I THINK MY EXPLORER IS SICK:look: :sadwalk: :help:

[Derrelld]

It's a sad day for Derrell !!!
A couple month's ago i started to realize that my sunray probe was acting up horribly!! I would flip the switch,, put it down the hole, and you would think there was 50 coins in there!! It would False like crazy!! The only way i could deal with the problem was to lower the sensitivity to around 19... or hit semi auto...... I have always been able to run my sensitivity as high as 26-28 Manually!! Well I thought just my probe was the problem... I was just going to cope with the problem, because i couldnt imagine life without it! Well i jsut realized that my detector had the same problem... I just blocked it out!! It didnt effect my ability to find deep coins.. But the last to times i was out in the field... It about drove me crazy!! My buddy Jack was with me today,,, I let him take a listen,, and said that didn't sound right at all!! He has been running a explorer for years!!! The cover is clean, and i tightened everything up, and tried lowering and raising all my setting,,, Nothing seemed to help!! I am going to call minelab tomorrow,, But i was wondering if any one has dealt with this in the past????
Thanks
Derrell

 

[James N.D.]

Have you tried a different Coil Derrell? You may have a Coil that is going bad, normally where the stress reliever is located going into the Coil itself. Also, have you used any Contact Cleaner on any of the Connectors? You may have dirty Connectors that have dust built up inside where the pins go. I would try that also. You may also want to see if your Battery is nice and tight. Maybe a Battery could cause this that is moving on the Springs and have something to do with it also. The Springs inside could be wore out and not getting the tight contact they should, possibly moving just enough to make falsing from the Battery. Also, have you tried your detector without the Sunray Probe yet? I would try this first of all if you haven't to see if the detector itself is causing the problem. Usually, if the detector is causing the problem, it would be a broken wire on the Coil or possibly a Pin inside the Connector that is pushed in. Look at those also since this happened to Rick(ND) once before. It could also be a loose wire inside the Control Box that has a faulty soldiering connection. One other thing! Make sure to do a Noise Cancel in Semi-Auto and see if this helps. I hope you can figure out what is causing the problem without sending the machine into Minelab. Really would suck if you had to and miss out on some serious detecting time! Hope to hear that you fixed it so you don't have any down time. Let us know! Good Luck and HH D!

 

[C&RHunter]

Derrell, I had a sunray pinpointer that was driving me nuts a couple of years ago. Not always, but most of the time. Sent it to Ralph at SunRay. The wires in the cable had gotten bad and were starting to make contact inside of the cable sheath. If you give him a call with what's going on, he might be able to help you out..(Hopefully you have a backup for ease of continued hunting/finding.) Good Luck.

 

[Derrelld]

Thanks Guys!!!!! Im going to dig out my other upper shaft and give it a try without the probe on!!!! Would a bad probe be making my detector go bonkers as well????? I hope she isn't hurt to bad!!!!! The only thing i have for a backup is a Ace 250

 

[Magicman]

I just had the same problem. Already have the probe packed. It was driving me crazy the other day when I would flip the switch and it would just start chattering away. I could make it work and I suspected a loose wire. It cleared up later that day. Well today I started out and flip the switch it it started again. I noticed one thing, that the two events happened early in the morning and there was dew on the ground. I isolated the probe, to make sure it wasn't around anything or touching the ground. I flipped the switch and it was chattering and switch it back to the coil and then back to the probe. It stopped but then started again. I also noticed that when I grab the probe by the business end, it changed. Then I moved my hand away and it cleared and then I grabbed it again and chatter. I used both the joey and the SEF with same results. I got ahold of Sun Ray and they said send it back.... I put the old upper shaft on and went on my way with no problems (I think it explains the time I thought my SEF was the culprit when I had crazy things going on) I don't know what I am going to do without my probe for a week. (I know the answer, detect and use my old pinpointer)

 

[Hotcz70]

my Sunray probe. Mine has been doing the same thing yours has been...but goes a step further. On at least 5 occasions in the last 2 months...when I pop the probe back on the clip holders...it shorts out and turns my SE OFF

If your SE still malfunctions when the probe is bypassed though...then it's probably a bad connection or short in the coil cable somewhere.

