Meaningless names for an uninitiated person: butterfly, ellipse, "sniper" - always attract the attention of a seeker of valuable metals. Metal detector coils can completely ruin a trip to the excavations or give their owner positive emotions and valuable finds.
The coil is a periscope, only all observations take place underground. Each metal detector has its own standard coil, and for a beginner digger it is enough for the first time. But then, to get the best search result, you will need to have several types of different coils in your arsenal.
Search coils
There is no universal metal detector coil. For each particular exit point, a special device is needed for the search to be successful. You should always remember that a considerable number of treasure hunters walk in the same areas as you, and it becomes difficult to find a secluded place. What is needed is a coil that can spot what the competition has failed to find. When choosing it, you should consider:
- location of the place where the search will be performed;
- probable finds;
- garbage;
- soil mineralization.
Large-sized metal detector coils covering a wide area, in places with a lot of debris, will not bring pleasure in searching. And with small "snipers" it is convenient to work in such a place. The search coil criteria are:
- size size - small, medium, large;
- shape type - butterfly, ellipse, circle;
- frequency (the number of waves that are sent into the ground to find metal) - high for finding small targets, low for large ones.
Which reel to buy?
Purchasing a coil, as well as the metal detector itself, is a responsible business. The generic models that come with a metal detector are great to start with, but later on you will need variations of them to work in different areas. It is necessary to determine the search location in order to select the appropriate size and shape of the coil.
In the ideal case, you should have several different ones in order to always be in full readiness, since it is possible to change several search locations in a day. It is not necessary to replace an outdated detector with a new one; it is cheaper to purchase a coil for it. It is safer to buy a product of the same brand as the metal detector, or from a partner manufacturer recommended by the supplier. When buying, do not forget to pay attention to warranty service.
Garrett ACE 250 metal detector
This metal detector is the undisputed leader in the Russian market. The device has a reliable circuit, high-quality performance, an excellent combination of price and search characteristics. He showed himself perfectly among a wide range of search engines. The detector is produced by the American company Garrett, which is the leading company. The following additional features distinguish it from the previously released Garrett ACE 150 metal detector:
- Pinpointer. It gives the most accurate information about finding the find underground. And this helps to avoid digging large pits and save time and effort.
- Wide scale discrimination. The metal detector contains 12 sectors independent of each other to determine the metal. Depending on the algorithms, they receive information about the shape, material, conductivity of the object. For comparison: the previous detector Garrett ACE 150 contained only 5 sectors. This means that each signal of the new device is more informative.
The principle of operation of a simple metal detector Garrett ACE 250 allows anyone with no experience to quickly learn how to use it and enjoy the hobby. It is this detector, as the easiest to use, that has gained great popularity among search engines.
Description of the device Garrett ACE 250
The device is made using modern technologies, similar to those used in more expensive models. It is easy to set up and manage, has high sensitivity, quickly responds to the target. Garrett metal detectorhas the ability to search in the "all metals" and "discrimination" modes, which allows you to select the type of metal you want (silver, copper, gold), and not rip out garbage from iron. The weight of the device is slightly more than a kilogram, it fits comfortably in the hand, and it is convenient to work with it. The metal detector contains the following modes:
- any metals;
- only jewelry;
- relics;
- all coins;
- custom.
Using the modes of a simple metal detector, the user can quickly and conveniently search for certain items, filtering out unnecessary signals. In addition, the operator can specify his own mode of operation.
Types of coils
The metal detector coil has two loops:
- Transmitting - produces an electromagnetic field.
- Receiving - monitors field changes. The field begins to deform when a metal object gets under the coil. The resulting distortion allows the operator to start searching for the item.
Coils are of the following types:
- Concentric. The loops (receiving and transmitting) are spaced as far apart as possible. As a result of this, a symmetrical field is created, which makes it possible to better separate the finds that lie side by side in one posting. The field has the shape of a cone. The concentric coil of the metal detector is designed for the entire set of existing finds. They are affected by increased ground mineralization.
- Mono. It is used on impulsemetal detector. The receiving and transmitting loops are located side by side. Has the same properties as the concentric.
- Imaging. A feature of this coil is an additional receiving loop. This allows the detector to identify the find most accurately.
- DD. The coil is used to search for non-ferrous metals. It has good sensitivity to small finds. The coil field is shaped like a flat bucket, which ensures the same visibility at different depths. Unaffected by high soil mineralization.
Shape of Coils
Metal detector coils vary in shape by:
- Ellipsoid. They well separate the targets located nearby. Ellipse-shaped coils are more accurate in pinpoint mode, and they allow you to search for objects in dirty areas.
- Round. These coils allow you to determine the subject at a greater depth than the ellipsoid.
DIY metal detector coil
Making a coil yourself is not difficult, as it does not require great precision in manufacturing.
- You will need a mandrel to wind the coil. To do this, take a board and draw a circle or the Latin letter D on its surface. Small carnations are stuffed around the perimeter of the figure.
- For the transmitting coil, take a small length of copper wire, the diameter of which is 0.45–0.6 mm, and wind the mandrel 25 times. Do-it-yourself receiving coil for a metal detector is made in the same way, only copper wire is taken with a diameter of 0.2 mm.
- Tie the coils with a thread every one and a halfcentimeter and remove from the mandrel.
- Impregnate the coils using epoxy or varnish.
- Dry the product well during the day.
- Wrap coils with electrical tape or FUM tape.
- Make product shielding by wrapping them with thin foil.
- Wrap a wire without insulation on top of the foil, preferably tinned to improve electrical conductivity.
- The body of the metal detector coil can be made of Styrofoam or Styrofoam. For strength, its outer and inner surfaces are reinforced.
- Make the grooves of the coil using a cutter. The depth of the grooves should be such that after immersing them from above, it would be possible to fill the coils with epoxy.
So, the homemade coil for the metal detector is ready and placed in the case.
Quick Coil Repair
Sometimes, unsuccessfully waving the device, you can hit the coil on a stone or tree roots. The metal detector starts to “scream”, and a chip appears on the coil. Such a defect must be filled with epoxy resin, and the detector will still work properly. Experienced searchers advise buying epoxy resin in the form of a pencil or two syringes in a hardware store and always carry it with you. If a chip appears, fill it with glue and continue the search after a few hours. Most importantly, you need to wait a certain time for the resin to harden. It is best to repair the metal detector coil in the evening, and in the morning wrap the chipped area with electrical tape for additional protection, and you can work.
Superglue can be used for faster repairs. It freezes much faster. In a backpack, a treasure hunter should always have a tube of superglue, strips from a bicycle tube (several pieces) and a medical tourniquet. Having noticed a chip, you need to carefully remove the dirt from it, drop a few drops of glue, after two minutes tighten this place tightly with a tourniquet, capturing the undamaged places of the coil, and stick the camera strip on the same glue. This, of course, is a temporary repair, but it allows you to use the metal detector for another two days. At home, the coil can be repaired more carefully. To keep the product in proper condition, you can buy protection for the metal detector coil or make it yourself from improvised means, for example, wrap it with electrical tape or a thick cloth, attach the bottom of a plastic bucket to the outer surface.
Conclusion
You should not rush to change the metal detector if it is not technically outdated yet, it has several detection frequencies and there is a setting for the soil.
Minor additions will increase its sensitivity and detection depth.
