F5 battery tabs

[justforfun]

Has anyone had a problem getting the batteries out of the F5. On my machine the batteries fit so tight when I go to remove them the tabs will not budge and there is no room to slide the battery forward so usually the aluminum housing of the battery gets caught on the tab and it can be a delicate process just to get the battery out. I have owned the unit about a year now and the other day one of the tabs broke off and I hope it will be covered under warranty although it doesn't look like an easy fix. For a quick fix I taped a small piece of heavy paper to the end of the battery and when I put the door on it kept it in place. I have also tried different battery types and always the same problem.

Also thanks for the wonderful info in all of the posts it has helped a great deal. Usually I can find the answer to any of the questions I have by reading them.

 

[BH_Landstar_]

to is your only option.

 

[BobbyBridge]

Shouldn't fight with them!

 

[Mike Hillis]

Yeah....the batteries. They are a tight fit on the F5. You have to really push them forward to get them in or out. At first I was afraid of breaking the battery clips themselves and then realized they can take some force, so I really push the batteries forward now to get them out or back in.

I haven't broke my tabs yet but a couple of times I thought I would. One of the few warts of the F5.

If you want to repair the clips yourself it would probably take JB Weld as super glue wouldn't be strong enough.

HH
Mike

 

[BH_Landstar_]

The battery compartment on most metal detectors are substandard. The F5 and F4 should have had a compartment where the batteries slid in (like carts do in a shotgun) and the the battery cover has springs that push against the batteries and has a turn lock to hold it all together, like some camera battery covers.

The Gold Bug SE / Pro could also have been done like this as I find that the battery cover is the only weakest link in the detector, it comes off to easy, and after time with wear it would not suprise me if the cover falls off.

 

[Alimo88]

push push and push.
I have even taken the cover of some batteries in my early days
now I just push them in and be careful
sorry you had to learn the hard way

 

[marcomo]

Yep, that's one of the F5's "quirks".

When Mike says push them forward he means towards the front or faceplate of the control box. What you are really doing is pushing down on the bottom of the battery. You need to push down hard and as you push down pull the battery back at the same time towards you. If you are having trouble, push down (or forward towards the faceplate) harder. Don't try to force the battery back towards you or you will break the tab.

Once you get the hang of it it's simple, unfortunately by the time I got the hang of it I'd broken a tab!

Definitely use name brand batteries, the off-brand cheapies are more likely to ever-so-slightly vary in size which can be a problem with such a tight clearance.

Like justfforfun said, if you break a tab, a small thick piece of paper or sponge wedged between the bottom of the battery and the cover will help hold the batteries in place until you get around to sending it in to FT for repair. But if you don't wedge somthing in there, the connection will periodically disconnect and the detector will shut down on you.

 

[Occupant]

If your hand is large enough.....I put my thumb against the bottom of the battery and my fingers over the top of the control housing to just grip the ledge that sticks out over the face of the detector. Then squeeze. Lower the thumb and the battery goes in. Raise the thumb and the battery comes out.
HH

 

[sqwaby]

The manual says "use alkaline batteries", this is due to the consistent size(48mm max) that manufacturers of high end batteries make. When you use off brands or rechargeable that size can vary quite a bit. I would still agree the bat compartment could be improved on.

 

[justforfun]

I do have some JB Weld I will try it. I like this machine so much I am afraid if I send it in they might have to replace the whole control box. Then I run the risk of getting one with the coil connector problem that I have read about since mine is the push in style. I can still use it this summer and probably have it repaired this winter when I can't get out. It's been a long winter here in Missouri no time for repairs.......thanks.