My problem just happened again Saturday when I was hunting with Guvner. The SE almost didn't turn back on either. One of these days it's going to screw me and short out...and the SE won't come back on.

I have two choices....buy a new sunray probe and shaft...or send mine back in for repair...and be without it for a couple of weeks.

I called Ralph and he was really a great guy to talk to. He said the turnaround time on repairing the existing probe should be very fast. I just might buy a whole new setup...then send mine in after I get the new one.

I did the same thing on my Sunray pro gold headphones a couple of weeks ago. My worst nightmare happened. I drove 40 miles to hunt...got the detector out...went to put the headphones on...and they snapped in half

I then panicked...but drove to the nearest podunck store. I bought some duct tape...and taped them to my head...seriously

I called Ralph the next day and he was AWESOME about the repair. I ordered a new set...then when the new set got to me...I sent the broken ones in for repair.

I had them back within 1 week Now I use the old set...but always have the new pair in my car in case of disaster.

 

[Magicman]

I have 3 sets of ear phones. The one I use is the Sunray Pros, the other two are backups and guest earphones. ( I carry a spare detector in invite folks to detect with me on thier property) You are right, Ralph responded right away and taking care of it.

 

[Smith1]

this sounds like some of the problems I am havivg! Let us know what you find out!

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

There was a thread about this not too long ago. See if swapping coils makes a difference. Otherwise send it in or if you are handy with a soldering iron....


Chris

 

[The Coin Doctor]

Derrelld,
I had a similar thing happening to me and it turned out to be an issue (a short) with my headphones. I know exactly what is happening to you. Find a target, dig, switch to probe and wham sound everywhere. I could even wave the probe in the air and pick up a repeating signal. My headphones finally gave out. I solved the headphone problem by digging out an old pair of headphones from my 8-track stereo system. Believe it or not the jack matched and I just plugged them in and got back to hunting. The interesting thing is I no longer have any problem with the probe. If you haven't tried switching out headphones . . . give it a shot and see what happens.

By the way, I have been watching your adventures on the forum and really enjoy the read. You have been having great success. Keep it up!

 

[Ex-Sox]

Dang, I hope it is just the probe Derrell, at least you can still detect. Wish you were closer, I got an extra SE!! Actually, if it turns out to be your probe, let me know and I can send you an extra to use till yours gets back!

 

[Erik in NJ]

This used to be a known problem with the X-1 probes. They used to use a switch that had a rubber boot on it and after about a year of hunting the rubber boot would fall off and dirt would get in the switch. I called Ralph at SunRay and was told that it would cost me to fix it (replace the switch with a supposedly better one - as far as I'm concerned if it was a known issue that the switches would go so soon they all should have been recalled and fixed for free)...packing the darn thing back up and mailing it back and waiting was so much of a hassle that I just ordered a new one from them - I recently bought a third for my E-Trac, but I still have the old faulty one somewhere collecting dust. But I wouldn't be surprised if your switch is acting up - even if it's the newer type of switch. The newer switch has the half rubber boot on it. I think a toggle switch was just a bad idea for this application. They should have used a mylar covered contact switch (or whatever they are called) like on the Explorer.

 

[Derrelld]

Thanks everyone!!!!!!
I'm for sure the problem is in my probe... I talked to Ralph today.. Very nice fella He told me to get it to him and he would test it out... After work today.. I went back out to that field... I took the probe off and just ran the coil to the detector... Sounded much better... I still got a little falsing but nothing like the other day... I even tried another coil and it seemed to be normal... Then i unhooked it and strapped the probe back on... The thing went bonkers again!! it sounded like there was silver coins laying everywhere lol I put another coil on and the same... Then i laid the detector on the ground flipped the probe on, held it well away from the detector.. The thing was going crazy!!! No matter where i held it at... I wiggled it around ,, held it higher,, then lower,,, and still the same... I wiggled the wires around and that didn't seem to make a difference... This all took place at 9:30 tonight in the middle of a cornfield with no power lines within hundreds of yards!!! So i know it's nothing with electrical interference!! I am calling Ralph back in the morning and sending it back... Life will not be the same without it
good luck everyone and take care!!!
Derrell

