Old 2200 used once

[Bobby]

This a kinda funny story ,

I've been asked to have a look at a ML2200 that was bought new with a small gold test nugget about 12 years ago , the guy who bought it buried the nugget to test out his new toy , result was he couldn't find it so the detector was put away to just recently when it was rediscovered by a family member .

I think the batteries will be stuffed by now , any advice for where he can get some new ones for this model ?

Bobby.

[Mechanic]

Hi Bobby,

Dick Smith used to sell them, but god knows if they still sell them now! Jaycar would probably have them, or battery world.

You are looking for 6v 7Ah SLA(sealed lead acid) batterys. The amp hour rating could be increased or decreased, this just affects operating time and weight of the battery.

Alternatively they could opt for one of the many li ion battery systems available, but just replacing the original lead acid would be cheapest. Also the lead acid acts as a counter weight when running with a bungy.

Cheers Mick

[Bobby]

Thanks Mick for the good advice , I'll pass that on tomorrow .

I didn't know about the battery counter balance on the bungee  !

Regards
Bobby                         

[dustyminer]

HI BOBBY- the set up i ran with my sd2200d was coiltech li-ion 7.3v regulated battery with external speaker/booster combo and i found it ideal. the original battery's were bloody heavy bricks and like mick pointed out they can be counter balanced but the extra fatigue from the weight does take it out of you over a long day. yes the li-ion is a bit more pricy but i reckon it's worth every penny for semi serious detecting.

cheer's- dusty!!

[Huego]

As an owner of a 2200D like Dusty, I agree with him. Lightweight regulated batteres are worth every penny. 

[Bobby]

Thanks  Dusty & Huego , I'll be going hunting with him as he's got permission for getting onto prime ground & we will be sharing the spoils   

 Like your opinions on the 2200 discriminator , is it any good or  a gimmick ?
 Also its only got the one coil 11" DD .

Bobby.

[Huego]

IT OK for large iron objects, but I rarely rely on it. It only works with the DD. Best to dig everything.

After he gets to know it again & has a good regulated power supply & enhancer fitted, I would suggest he gets (if he can afford it) 1-2 modern coils which will perform better (quieter, lighter, more sensitive & bump resistant etc) than the old one he has. He will need to refresh himself on good detecting techniques again. Alluvium may be able to add with his know-how & refresher suggetions in that country (western NSW).

"Low & slow" is always good basic advice, and don't just listen for the BIG signals listen for the faint and barely discernable,  scrape with boot and try again, its usually Much better. Learn to pinpoint, dig and locate efficiently and quickly and use a magnet, learn what hot ground & rocks sound like, refill holes ..... lots of stuff you could go through with him again Bobby.

Cheers Huego  

[IBGold]

Hi Bobby,
The easy and cheap way is to take the top off the old battery's as they are only held by hot melt glue and replace the battery they are 6 volt 14 AH gel cells available from most battery dealers if he needs any more tops I have a mould for making them.
Regards, Ian.

[Bobby]

Hi Bobby,
The easy and cheap way is to take the top off the old battery's as they are only held by hot melt glue and replace the battery they are 6 volt 14 AH gel cells available from most battery dealers if he needs any more tops I have a mould for making them.
Regards, Ian.

Thanks Ian , never would have thought of that , I'll let him know  ::38::

Huego , appreciate your advice .

Cheers Bobby.

[WM6]

This a kinda funny story ,

the guy who bought it buried the nugget to test out his new toy , result was he couldn't find it

Yes, proper for new topic at Prospecting stories here on forum.

[Alluvium]

Hi Bobby,

Have you got to look at the serial # on the control box??

The best battery system on the SD2200D is a 12 volt regulated to 7.3 volts.

Another item that helps is a Coiltek Booster, you can substitute this with a Speaker Amp/Volume control etc.

This model excelled when using a large 18"inch DD coil.  It would handle the ground much better and go real deep depending on the target. 2"feet to 30"inches at times.

The other thing to use on these is a reverse pitch coil for deep gold, I ended up with a standard pitch 16"in NF DD, plus a reverse pitch NF 16"inch DD, the no switch type.

They were the bees knees, if using this coil the small gold used to dip so you had to be carefull not to go too fast and listen for that tell tale repeatable little groan in the one spot.

In shallow ground say surface to 1'foot it is best to use a standard DD coil.

Bobby I hope this helps your mate, I certainally did not want to sell my good 2200 but the boss at coiltek said you cannot take people out with new Extremes, 3000's and 3500's then pull out your 2200.

Many did ask why I had not updated up until I bought a GP3000.

Cheers  Alluvium.

[Bobby]

Hi Bobby,

Have you got to look at the serial # on the control box??

The best battery system on the SD2200D is a 12 volt regulated to 7.3 volts.

Another item that helps is a Coiltek Booster, you can substitute this with a Speaker Amp/Volume control etc.

This model excelled when using a large 18"inch DD coil.  It would handle the ground much better and go real deep depending on the target. 2"feet to 30"inches at times.

The other thing to use on these is a reverse pitch coil for deep gold, I ended up with a standard pitch 16"in NF DD, plus a reverse pitch NF 16"inch DD, the no switch type.

They were the bees knees, if using this coil the small gold used to dip so you had to be carefull not to go too fast and listen for that tell tale repeatable little groan in the one spot.

In shallow ground say surface to 1'foot it is best to use a standard DD coil.

Bobby I hope this helps your mate, I certainally did not want to sell my good 2200 but the boss at coiltek said you cannot take people out with new Extremes, 3000's and 3500's then pull out your 2200.

Many did ask why I had not updated up until I bought a GP3000.

Cheers  Alluvium.

Hi Alluvium ,

I've seen the 2200 , looks like a new machine with a bit of dust on it , will check the serial number when I see him again .
 Will print out all that good info about coils for him .

 That was funny about your boss telling you to update , bet there are heaps of blokes who regretted doing it .
 Maybe he could swap it for a 3500   

Thank You
Bobby.