Idea I'm going to try on a Whites 6000 di series 3

[SilverHuntr]

Hi all, this is my first post on the forum. First a little about myself. I built my first detector from an article in Radio and Electronics back in the early 80's.
That little TR machine found some nice silver coins and rings! I'm an electrical engineer so I also had fun analyzing the signals from that detector and learned quite a bit about how they work. Of course I got addicted and eventually bought a White's 6000 D series 2 detector. Found lot's good stuff with that detector back then. I got away from detecting and sold the old detector somewhere around 1990 (just didn't have time with work and raising kids). Anyways I'm getting back into detecting and picked up a White's 6000 DI series 3 at a good price. Love that VDI! I don't have the hip mount model (wish I did) but I don't have much trouble swinging that thing for 5 or 6 hours at a time. I plan on modifying this machine this winter by making a new smaller case, changing to smaller lighter batteries, removing the volume control since I always have the volume at max anyways, removing the speaker, and mounting the box in an SL fashion. The one mod I'm going to do this season (and the reason for this post) is to mount a mercury switch wired in parallel with the pushbutton and mounted such that when the detector is tipped up above say 75 or 80 degrees from the ground it will automatically reset the threshold AND the VDI circuit without the need to press the button. It sounds like a small thing but I find I spend considerable time tipping the detector up and pressing that button to reset the threshold and particularly the VDI which tends to stay locked on "iron" after passing over an iron target and ignoring the deeper weaker good targets. It will also probably help relieve the continuous button pushing that can cause repetitive motion problems. I'll probably also wire in a switch in series with the mercury switch so I can shut it off if need be. Next on my list will probably be to try and find an XL pro machine people here rave about, sounds like the last of the great analog machines! It's too bad they are probably never coming back, the digital machines are just plain cheaper to manufacture.

 

[gliderpilot1234]

Hi Great to read what you are up to i also have a 6000 series 3 and will give it a go shortly .My best detector is the Eagle Spectrum .Finds allot of coins ..Kind regards john

 

[SilverHuntr]

Thanks GliderPilot. Those machines still get the job done. I've been out hunting for good spots to detect and pulled out an 1898 and 1902
indian head penny from a spot I checked out today. I had to leave but it looks like I've found a good search site. One thing I've noticed with
the older machines is dirt tends to build up in the potentiometer bushings especially the tuner and G.E.B. pots. I cleaned mine out with
electronic parts cleaner but to prevent it from happening again I bought some felt washers at the hardware store. I pulled the knobs and
installed the washers under the knobs with the knobs pressed down onto the felt just enough to form a dirt barrier, seems to work pretty well and the
controls are a bit less apt to get bumped and change the setting.

 

[GTzer]

Used the 6000 series 3 for 29 yrs. Had to switch to an xterra 705 due to the weight. I was better with the Whites than the 705. I sure didn't need a pin pointer.

Anyway- I like what you're doing. If I had your skills I'd love to make a "lighter" version that was water proof (good enough for light rain-at least). It would be great to use the carbon/graphite for housing,box & rod along with modifying like you. Arm support would be helpful on that model. Love the VDI,depth and pin point and I really like the trigger myself.

 

[lint]

My lighter batteries ,nimh 2500 . mah.......They last all day ...plus I called white and said I backed over my sl ,and bent the upper rod and handle,but it didnt have an sl at the time ,and they sent me a used upper handle for free with a empty analog meter box on it an plus the upper part of the control box. I just put my meter in it ,there is a pic on here somewhere .

 

[SilverHuntr]

Lint, that is pretty much what I have in mind to do to mine this winter. I'll probably do the same as you with the battery
pack. I wonder if I can get White's to send me an SL rod I'm going to put the whole electronics in a new
smaller aluminum box as I can take 2.5" off the length, 1.5" off the depth and 3/4" off the width. Going to have to make
my own box as the big project box makers (Bud Industries and Hammond) don't have the size I want. Good project for
over the long winter months when the grounds frozen.

 

[lint]

Yeah I called Sweet Home OR. and told the lady that I backed into it and bend it and she gave me some guy that I cant remember his name now ,But told him what happened, and I could here him making lots of noise like going threw empty paint cans . then he said I found one . but it's a little scratched , and then he said I found one .and then gave him my address and asked how much , He said nothing , why? its used and no problem,, I said thats great and thank you and how much to ship , he said nothing and was at the house in 1 week ,,,, You cant complain about whites service ,Cant ask for more than that .

And I had to get a headphone plug and relocate it to the back , cut the old one out and soldered some wires in and it comes out the back now. good luck and keep us updated.

plus you need a upper rod cup , not sure what its called but it goes between the rod and the box, plastic peace about 4 in. long.

And I charge the batteries in the pack. heres the pic of the plug from rodeo shack.