 

[utahshovelhead]

Hey "D"

Im just catchin up on some reads...sorry to here about that problem...I see everyone thinks its your probe but just so you know, Once back when I had a problem very simmilar to that with an older XS. I ended up reseting the machine by holding down the power button like the book says and it actually worked better after. You do lose all the settings but you will just make them again. I still swear that older XS did a better job getting deeper and clearer on the salt water beach of the Great Salt Lake than the newer minlab I own now. I asked the guys in Nevada about that and they never did fess up to any reason for that but if you read some of the older posts I am not the only one who has noticed this. I am hoping the E trac brings that little edge back as I am waiting to give that machine a try.

Anyway...Hope to read more adventures of the "D" soon. Good luck to you.
utahshovelhead

 

[Ralph Sun Ray]

Eric,

A known problem with the X-1 probes?? Of the thousands of probes in the field only a very few have ever came back with a bad switch, even after years of use. And then it was usually caused by hitting it on something, etc. Very few malfunctions. For your information the toggle boots we use on the switch are totally unrelated to the switch and are not even made by the same company. We went to the half boot eventually as there was less wear on the boot from switching then on the full boot. There was never any known issue with our switches. As for tactile switches, they are not a viable alternative for that application. As for not sending in your probe for repair after warranty, that was your choice. I'm suprised that you purchased two more X-1 probes if they are of such poor quality.

Ralph (Sun Ray)

 

[Erik in NJ]

Ralph,

When I say "known issue" I meant known on the forum by the regular hunters and I'm talking about the original switches with the full rubber boot. I purchased this one back in 01/02. What was happening was that with all of the regular hunters on the forum the rubber boot was breaking off after about a year or two. It had nothing to do with hitting the switch on anything - they were simply falling off with use. Once the boot was off, it was relatively easy for fine debris to find its way into the switch and cause a malfunction which is what happened to mine and I remember others having this problem at the time. Are you saying that there was never a problem with the full rubber boots and once they had fallen off the potential damage to the toggle switch? From what I recall (and I suppose I could be recalling incorrectly) you and I spoke about this and you told me at the time that you were now using a better, more expensive switch in the unit - which is fine, nothing wrong with product upgrades - and I could send mine in and pay the up charge to replace my switch...I was going to England and needed an X-1 working so I just bought another and have still not gotten around to sending the old one in for repair. I bought a third one when I got the E-Trac.

I never said that the probe was poor quality - ever! In fact I have recommended the X-1 to many, many people on this forum over the years. I have questioned some of the design elements on the forum in the hopes of improving the product - just like I would do with any product - since no product is absolutely perfect. I never liked the idea of a toggle switch on the upper rod - too easy to leave in the wrong position or switch it over by accident. I have always wished for a momentary contact switch on the probe itself - that way you engage it when you are using it. This is especially useful when you have the probe in pinpoint mode and it's detuned and then you place it on the ground to dig some more - ever hear that horrible buzzing/squeal in your headphones while you're digging? Reaching to the unit to go back and forth between pinpoint and normal mode is a pain in the neck (I know there's nothing that you can do about this without a Minelab modification to the control housing which I'm surprised did not show up on the E-Trac). Regarding the toggle switch, I would have rather seen a sealed switch like what is on the Explorer/E-Trac control housing and a flashing LED on the little box on the upper shaft so that you know when the probe is on. I've been using it for over 8 years and still walk around for a few minutes with the probe engaged every now and then. I am not crazy about the clips that the probe mounts to - they break after a while and they are not cheap to replace - would rather see a plastic holster that the probe slips into.

