IDX Pro troubleshooting

[juice2839]

I thought I would start a new thread for troubleshooting the silverdog IDX PCB or home build IDX detectors.

I have built the Kit and wound a coil.
Unit seems to work okay except it gives false beeps that are random and on any movement beeps. The Sensitivity control seems to have no effect and the G.B. does change things but not any better. The disc seems to work. Threshold works with pinpoint mode.

If the unit is completely still it seems to work like you would think.
I shielded the coils and made the potentiometer wires as short as possible.

I am not sure how exact the coil is to specs. I wound per the instructions and such, but do not have a Oscope at this time.

Anyone think that if I bought a coil that it would behave proper? or any ideas as to why it makes random noises. I have made sure that there are no outside influences such as florecent lights and things.

I am about to give up and buy a coil...

[dfbowers]

I thought I would start a new thread for troubleshooting the silverdog IDX PCB or home build IDX detectors.

I have built the Kit and wound a coil.
Unit seems to work okay except it gives false beeps that are random and on any movement beeps. The Sensitivity control seems to have no effect and the G.B. does change things but not any better. The disc seems to work. Threshold works with pinpoint mode.

If the unit is completely still it seems to work like you would think.
I shielded the coils and made the potentiometer wires as short as possible.

I am not sure how exact the coil is to specs. I wound per the instructions and such, but do not have a Oscope at this time.

Anyone think that if I bought a coil that it would behave proper? or any ideas as to why it makes random noises. I have made sure that there are no outside influences such as florecent lights and things.

I am about to give up and buy a coil...

Hi Fred,

I'm not sure if you have made any IB detectors before the IDX, but the coils need to be mechanically rigid.. Not easy task! It can be done though. Also, tuning will be difficult unless you have a frequency counter or an oscilloscope as you will be working in the dark.

Interesting thing about the IDX is that mine is not nearly as sensitive to electrical noise as the TGSL..
Don
Fortunately, White's coils are very common so you can pick one up on e-bay or buy a new one from a White's dealer.

[juice2839]

Thanks for the info. Maybe that was one of my mistakes. I made a nice coil housing with a vacuum mold, but hot glued the coils in place. I have a feeling I am going to need a scope or just buy a coil.... I think I'll give it one more go and wind one more coil and try it. PS No I have never built any type of coild before...

[dfbowers]

Thanks for the info. Maybe that was one of my mistakes. I made a nice coil housing with a vacuum mold, but hot glued the coils in place. I have a feeling I am going to need a scope or just buy a coil.... I think I'll give it one more go and wind one more coil and try it. PS No I have never built any type of coild before...

Yea, hot glue will not do. That's the way I made my first coil as well. All is not lost! Get yourself some electronics potting compound and set the coils.

See post # 819 and download part#2
http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...=16122&page=33

[Merc]

VDI

My VDI kit from Siverdog would not work right. The PIC controller just kept locking up. I finally ordered two new 16F88's and figured out how to program with a PICKIT 2. No more lock-ups now. I did a verify to compare the .hex file from this site with what was in the chip and if failed. I then re-programmed the original chip, but haven't tested it yet. I'm just glad to have my VDI working finally.

[Merc]

Here is my solution to the Sensitivity adjustment problem. This is taken from the original Classic 1/2/3 schematic. This gives me an adjustment range that seems normal.

Merc

[Schatztaucher]

thanks merc

[juice2839]

After getting a Max 800 coil I finally got my IDX Pro kit to work pretty well. I also changed the 47 ohm resistor to a 1k and the sense adustment seems to work like it should. Now to get a homemade coil to work worth a darn heeh. I have a new appreciation for coils.

Does anyone know where you can get the correct 5 pin mail coil connectors?

[szucs_g]

After getting a Max 800 coil I finally got my IDX Pro kit to work pretty well. I also changed the 47 ohm resistor to a 1k and the sense adustment seems to work like it should. Now to get a homemade coil to work worth a darn heeh. I have a new appreciation for coils.

Does anyone know where you can get the correct 5 pin mail coil connectors?

IDX is completed. Original 3900 head tested. Sensitivity of 20-25 cm (2.5 cm coin). Quite weak. Maybe the 47 ohm resistor 1k I also need to be replaced?

[eduardo1979]

http://www.onlinecomponents.com/swit...tml?p=12322724

[szucs_g]

http://www.onlinecomponents.com/swit...tml?p=12322724

Good morning dear eduardo1979!

# 9 The answer my question? Thank you.
I want my original 3900 rolls get more.

[eduardo1979]

To gain depth in the IDX-PRO, there are two things you must consider.
1. The U3, which is the LF347
2. U4, which is the LM393.
I to get the depth I wanted, I had to try more than 20 such integrated circuits. You have to try many, because what happens is that each of them, the detector operates in a different way. The R25 has to be a multi-turn potentiometer varying 1K. The potentiometer sensitivity, P5, has to be a 100K potentiometer to have more room for regulation of sensitivity. I think that's all. No more secrets. The potentiometer of the phase, the VR3 must be at least, I mean it does not exist, as pointed. The threshold, must be regulated so that when the button is pushed PIN-POINT, listen to the speaker a slight buzz.

[dfbowers]

To gain depth in the IDX-PRO, there are two things you must consider.
1. The U3, which is the LF347
2. U4, which is the LM393.
I to get the depth I wanted, I had to try more than 20 such integrated circuits. You have to try many, because what happens is that each of them, the detector operates in a different way. The R25 has to be a multi-turn potentiometer varying 1K. The potentiometer sensitivity, P5, has to be a 100K potentiometer to have more room for regulation of sensitivity. I think that's all. No more secrets. The potentiometer of the phase, the VR3 must be at least, I mean it does not exist, as pointed. The threshold, must be regulated so that when the button is pushed PIN-POINT, listen to the speaker a slight buzz.

Yea, the big thing I found with the LF347 is that there is very little offset, so it allows you to set the DISC mode sensitivity - P5 (or threshold actually) very close to the offset of the LF347. Problem I am working through is now mechanical stability, even with a stock 950 coil. Tons of adjustment range!!!

[eduardo1979]

I would like to replace the LF347 by LMC6484 and see what happens, but I have no available this IC. I tried with TL064, with LM324, but the results are the same as with the LF347. I have noticed a difference by changing the LM393 by another 393, another brand.

[Schatztaucher]

eduardo, can you explain again in more detail, the thing with the VR3 ? my english is not so good and the translation program translates into a little strange ....

regards