Classic III SL (small) problem.

[nick hunter]

Hi !

Long ago, I swung a "lunchbox" Classic III, which I traded in to help me buy my first XLT. Although I never regretted buying the XLT (one of only two detectors that helped me improve my MD skills), I always missed the III.

A few weeks ago, I crossed the path of someone who whished to sell his Classic III SL, with rain cover. I jumped on the occasion and bought it.

I like the whole concept : long battery life, fantastic disc and I found me using it like in the older days, that is sens as high as possible and dic out nails only.

Everithing's fine but for one thing : there is sand INSIDE the control box !!

I suspect it to have come through the speaker, as the box seems to be well sealed.

It's not a drama, though, but it becomes an obsession. I HAVE to remove it. You know what it is...being maniac about gear..;

The warranty is long forgotten, so I thought I'd open it, remove the sand, and eventually using a decal on the speaker to avoid further sanding.

I suppose opening the control box is safe, but not sure . I opened my two XLT's to fix some connector problems, but there were no knobs.

So I'm just seeking the confirmation I can do this. I suppose I can, but I don't want to ruin this babe : have been wanting to swing it for a long time !

Many thanks in advance !

Nick

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Can always send it to Whites in Oregon they'll make it like new.

 

[lytle78]

Opening the control box is no problem. All the connectors between the board and the studd on the top are made with connectors, but there is enough slack that you probably don't need to disconnect them.

 

[Tom Slick]

just remove the screws holding the two halves together. you can then pull the two halves apart a few inches to dump or blow the sand out.

 

[vito]

Yeah, and if you wanna disconnect the connectors take a picture BEFORE it's disconnected. (just a hint)

 

[TH'er]

Hi !

Long ago, I swung a "lunchbox" Classic III, which I traded in to help me buy my first XLT. Although I never regretted buying the XLT (one of only two detectors that helped me improve my MD skills), I always missed the III.

A few weeks ago, I crossed the path of someone who whished to sell his Classic III SL, with rain cover. I jumped on the occasion and bought it.

I like the whole concept : long battery life, fantastic disc and I found me using it like in the older days, that is sens as high as possible and dic out nails only.

Everithing's fine but for one thing : there is sand INSIDE the control box !!

I suspect it to have come through the speaker, as the box seems to be well sealed.

It's not a drama, though, but it becomes an obsession. I HAVE to remove it. You know what it is...being maniac about gear..;

The warranty is long forgotten, so I thought I'd open it, remove the sand, and eventually using a decal on the speaker to avoid further sanding.

I suppose opening the control box is safe, but not sure . I opened my two XLT's to fix some connector problems, but there were no knobs.

So I'm just seeking the confirmation I can do this. I suppose I can, but I don't want to ruin this babe : have been wanting to swing it for a long time !

Many thanks in advance !

Nick

Sand can be a big problem in your detector.

The speaker in my IDX Pro is sealed with a bead of RTV. Difficult to see this as a point of entry for sand, unless the speaker cone was torn. I had rather believe that someone got sand in there whilst changing the battery. In which case, and hopefully, most of the sand is still in the bottom.

The more this detector gets shaken around, the more likely this sand will migrate into the control pots. They have a slot at the terminals, an entry point, and getting sand on their wiper and resistive element would not be good.

If you have sand in the upper part of the case I suggest using tweezers or forceps to finesse some electrical tape over these slots and then take low pressure air to blow sand off the board. Be careful about the speaker as the cone is easily damaged. Don’t leave the tape on, it may promote moisture buildup.

If you put the case back together front first, then you can observe how the wiring lays as observed from the back. Be careful that the speaker wires do not get pinched by the flange over the headphone plug.

Good luck.

 

[nick hunter]

Thank you all for the answers !

I cannot imagine any other possible point of entry for the sand, except the knobs? But I'd be surprised...

Anyway, I will clean it this week-end, following the great avices I've got here.

Thanks & HH

Nick

 

[nick hunter]

Hi

I opened the control box this morning and found out there was sand into it, but not enough to match with the noise I heard inside. Still wonder how that came in, though, the speaker is clean.

But there was twice as much sand into...the upper stem !

Removed it and now the unit is ok. Found 112 coins with it today (EU beach hunt).

Thanx and see you on the forum.

HH

Nick

 

[vito]

Good to hear all worked out for you, Nick, and you had a great out door time.
Congrats on the coins.

Good Luck & Happy Hunting

 

[thebeatmachine]

n/t