 

[Ralph Sun Ray]

Eric,

Thank you for your clarification as to what you meant. As for the switch and the toggle boot, they are, as I previously stated, two completely separate items. The switch is made by one company and the boot is made by another. When I said that there never was a switch problem that was an issue, I mean that we have only had a very small number of total switch failures, and most of them were caused by hitting them on something. If any were actually caused by the torn boot, it was extremely small in numbers. Consider that many detector companies don't even include a boot over the switches. Minelab did originally with the original Sovereign and some later versions but then discontinued them on the Elite and GT as well as the Advantage and the gold detectors. Also, look at all the Tesoro units out there that never had a boot covering (or parially covering) the toggle. Fisher also comes to mind. Why are they not malfunctioning due to dirt, etc. getting in the switch and thus becoming an issue for those companies. It can happen and does, but only occasionally. Usually a small hard piece of sand or tiny rock will get in there and when the toggle is switched, can actually break the switch instead of the foreign object. But it is still rare. You stated that we were using a problem switch at first and should have sent out a recall and fixed them all for free. That was not the case and many of those switches are still functioning just fine on those old X-1 probes and we still see them on units sent in for some other repair and they go back out on the repaired unit still working fine. My biggest disagreement was your statement that we were using an inferior switch at first and should have done a recall. You incorporate the toggle boot (a totally separate accessory) along with the switch as if they were manufactured together as the same item.

A momentary membrane switch would have caused as many complaints as the toggle switch we presently use. Some would say they would like a switch that could be left in one position so they would have one hand free to dig rather than having to hold the switch on. Or if it was a time switch many would say that it should stay on longer because it reverts back before they are ready - or that it stays on too long. An LED light is not possible for us to install into the detector circuit, according to our engineer, and would cause a drain on the detector electronics which could cause operational problems. We cannot solve all problems, so we do what we feel is best with what we have to work with. We use our products just like you do and have left the switch on occasionally, chasing coins around in our pockets until we realize what is going on. However, we have gotten into the habit many years ago, of always switching back to coil as we are getting back up from a retreival and occasionally checking the switch visually to make sure the toggle is switched downward.

The original clips that came with the X-1 were not near as sturdy as the clips we have been using for several years. They break very seldom now. A plastic holder on your hip could put extra stress on the probe cable due to the potential of a lot of twisting and can also be inconvenient for many users who would rather have everything mounted to the detector. There is always room for improvement, and the X-1 is not perfect but has still stood the test of time as a very popular accessory.

No hard feelings here. I just felt I needed to clarify and correct the assumption that the original switches were somehow inferior and not reliable and should have been recalled.

Ralph (Sun Ray)

 

[Erik in NJ]

Ralph,

Thanks for the reply. I do undestand that the boot and toggle switch are separate items - I remember that you could order another boot for the switch, I guess my point was that the original boot punctured too easy by the bat on the toggle switch. I remember it happening to some users early on with the X-1 and then my boot punctured and I am usually pretty gentle with my equipment. Several months later my toggle switch started to malfunction and it caused the same sort of symptoms that Darrel is describing. Anyway, I'm the kind of person that would gladly pony up the extra bucks for a military spec switch or something similarly heavy duty/industrial, but I digress. Bottom line is that the X-1 is an excellent product and I would never hunt without one, so I am a fan.

Regarding my suggested "improvements" I was thinking of a membrane switch on the box that would turn the probe off and on as opposed to a toggle switch - the membrane on the Explorer is pretty tough. A flashing LED would be very nice, but I understand the power constraints. I would suggest putting some sort of battery (maybe a watch battery) in the box to power the LED - they're small and would do the trick - I see them in children's books that I buy for my 1-1/2 year old daughter (LEDs and sounds). I can't tell you how many times I have walked around with that darn switch in the wrong position - just too easy to forget to switch it back......I still do it. Better yet a momentary contact membrane type switch on the probe itself would activate the probe only when it is pressed (while scanning a hole) - this further solves the problems we "hear" when putting the probe down when in pinpoint mode. Glad to hear the new clips are better, my first set broke and I ordered a new set from you a long time ago that I summarily misplaced them -- I've been generlly holding the probe in my left hand but when I said holster I meant one mounted to the detector (maybe I should have called it a boot) that you could slide the probe into.

