Modifications Forum

Make an Automatic On-Off switch using a tiny mercury switch. No soldering iron needed and no alteration done to the ProPointer. Just drop the mercury switch into the battery compartment and put the battery back in. The switch must be tiny, it fits vertical along side the battery with room to spare. Don't cut the leads on the switch, just curl the ends with needle nose plyers and put a piece of tape between the leads so they don't touch each other. One lead goes into the small hole, the positive terminal of the battery touches the other lead. When the ProPointer main switch is turned ON (it stays ON), the mercury switch will automatically turn the ProPointer ON when tip is pointed down and OFF when ProPointer tip is pointed up. Must be stored in the holster upside down, OFF position. No need to touch the main switch on the ProPointer until you are done detecting. The upper left photo shows the switch in place, vertical against the side wall, kind of hard to see it. The switch is held in place when the battery is inserted and the cap is screwed on. I bought my switch at Greenbrook Electronics, I don't know if Radio Shack has them.

Very nice will do my self, thanks

jabbo, awesome idea. Out side the box thinking while staying inside the tube I guess. Im definitely going to try this. Ive had twice PP switch going south on me, this would of course really reduce the number of time the switch gets used on a weekly basis. I turn it off and an every time I target something in the ground. Non invasive and probably inexpensive. Thanks a lot, CO

Osgood, Turn the main switch ON at the beginning of the hunt and turn it OFF when you're done for the day. In between, the mercury switch does all the ON-OFF switching at each target. Let us know how you like it. The mercury switch cost me less than $6 at an electronics store near me.

Jabbo, I just did the mod. It is awesome you came up with that- you should patent it, before the production companies grab that idea. Took several mins working in those close quarters- tweezers helped a lot. I tucked the switch into that rectangular groove area. Cant wait to try this afield. Besides reducing the repetitive stress issue on the switch discussed above, this solves an issue i was having trying to water proof the thing. Using PVC with a threaded end and cap, this system will be activated just prior to entering the water. Turn it on, put the propointer in the tube, put on the end cap and you're good to go. It was something I couldnt figure out before, do I just leave it turned on all day wasting the battery? No this will save battery life as it will only be energized when pointing downward, pinpointing a target. I will mount the pvc tube (housing) on a stick, which will also double as a walking stick so to speak, slide your hand down the vibrating stick to find the target.Will have a holster to keep the unit elevated up when not in use. I found a place that has them locally for $1.50 a piece, if its shiped to you of course it will cost more. Thanks again, good hunting, CO

OK Osgood. The PVC pipe sounds like a good waterproof housing. Jabbo

I was out in Jersey hunting with Jabbo, saw both the mercury switch modification and plastic coil cover for the spider style coil.. I was impressed with both..Had intended to have Jabbo drive me to the store for a switch, and grab some ties as well..A class reunion, met his lovely wife, and had some errands to attend to forgot..BUT, the mercury switch is a fantastic idea since most Pro
Pointers crap out due to switch failure...And, I was getting hung up in stubble where his detector was flying..The guy will be out here, or me there this Spring, depending on how some sites pan out..Class reunion.....finally got to dance with the gal I wanted to take to the Prom 55 years ago...still as lovely as ever..

Works great unless you lay it down on the ground while digging like I do.

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"Everyone has an opinion, but mine is free"
"You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment..."

In his opening paragraph, Jabbo mentioned a holster to keep the Pro Pointer in the right position..I would imagine that you could work around laying it flat??

I lay mine down while digging a little deeper. It shuts itself off but turns back on again when I pick it up. Still better than pressing the switch on and off for every dig.

Ok, I spent several days a field with it. For now I have removed it. While it did save on off cycles, i did still have to occasionally turn it off and back on - you know like we all discovered having to let it retun by turning off and on? No problem with that overall but also and more the reason for removing it is i found myself having to tap it against the detector shaft and or shake it as it would sound off inconsistently when I wanted it too. Now Im not done, it could be I had an inconsistent contact down there at the positive pole, and also when I ordered my switches I didnt get to see them before hand, they where very tiny , with very little mercury, I wonder if there was an inconstant seating of the ball of mercury over the internal connection post within the bulb when i point it down and or tip it a little. I still think conceptually its a good idea. So im taking two approaches, one is to look for switches with more mercury, and two redo the contact portion where the switch wire touches the battery post inside the pro pointer. Has any one else experienced the problem I described above, if not Im going to assume im not making good firm contacts. Please give me your honest feedback, thanks, Curt O

Osgood, I haven't had any of those problems. I would say one of the wires is losing contact and needs to be coiled and reinserted for better contact, I coiled the ends with needle nose pliers. My mercury switch is real tiny but seems to be working OK.

That's so smart. Great idea.

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Kenny
mowerdog@gmail.com

Just found the switches on feebay from China. They are $3.50 for 5 with free shipping.

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Kenny
mowerdog@gmail.com

Redid my connections with better results today. Might look for perhaps mini clips to secure the wires better. CO