A big problem for a detectorist is the consumption of batteries, alkaline batteries are expensive and polluting, most are used as rechargeable NiMH batteries, but have a voltage of 1.3 volts at full load, 0.2 less than the alkaline and then charging indicator of metal detectors, often starts with a point less than alkaline.
I found myself recovering a lithium ion battery pack from a laptop computer, 2.4 amps 4.2 volts per cell at full charge, equal to three batteries 12.6 volts, the problem is how do you put inside the battery pack metal, often look around to find the solution,
I work in IT and use tapes for data backup, the box of an old model of 8 mm tape I solved the problem, it came perfectly inside the battery compartment on my MXT, but also in all models including White's V3 , dimensions are 68 x 102 x 19 mm.
Also need a piece of PCB, two thumbtacks, a fuse 0.250 A, double-sided tape, insulated copper wire, four miniscrews.
The exact size of printed circuit boards are made by putting on the battery pack and draw the line.
The box must be changed because the batteries are slightly higher, you must cut a portion of the bottom with a knife, the box is fixed with double sided tape and four microscrews, the battery pack weighs over 95 grams less than the original batteries included.
Anyway, just look at the pictures to understand how to assemble everything.
I put a fuse and batteries should be fixed with some glue.
Regarding the battery pack of minelab explorer II , it is a little more complicated, the point of contact of the battery pack must be constructed by gluing with epoxy sectors of vetronite properly constructed, so the coupling of the battery pack.
All this will not be a final draft but an idea on how to do, everyone can use what he considers best, the goal is to have something that works, since using these battery packs I've had no problems, sometimes i forget when I put the last battery pack on the metal detector and this is no small thing.
White's battery pack and my pack.
The tape
The open box and LiIon batteries
Detail of open box
Detail of contacts
Below
Battery pack of Explorer II and my pack.
Detail of head
Again
Back
Below
Detail of contacts
I hope to be helpful, however we must be careful to avoid doing damage to your metal detector, to respect the polarity of the connections, the lithium ion batteries can be dangerous if used improperly.
Good job.
Xergix
i5eus
I found myself recovering a lithium ion battery pack from a laptop computer, 2.4 amps 4.2 volts per cell at full charge, equal to three batteries 12.6 volts, the problem is how do you put inside the battery pack metal, often look around to find the solution,
I work in IT and use tapes for data backup, the box of an old model of 8 mm tape I solved the problem, it came perfectly inside the battery compartment on my MXT, but also in all models including White's V3 , dimensions are 68 x 102 x 19 mm.
Also need a piece of PCB, two thumbtacks, a fuse 0.250 A, double-sided tape, insulated copper wire, four miniscrews.
The exact size of printed circuit boards are made by putting on the battery pack and draw the line.
The box must be changed because the batteries are slightly higher, you must cut a portion of the bottom with a knife, the box is fixed with double sided tape and four microscrews, the battery pack weighs over 95 grams less than the original batteries included.
Anyway, just look at the pictures to understand how to assemble everything.
I put a fuse and batteries should be fixed with some glue.
Regarding the battery pack of minelab explorer II , it is a little more complicated, the point of contact of the battery pack must be constructed by gluing with epoxy sectors of vetronite properly constructed, so the coupling of the battery pack.
All this will not be a final draft but an idea on how to do, everyone can use what he considers best, the goal is to have something that works, since using these battery packs I've had no problems, sometimes i forget when I put the last battery pack on the metal detector and this is no small thing.
White's battery pack and my pack.

The tape

The open box and LiIon batteries

Detail of open box

Detail of contacts

Below

Battery pack of Explorer II and my pack.

Detail of head

Again

Back

Below

Detail of contacts

I hope to be helpful, however we must be careful to avoid doing damage to your metal detector, to respect the polarity of the connections, the lithium ion batteries can be dangerous if used improperly.
Good job.
Xergix
i5eus