Question for the Tesoro Gurus

[lovepulltabs]

Seems I read somewhere that at the Tesoro factory they have samples of the ground (soil samples) from all around the country, so they have a good idea of what the ground mineralization is just about anywhere in the country. So here's my question, for the detectors that they sell without manual ground balance do they preset or tweak the GB to the certain part of the country that they will be shipping to. What I'm trying to say is if I go to a Tesoro dealer in E. Washington will the machines like the ss or compadre have the gb preset to this area of the country? I'm guessing probably not. Next question is if I did have a Tesoro machine without manual GB could I send the detector into them to have them set the GB to my particular area of the country?

 

[Scully]

they set the factory preset GB to "average" conditions. If you live in a highly mineralized location then this type of machine would probably not be good for you. The Tesoro factory in Arizona is located in some really bad soil conditons so they know what the extremes are.

It would be impossible to monitor all of the soil conditions around the contry and stock individual machines set to local conditions. I have heard that they will re-adjust your preset machine if you send it back into the factory, but I am not sure how they know exactly where to set it.

 

[JB(MS)]

Most, probably all, detector manufacturers use ferrite to set the ground balance of their preset detectors, and typically set it in the +0.5 phase shift range so they will run relatively quiet in average ground conditions. And as Scully said, soil conditions vary so widely it would be impossible for any detector maker to keep samples from every location their detectors are used. They do have charts, graphs or some kind of indicators that let them know what range the soil conditions in a lot of places are, so when you send a detector back to be rebalanced you basically get a "best guess" setting based on the information they have concerning ground conditions in your general area.

 

[rentasquid]

asking them the adjust it a little more negative. They did, or at least said they did. I have no reason to believe that they didnt, except for the fact that it acted exactly the same as it did before. The moral of the story...it doesnt always pay to send it in, even with Tesoros superior service, because they arent going to go out on a limb and really majorly tweak it. Especially if it gets resold like most detectors do. IMO.

J.

 

[rentasquid]

n/t

 

[dahut]

The way around this issue is three-fold.

1. Adjust the GB yourself.
All the Tesoro units I'm familiar with have a GB potentiometer inside on the circuit board - even the low end units. For the most part, they all use the same circuit board and this is how the factory makes the adjustments. So you can open the cover and make the GB adjustment yourself, to suit your conditions. This isnt something you should do casually, but only as needed for your part of the country.
WARNING: use a tweaker/screwdirver that is NON METALLIC to make this adjustment.

2. Get a unit that has adustable GB
This type detector moves the GB pot to the front panel so you can easily make the changes needed. The difference is that the pots used for these manual machines are precision components, designed to be adjusted all the time.

3. Get a unit that has Auto Ground Tracking.
Currently, NO Tesoro unit offers this feature. It is a micro-processor/software controlled function and there just isn't room in the Tesoro case for this extra circuitry. Maybe someday...

If you feel you must have a Tesoro with the flexiblity of adjustable GB, then the Vaquero, the Tejon or some of their predecessors are in your future. Otherwise, you'll have to look somewhere else for an auto-tracking unit.

 

[slingshot]

So you're saying the Silver umax has a ground adjust and if so where is it?

 

[rentasquid]

n/t

 

[dahut]

Typically it is the pot closest to the center of the circuit board.

Allow me to reiterate the cautions, for all concerned:

1. Be careful when making these adjustments; small incremental changes make a big difference with these little, 3/4 turn trimmer pots. You can get things out of whack if you don't follow this advice, so take it slow.
2. DO NOT disassemble the detecor case. Merely open the front panel as needed to access the potentiometer. This is one of those times when "less is more." It is very tight inside the Tesoro housing and you risk damage by getting ham-fisted in there.
3. Rememebr my earlier caveat: DO NOT use metallic screwdrivers for this work. These pots are fragile and there is a chance of physical damage or electrical shorts by using the wrong tool. I use a piece of sprue, like that found in plastic model kits. I simply file it down to make a tweaker.

Keep these things in mind and it isn't a worry. I do this sort of thing all the time in my work as an electrical/electronics tech. That's why these components are there. Just know the hazards and act accordingly.

For more information, head over to the Modifications forum and ask there - someone will have pics for you.