Coil chatter in salt water

[Jacko]

The other day I was helping out the the search fro Sammy's ring and I had my Coilteck 8x12 on the Explorer SE.  As soon as it was covered by the salt water (yes it is waterproof)  it started to chatter madly.  It nearly drove me nuts.  Back on to the wet sand it all went quiet.  Back to normal.  It did not like being underwater.

Today at beach looking for Katie's ring, with the other guys, I decided to put the 11" round coil that came with the unit.  Into the salt water, no chatter or at least very little compared to the coilteck.  It was OK on the wet sand as well.

Any ideas why this might happen??

Cheers
JackO

[Rwork]

Do you have to rebalance in the salt water ?

[Jacko]

Hi Rwork,

Not really a rebalance button on the Explorer.  I can switch from auto ground balance or manual (with the sensitivity).  With the  CT coil it made little difference.  Auto worked well with the Factory coil.  Tried Noise Cancel to find a clean channel and that made no diffrerence.   I guess I just change coils if I go to the beach.
Cheers
Jacko

[qujibo]

I'm pretty sure there's a member on this forum from Coilteck, just can't remember his name.  I'm sure he'd give you an answer, or at least be interested to hear about it.

Wayne

[Coiltek]

Hey Jacko,

Sounds like the coil may have a shielding issue and only prevalent when the coil is saturated with the salty conditions. Usually when a coil is submersed it should be stable and only chatter with changes in the coils relationship to the ground.

I am guessing you have tried it several times with the same results. Have you tried fresh water at all?? This might prove my theory of the salt water.

How old is the coil? If under warranty then we can send you a new one. If out of warranty then I would like to get it back inhouse for some investigation.

You can email me on ctmenquiry(at)coiltekmanufacturing.com.au with your reply.

All the best!
Trevor

[lxss5000]

I find sometimes with the wet sand I get a bit of chattering running in auto try manually turning the sensitivity down a little it should quieten it down.

[Jacko]

Just a follow upon this one.  I tried the coil in freshwater as Trevor from Coiltek had asked.  Still chatty although not as bad as in the salt water.
Anyway,  I sent the coil back to Coiltek (under warranty) and within a week I received a new coil.   

My thanks to Trevor and Tony at Coiltek for their prompt and courteous service.

Cheers
JackO

[Rwork]

Have you tried the new coil Jacko ?

[Jacko]

Only a quick hunt on Friday evening, Rwork.     2 pennys and 1891 QV halfpenny  + two brown buggers.  Seems to be OK but I am yet to immerse it in water.  That will be the test.....   I'll keep you posted.

Cheers
JackO

[Jacko]

Coil update:    Tried the new coil in freshwater today.   Plunged it up and down, waved it side to side......No chatter.   Put a small target in the water and it was located with no problems.

Also, this new coil seems a bit more sensitive than the one that went back to the maker.    The old one must have had a problem...?
Yet to test in salt water but I am relatively confident that it will be OK.

Happy chappy

Cheers
JackO

[FSH00]

Interesting to read the probs with your 8x12 as i have sent back my 8x12 for my SOV GT with the same problems but much worse, it wouldn't run quiet unless on min sens & loose half the depth compared to the stock coil & this was out of the water 

[Jacko]

HI FSHOO,
I guess they may have had a manufacturing fault with a batch of coils.........who knows??  I hope your problem is resolved as efficiently as mine was.

Cheers
JackO

[FSH00]

Thanks jacko, I sent mine last Monday so hopefully will hear from them soon.