White's DFX and XLT drop in replacement display module now in testing.

[Sean_Goddard]

The drop in replacement mil spec' display replacement with fully adjustable LED backlight is now in testing. I will post an update asap.

The unit replaces the existing display, and can have a choice of background colours. the LED works EXACTLY like the old EL except that it fades between levels. I WAS going to add an auto brightness feature, but have not as yet.

I will post testing videos as soon as I have finished the first tests.

[Oldgriz]

I'm interested ( DFX )will it have a red light option for night hunting ? Estimated price ?

[Sean_Goddard]

I was looking at that option, I was also looking at an RGB backlight versio then you can set it how you like, but it woudl be settable ONLY via internal trimpots.

The light levels are modified and the lower level is VERY dim, but visible at night still. I doubt it could be seen from anything over 100m, you could always put some red lighting gel as used in theaters over the screen, OR I could custom modify the LCD module. The problem is that unless I redesigned the modult to take the input signals from the DFX or XLT and translate them to a newer GLCD module, due to the obsolete type used, it is very difficult (and expensive) to find compatible units, hence the standard "drop-in" will be around £120 and a custom module, around £150.

I'm hoping the final versions will be available around August as I'm working on a commision until then.

[Oldgriz]

Ok cool, I'm in the states and converting and waterproofing a DFX for beach / water use. Working on the water proof housings now.
One in plastic and one in tig welded aluminum sheet with a milled face plate. Unit will have a 1 to 10 psi gage and Schrader port to pressurize the case with nitrogen or air and act as a case leak detector.
Read out and key pad will be on the face plate or maybe on a flexible arm or cable for chest mounting.

Wand will be a straight carbon fiber shaft with the pin point switch in the handle. Maybe the batteries used for counter weight under elbow ?

I'm looking to leave the original keypad and screen in the original DFX pod as they were both replaced right before whites went under.
So looking at alternatives.
The screen whites used is still available.

[Sean_Goddard]

WOW..

Would you consider a swap? One of your waterproofing doobies for a module?

[Oldgriz]

Maybe, i haven't actually started building it yet .
its in the design / dimensional.drawing stage.
Figuring out materials and tracking down parts.
The smallest PSI gage i can find is 1 inch diameter and finding one that registers less than 10 PSI narrows it down even more.
Figuring O-rings and lay out , display screen waterproofing material.
Key pad water proofing ,clear vinyl ? I plan on using a DFX key pad as they are still available .
I also have an IDX pro i want to waterproof .

My plan is to build the case and put it in a tank full of water which I'm going to pull a deep vacuum on to test it.
I had three back surgeries and I'm fused L6 to L3 and can't bend over so no more ghost towns or digging dirt.
My metal detectors have been sitting gathering dust in a closet for five years ,was going to sell them but then thought maybe i can go beach hunting and use a long handle scoop so i don't have to get on the ground.

I was a prototype machinist at a biological research institution and ran the on site fabrication shop ,wood ,plastic ,metal .
Manual milling machines and lathes ,Tig ,stick and Mig welding and fabrication. Made gizmos and devices for the scientists.
Also did ultra-low refrigeration ( -80 C to -165 C ) and building automation and control ,HVAC.

I have a pretty complete home shop but its all manual machines . i do have digital read outs on my milling machine and lathe.

[Oldgriz]

Will your replacement screen include the control /driver board thats connected to it included or available as an option ?
That PCB seems to be a whites proprietary component not available elsewhere.
Or is there a work around /substitute component available that will work ?

[Sean_Goddard]

I have reverse Engineered the control board. The new one is much smaller as it is SMD, also, there is no need for a lumping great inverter as the new displays are PWM driven LED.

One other problem is that the LCD modules are quite expensive as although the old ones are available, LED backlight models are deeper, and won't fit. I have solved this using a new 3D printed mounting frame so you cut out the existing moulded supports, and drop mine straight in.

I use a PIC micro to read the backlight levels and adjust the PWM to match intensity.

The LAST issue is the existing PWM for contrast control is driven by a -5V source on the LCD module itself, but all modern ones use -10V for much better contrast and readability in sunlight. This means the control circuit has to be redesigned as the linearity is all out of whack, it's NOT as simple as changing resistance values (wish it was). Modern displays are linear, but the code which drives it is written for an old NON linear LCD so the circuit uses a current conversion through a non linear circuit which is then converted to voltage. Hey presto, a linear response.

A LOT of work is going into this module, and I hope they sell, as my development costs are around £1000 so far (had to buy a 32 channel logic analyser to figure out what signals did what. BTW the Hantek LA4032 is a great piece of kit, but the drivers are flakey as hell. Won't install, tries to install AMD drivers in an Intel machine, 64bit on a 32bit machine, the OS and CPU id is CRAP. I'm working with Hantek to solve this KNOWN problem. We'll see how it goes.

[Oldgriz]

I'm definitely interested in two of them ? The display in one of my DFX detectors is starting to degrade as its hot here in New Mexico and i bought it well used the year the quit making them. It came with a 9.5 coil that the mounting ears were broken off on. I milled them off flush and machined a new one out of derlin plastic. It did pay for itself on its first outing using a fire pit program.
The coal miners burned all of their trash when the the pile got big enough and there are a lot of them . of all the detector I've owned i think the DFX is My favorite.

Working on the water proof housing.
Trying to decide on what material to use .
i can weld up aluminum ,stainless and titanium or plastics ? Looking at building a vacuum forming machine.
I don't like any of the commercially available water proof boxes available.

I look forward to you new part solution.
Keep us posted.

[Sean_Goddard]

I have an Etrac but my FAVOURITE is my 1992 Eagle Spectrum which is getting a new high contrast display soon.

I've not found a deeper machine.

The other thing is, the LCD modules I am using are Mil temperature range. I'm NOT building this for maximum profit, I'm an Engineer, I build things to be the BEST they can be. Quality FIRST & ALWAYS.

I've done a lot of military stuff and I've never cut corners. Those guys have their lives on the line for our freedom, so I make damned sure the kit I work on works to specification, or better, I've even used better parts in some equipment than the manufacturer specified. My "bosses" get pissed due to the extra expense, but IDC.

[Oldgriz]

The eagle is a fine machine i owned and used one.
Back in the 70s my first machine was a Bounty hunter gold box BFO unit i bought for 80 dollars. My cousin got me hooked on treasure hunting . our families would rent a cabin on Saranac lake in the Adirondacks and we would go looking for old cabin sites and he would find the outhouse s and we would dig them up.
He had a huge blue box DB4 ? White's that weighed a ton . but we found a lot of stuff with it.

I did ultra low refrigeration -80 C to -165 C and building automation install and commissioning for Wal-Mart ,target and grocery stores. Refrigeration service. Pipe welding and fabrication etc