AT MAX COIL CONNECTION

[BLStone68]

I am new and I had a little trouble trying to figure out how far to push the coil connection in and I think there might be some others out there with this same issue.
The Garrett video was kind of fast when he got to the part of pushing it in to let me see how far in he went. And I couldn't find any pictures on line to show me.
So I took a few of my own to make sure mine is right, and maybe help others on this. I'm not sure if my terminology is right so I made the first picture to try to help show what I was talking about.
With a U.S. Dime I tried to show that the gaps were smaller then the thickness of the dime between the flange and the threads on the 4-pin connector.
And the gap is also smaller then the dime once you got the collar tightened.
If this is not far enough in or pushed in to far could someone please let me know.

 

[Turak]

MAKE SURE the pins are lined up properly and push it ALL THE WAY IN. I can't stress enough to line the pins up so they do not get bent.

You can not push it too far, there is a lip on the connector. Then tighten the knurled ring down very snuggly, but do not over tighten it or you may have a problem undoing it in the future.

Make sure and lube the o-ring with a little bit of lube. Goes a long way in keeping the o-ring from drying out and keeping the connector connection water proofed.

Also lube the o-ring on the battery compartment every so often too. Again keeps it from drying out and keeping it water proofed.

You can buy tubes or small packages of 0-ring lube (silicon based) or spark plug boot lube (silicon based) works fine too, at the auto parts store. DO NOT use vasoline (petroleum based), it will rot out the o-ring.

 

[BLStone68]

MAKE SURE the pins are lined up properly and push it ALL THE WAY IN. I can't stress enough to line the pins up so they do not get bent.

You can not push it too far, there is a lip on the connector. Then tighten the knurled ring down very snuggly, but do not over tighten it or you may have a problem undoing it in the future.

Make sure and lube the o-ring with a little bit of lube. Goes a long way in keeping the o-ring from drying out and keeping the connector connection water proofed.

Also lube the o-ring on the battery compartment every so often too. Again keeps it from drying out and keeping it water proofed.

You can buy tubes or small packages of 0-ring lube (silicon based) or spark plug boot lube works fine too, at the auto parts store. DO NOT use vasoline, it will rot out the o-ring.

Thanks for info on lube

 

[Buddy_TX]

You can get small cups of plumbers silicone lube at home depot, lowes, and most hardware stores

 

[BLStone68]

At first I was worried about breaking the connection because it was a pretty tight fit.

I ordered some Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Valve Silicone Lubricant & Sealant FDA & NSF approved

This is from the ad,
[size=small]USED TO LUBRICATE O-RINGS, SEALS AND GASKETS IN:
- SCUBA gear
- Underwater Photography Cameras/Housings
- Watersports Equipment
- Marine Applications
- Kitchen/Bathroom Water Faucet Valves and Cartridges
- Swimming Pool Systems
- Reverse Osmosis Systems
- Drinking Water Filtration Systems
- UltraViolet Systems
- Water Softener and Carbon Water Filtration Systems
- Potable Water and Food Contact Equipment Applications[/size]

 

[Turak]

That will work fine.....

Remember a little goes a long way. If you put too much on, it will get kind of messy. Just need enough to keep the o-ring from drying out.

It is a tight fit, partially because of that 0-ring. Tight fit tends to mean water proof. Careful though, it can also mean your 0-ring is a bit dry.

Plus the male pins sliding into the female connectors make it a bit tight at first. Once you've changed coils a number of times, they will loosen up a hair.

 

[DFXDon]

my eye sight is getting on the week side so I took the 5 Garrett coils I have for my MAX and inserted each one in the MAX and used my dremmel tool etch each one and then put black pain in the scratch line it is now a snap to change coils almost with out looking
Don

 

[BLStone68]

I got the silicone lubricant today. After I put it on, the cable connection slid in a lot easier.
I put it on the battery door o-ring and I also put it on my other coil and underwater headphones then put the dust caps back on.
Should I put some on the rubber washers for the coil mounting nut & bolt?

I think Garrett should add o-ring maintenance to their owners manuals.

 

[Turak]

I would recommend NOT putting it on the rubber washers that go on the coil mounting bolt.

You actually want the coil to be just a teeny bit 'stiff' to rotate so that it holds its position when you are sweeping it back and forth, parallel to the ground.

Not too loose so that it moves by itself, but not too tight either.....just snug.

So...again NO LUBE on the coil washers.

You are right, they should a paragraph on 0-ring care/maintenance to the manuals for all 3 detectors.

 

[togamac]

Great idea about etching the line on the connectors Don. I think I'll do the same. I've had a Pro since 2011 but still have trouble with the connector when changing coils.