Another change I would like to see is to make the probe more directional - even after all these years I still find it very difficult to precisely pinpoint a coin or small piece or metal in a pile of dirt - I usually grab my VibraProbe for the final location. I know that you can put the machine in pinpoint mode, but reaching over to the control housing is a pain. The X-1 seems to be quite strong off to the sides of the tip as well - it's great for determining that something is there or what general direction in the hole the items is (e.g. if it's on the side of the hole)...I personally would like to see that little coil more directional so that I don't need to go to pinpoint mode or reach for the VibraProbe - maybe a smaller coil and a second momentary contact switch. Just some ideas to make a great product even better that's all.

 

[DanRoss]

I have experienced this problem. The descritption fits exactly, but I DON"T EVEN HAVE A SUNRAY X1 PROBE!

I was on the ski slope... conditions of very rich black soil and highly saturated with water due to melting snow still in some spots on the ground. In one case the thing started to warble and beep and generally go crazy. I suspected maybe I was near underground power cables, so I moved, turning the machine off and on and trying to change sensitivity settings and hitting noise cancel. It took a long time to get it to stop. I tried so many things I don't know what finally worked.

Then, after hunting a while and while digging a quarter (getting halfway down and checking the location by bringing the shaft and coil back over the hole) it started again and wouldn't stop or respond to any setting change attempts. Finally, in desperaion, I turned the machine off and sat down for a few minutes. When I got up and turned it on, it worked fine, and I continued to dig the coin.

I don't know what exactly caused it, but I don't have a probe to blame. The start of the problem in the second case started when I set the machine down with the coil then running 90 degrees to its normal hunt position.

I would start to suspect some sort of RF interference like a plane in the air (although I can't say I noticed one) or local 2 way radio transmissions or something..

Maybe having a probe with the additional box (unshielded?) could make a machine even more susceptible to this kind of interference, but it sounds like you don't have to have a probe to experience the problem.

 

[Dana Point Val]

Eric,

A known problem with the X-1 probes?? Of the thousands of probes in the field only a very few have ever came back with a bad switch, even after years of use. And then it was usually caused by hitting it on something, etc. Very few malfunctions. For your information the toggle boots we use on the switch are totally unrelated to the switch and are not even made by the same company. We went to the half boot eventually as there was less wear on the boot from switching then on the full boot. There was never any known issue with our switches. As for tactile switches, they are not a viable alternative for that application. As for not sending in your probe for repair after warranty, that was your choice. I'm suprised that you purchased two more X-1 probes if they are of such poor quality.

Ralph (Sun Ray)

Hi Ralph, I don't usually post on this forum, but came across this post and wanted to ask a couple of questions. I've been using Sun Ray probes for the last 3 or 4 years and is simply a must have for deep recoveries. I believe where the cable enters the top of the probe simply after a couple of years of use will wear and malfunction more and more. I just replace my X-1 probes every couple of years and I have accepted that fact. I'm not upset about it, I simply look at it like another part that will eventually wear out. I love these probes and I still would rather keep using them till I see something better come along and I haven't seen that yet. I have never had problems with the switch, even after the rubber boot falls apart, I did have a wire weld in the box come loose once and I opened it up and soldered it with no problems. I believe the X-1 probes are good quality Ralph but like Eric I also just went ahead and bought two more with the thought of sending my old ones in for repair. Is my assumption that the cable connection at the top of the probe a likely place to wear and cause problems? or is it something else within the probe and cable? I would think that the constant shaking and pulling on the probes cable cannot last forever without some effect. Can you tell me when people send in for repair for the X-1 what is the usual problems and how much is the typical repair cost? Again I'm not bashing Sun Ray and I hope I don't come off that way, on the contrary I'm a supporter of all your products so far.

Val