Problems with an Explorer XS

[AlexP]

Hi,

A friend has an Explorer XS which has started to behave funny recently. It would occasionally turn on or off by itself, or it would switch to factory default settings from time to time. Since we are in Bulgaria and there is no Minelab service here, sending it to Minelab for repair is not an option. So we will try to fix it ourselves. If anyone has had the same or similar problems with their Explorers, what did the problem turn out to be? Could it be the capacitors that may have gotten old and need replacing? Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rick(ND)]

First thing I would do is check the battery connections or the battery itself. If it is doing it with the rechargeable pack try the alkaline pack with good batteries in it. Check the end of the battery where it connect to the clips in the housing, try cleaning them too. When it is one try pushing on the battery or moving it around and see if it cuts out or resets. To me is sounds like a power problem with a bad battery or connections. I seen one like this before and found it to be a bad battery pack.
I hope it is something that simple.

 

[TokenDigger]

I agree - it sounds like a battery problem. Clean the contacts on your battery pack with some fine steel wool or use a liquid electrical contact cleaner and a cotton swab. Also look the contacts inside the battery housing to make sure they are OK. You may need to use a small flashlight or penlight. You can clean these with a long cotton swab and an electrical contact cleaning solution. I also had a battery pack that would not sit right inside the machine and it would lose contact and I would lose power. I eventually got rid of the battery pack but before I did that I would put a small piece of cloth on the back of the battery pack which would force the battery in when I closed the rubber cover. If none of this works, try a new battery pack. I hope this is helpful and happy hunting.

 

[C&RHunter]

I had an XS in for a case repair a couple of years ago. They called and told be the button pad was getting bad, as it had "burn" spots where the internal contact areas are. I had it replaced to prevent problems later. I think they said if it wasn't fixed it could cause problems down the road like you're experiencing. A hunting buddy of mine is having the same problem. Driving down the highway last week end, the machine turned itself on and then back off. When we tried to hunt, he would turn it on, it would come on but then turn itself off. We tried checking the batteries, connections, etc, but decided it was more than likely the internal contacts. I would try calling a Minelab repair facility and try to get an idea before, working on one myself. Good Luck and keep us informed of the cause/cure when found.

 

[AlexP]

Thanks for your replies. My friend says that he opened his detector, cleaned the battery contacts + the contacts on both the button pad underside and the circuit board. He even soldered a couple of wires to the battery contacts on the PC board and connected an external accumulator. But none of that cured it - it was still switching on on by itself. It is most probably what C&RHunter says. The button pad should have been replaced when the symptoms started. Now it is probably too late. I have e-mailed Minelab to see what they will say too, but I think that this detector is a goner. I will post here if we find a way to fix it though.

 

[JoeinMemphis]

"connected an external accumulator" ?? I majored in electronics, and never heard of such a thing, is it like a Flux Capacitor??? C&Rhunter had it right, the touch pad membrane is going bad, and is intermittently closing the power switch contacts. Your only real option is a new membrane / faceplate. HH Joe

 

[AlexP]

I should have said "external battery". A 12V one. My friend says that it does it even if the button pad and membrane are removed.

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

it could also be the internal power supply PCB. It to can also be another one of the causes of the problems you speak of......but as already mentioned, so can the batteries and their connections also be responsible.

The fact that there are 3 pcb's that pin into each other, within the Explorer control box, is possibly another consideration. They may need re-seating by unplugging and then plugging them back together and within their respective confines of the Explorer control box...this can be a real "pig" of process so one needs to be very careful how they dismantle and re assemble it all.

Personally, I think you'll find that replacing the keypad is the best place to start before anything after trying the batteries/connector/s and what I have outlined with the pcb's .

If you are unable to obtain one, then consider the idea of replacing the key's with aftermarket momentary switches. It does mean altering and adapting BUT it may be one of the only solutions/options available to you, if you have to address the push button control problems.

Theoretically all the switches can be replaced with:

For example: surface mounted versions of switches like these ones:

[attachment 118559 product_4170.jpg]

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SP0608&CATID=28&form=CAT&SUBCATID=260

I managed to remotely control PINPOINT and IRONMASK by using swicthes mounted on the search stem of my chest mounted version of the Explorer.
I realized that , if I ever had to , I could actually engage all of the switches of the Explorer control panel with the arrangement of using other switches, if I REALLY needed to.

BUT

If you can get a replacement control panel, then you are far better off.

I hope you can work it out with what ever you do.


David Di