Garrett EuroAce (350) Silver Mod

[Funfinder]

This modification is similar to the Ace 250 here but even easier:
http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...he-Garrett-Ace

Its called Silver-Mod because it improves silver-coin detection ca. 25%!

Instead of the 47,5k resistor the Euro Ace uses a 30,1k one.
After ripping it off the PCB carefully only a variable 47k resistor is needed.
Soldering-points remain the same.

The more in the middle of the PCB located variable poti has to
be turned until the 47k variable resistor is within its usable range.

Tuning the detector to high silver sensitivity also makes it more immune
against electro-smog. The erratic beeps occure much less.

Thats enough info for now. Have fun.

[gotliebe]

Hi Funfinder,
Tired of using complicated metal detector as my XP Deus where if you fail to set a parametr not find anything and a simple ACE 250 will find more(Personal experience), I recently purchased a used Euroace for its ease of use and its good performance. Turning to the Web to find information for its use have come to know that is possible make mods that enhance its performance. I'm surprised how on this forum are well explained the mods and how making available to all users the information needed to mods,. Here in Italy someone has already made mods in 2012 on Euroace probably starting with mods on ACE 250 copied on this site. They have brought out of the box the two potentiometers mounted on the PCB and have modified RC filters that drive the two comparators of the LM393 with the aim to emphasize the sensitivity of gold and probably successfully. On Italian forums only gave generic explanations saying that the function of the two potentiometers are intended one for adjusting the sensitivity (with the movement of the ID of metals) and the other for the adjustment of the manual ground balance. For your experience those two potentiometers can adjust effectively sensitivity and manual ground balance? If this were true, the EUROACE become a great tool for mineralized ground. I hope you can give me an answer about this possibility and not as occurs here in Italy where it seems that the mods are a state secret.

[gotliebe]

Effecting the change from you described above, to obtain a good ground balance how you adjust the two potentiometers of the PCB?
I think that after having approached the coil to the ground is necessary to press the pinpoint button (all metall) and adjust R52 pot until reset the bar on display to zero digit, the other R48 pot for me is not necessary to touch as he adjusts the amplitude of the input signal to the comparator LM393 pin 2 that for me already adjust the sensibility. What do you think about ?

[Funfinder]

Hi,
the EuroAce already is adjusted to higher (european) mineralization compared to the Ace 250.
Usually you only have to turn the PCBs more in the middle potentiometer somehow counter-clockwise
so it matches again with the new added variable resistor.
Working with the pinpoint-button is not needed.

You can get ultra-sensitivity if you shift the metal-disc slightly out of range but in this case
silver could also give low iron signals while rusty nails may produce silver-bling bling signals
and it confuses the discrimination.

If you test the mod at home you will have lower sensitivity than outside because those Garrett detectors
are very electro-smog sensitive.
If you wanna experiment I suggest you solder 2 battery cables directly onto the PCB +6v- pins
first because otherwise the power will be off after opening the housing.

If you wanna have even more depth their exists special larger coils - 38cm or something.

btw. the EuroAce also is a great tool for mountain hiking or trekking because its really lightweight.
And especially if it rains outside and with that additonal protection cap the Ace 250 or EuroAce works perfect.