Towing a coil behind a boat

[Surfline]

I have an XL500 and a Minelab Excalibur 800. I would like to add a long extension to the main unit and tow the coil behind a boat. I would like to keep the unit itself topside so that it does not get lost underwater. Does anyone know how I can modify the XL500 or Excalbur to do this (for example tested cable length)?

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[MikeDahms]

I don't have an answer to your question but another way to go is the JW Fishers detectors. In case you don't know JW Fishers is different from the other Fisher detector company. They have machines ready to tow. If this is a one time deal may be you can find someone to team up with who already has the equipment. I think an extender cable which is what you are asking for is difficult to impossible to do. The problems I see are the power losses due to the connectors used. The loss in output power is not that big a deal but the received power loss would be. Further you have a serious concern in making a waterproof connector. The ones Garrett use are special and I would guess hard to find and expensive. I would look for alternatives to solve you problem. Best of luck in getting your project going, Mike.

 

[Surfline]

Thanks Mike. The Fisher equipment is nice, but expensive. I am still going to try to modify the XL500 with a long wire to the coil. I want to keep the main unit with the headphones on the boat in case the coil gets snagged and lost. I will let you know how the project goes.

Thanks for the input.

Surfline

 

[MikeDahms]

That will be interesting. If you know a ham radio guy he may be able to help you with the construction and testing. I have an old pulse 8 which needs a battery pack and head phones. I think JW Fishers makes a coil with a towable cable for it. It that's of interest to you let me know. Best to you, Mike.