metal detectors....i come from a tv video repair back ground many years ago but now i love hobby electronics and my like is metal detectors...and with some help from this site and experimenting ive learnt so much and still trying to learn....im a trial and error person and not mathmatical formulas

[cddz]

Don't know, I am over it. Time to move on lol. The board is destroyed and in the trash where I think it belongs.

[kt315]

I think the guy just grabbed a copy from the forum somewhere.

according his text in ebay listing he gives a link there on Surf PI schematic that shared by Carl M. in post #1.
it is Whites original schematic

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showthread.php?18655-Surf-PI-Pro

IMO this schematic may have underwater rocks.

[cddz]

That is often the best way to fix crappy Ebay scam boards A word of warning to everyone about buying from Ebay, any components; there's scammers who sell off-spec or relabeled parts for even the most basic components such as NE5532 and IRF740. If possible, get semiconductors from a large supply company unless you have the gear and experience to test the parts to spec yourself. The few dollars extra price on the project is a small price to pay for confidence in parts. A shorted mosfet that wasn't avalanche rated could fail only after some time in use, hopefully not causing a battery fire in an assembled project...

Silverdog's boards or the MPP have been built by a good number of people with good results.

But seriously, you should consider building your search coil with a low capacitance coax cable and shield around the coil, if you want to sample at short delays in outdoor conditions. Might not have run into those problems while building kits in school, if you haven't built a metal detector kit

http://www.geotech1.com/pages/metdet...s/FastCoil.pdf

The flat spiral coil I made for the Surf was pretty fast I think. It is shielded with carbon paint at about 1500R per square. School was so long ago .

[cddz]

This is the schematic I got from the same guy cddz got his from. Maybe someone can tell me if this can be made a good detector or not.

That schematic does not match the board that was sent to me. I think the guy just grabbed a copy from the forum somewhere. I ordered a MPP from Silverdog's site last night. Seems to be much better support on that kit.

[Darin]

This is the schematic I got from the same guy cddz got his from. Maybe someone can tell me if this can be made a good detector or not.

[ODM]

Well, it is now fixed!

That is often the best way to fix crappy Ebay scam boards A word of warning to everyone about buying from Ebay, any components; there's scammers who sell off-spec or relabeled parts for even the most basic components such as NE5532 and IRF740. If possible, get semiconductors from a large supply company unless you have the gear and experience to test the parts to spec yourself. The few dollars extra price on the project is a small price to pay for confidence in parts. A shorted mosfet that wasn't avalanche rated could fail only after some time in use, hopefully not causing a battery fire in an assembled project...

Silverdog's boards or the MPP have been built by a good number of people with good results.

But seriously, you should consider building your search coil with a low capacitance coax cable and shield around the coil, if you want to sample at short delays in outdoor conditions. Might not have run into those problems while building kits in school, if you haven't built a metal detector kit

http://www.geotech1.com/pages/metdet/projects/fastcoils/FastCoil.pdf

[daverave]

i have now built three surf pi's from silver dog with very little problems....i prefer these to any other kit detector....i have modified mine to get better proformance....the main problem i had with the surf pi is that the ne 555 is not regulated and once supply voltage starts to drop then sample pulse starts to move out of correct position...i am using around 16 volts supply and at 13 volts the detector is unusable.

[timekiller]

Hello cddz. this is a scheme that I used. This works guaranteed. Power problems there. I use scheme as Hamerhed because 7660 does not provide guaranteed 5 volts at this circuit from attach scheme . 7660 must be powered with 78L09 to have a stable 5 volts and eliminate problems with the maximum power of 7660. I use

Universal Single Sided Breadboard 120x60 mm for my project.

[cddz]

Did you get yours from ebay ? The reason I ask is I did and got it assembled and have multiple problems with it. The reason I got the MPP kit from Silverdog, built it without a scope and it seems to be working quite well for the coil I have to work with.
Looking forward to see how your build goes, please keep us posted as I would like to try and get my surf pro working.

Thanks
Darin

I have the schematic that came with mine if it will help any.

Yes I bought it from Ebay, a user name Tacoma56 or something like that. I was sent a link to down load the schematic and other information. The schematic did not match, neither did the pot lay out. This board is now in the trash, where it belongs. Oops, don't think you were asking me....