How to go about waterproofing the White TDI?:confused:

[bdahunter]

I've seen a lot of waterproofing conversions over the years and the results varied widely. I've decided that the dual field isn't for me but a waterproof TDI would be the Bomb! There is the possibility that Whites will produce one later this year but only a possibility, maybe it will be next year, maybe never.
So what's the best way to waterproof the TDI as a DIY project. I'm hoping that the BHID waterproof compartment can be modified to fit the TDI control but not sure, otherwise it's a pelican case and waterproof connections.
Is anyone else working on this idea? I'd be more than happy to brainstorm with them as many heads are better than one.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[Mr.Bill]

n/t

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi BDA,

I should have one soon. Very crude.

I'll be getting a Pelican case large enough to hold the TDI control box and some lead weight, enough to make it neutral underwater. I'll also drop in some moisture absorbent and one of those reusable cold packs to help keep things cool. I'll drill a hole in the case and run a coil cable in, and a set of underwater headphones. Seal hole. Attach D-Rings as needed to chest mount. Drop control box in, plug in headphones and coil, tune up detector, shut lid. Put it on, and jump in water!

Crude but effective. I've done it before. The upside is I do not need to modify my detector at all. I've certainly not given up on White's making an underwater TDI but I want one now. And if it really does work well then it gives them all the more reason to make one.

The only reason I have not done it yet is I need to get another 12" coil from White's. I almost decided to go with the 7.5" as it does almost as well as the 12" and would be easier to handle but I may as well go for the gusto with the 12". I'll post pictures when I get it done. Might be a few weeks, though.

Steve Herschbach

 

[bdahunter]

Many Thanks to Bill and Steve for their responses. I'm in a bit of a quandry as I've been swinging an Excal 1000 for a few years in Bermuda and I've had very good success with it BUT I'm fascinated by the Pulse Induction technology. I've been waiting for a breakthrough in PI technology before taking the plunge but I'm now wondering if I shouldn't have jumped in soon, allow me to explain.
My beach conditions in Bermuda are rather unique because this island is a group of ancient volcanos that have been built up with coral reefs that broke down into coral sand that piled up and then reformed as a type of beach limestone as freshwater rain trickled down through the sand and hardened the sand into a soft, porous limestone rock. The result is beach substrate that has no basaltic component so that the only iron components in the sand are from pieces of iron trash and shipwrecks, or VERY LITTLE iron content compared to beaches in the U.S.. My Excal penetrates as deep as laboratory conditions would test and I regularly dig targets between 16" and 24" deep by running my VLF machine flat out. Salinity of the surrounding waters is very high so that is the only limiting factor.(salinity increase due to proximity to the Sargasso Sea and evaporation of the water trapped within the barrier reef that surrounds Bermuda account for this)
I'm wondering if I need to go with exotic technology as many of the issues that the advanced PI technology is designed to overcome just don't exist here. A deep seeking PI (say 3 feet on a large gold ring would do the trick I suppose but as I say, I'm a PI technology Newbie) should do the trick and no worries about overcoming black sand, etc; as the higher salinity levels do an excellent job of eating up small iron targets like nails, bobbie pins and the like.
If anyone would care to give their opinion on using a PI machine in Bermuda conditions I would greatly appreciate it.

Kind Regards,

BDA/Eric

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi Eric,

Well, I sure see no need for a ground balancing PI if there is no ground to balance. The TDI will go even deeper if you turn off the ground balance. But there are many good waterproof PI units already out there if you do not need the ground balance. Like the Surf or Eric's dive units.

Steve Herschbach

 

[AmericanGMaxx]

1600 is allot of dollars to screw with. Pelican does make a large enough box and you can get clam shell connectors from West Marine. May be "Pinkie and the Brain" could advise you on this one???