PICKINI V4 - an easy to build, self adjusting PI detector

[F117]

Hi Bernte_one,

I mentioned it here a couple of times already, but it is important to switch on the detector away from metal and EMI ( so, not indoors ).
Directly after power-on, there is a 20s calibration phase that will set the detection level wrong if it is disturbed continuously by interference.

[bernte_one]

yes i know, i read all carefully
i would only say that Problems can be a result of wrong calibration or environmet influence

[nick holas]

hi bernt
hi bernard
hi all
i ve made some test with my v4 (i ve changed transistor ,pic,irf and also some caps and finaly it s.................my coil!!!!!! grrrrrr
spend 3 day for this grrrrrrrrr coil!!!!
made one new and finaly works!!!!
now i m on my smd v4 ,it left some smd caps (thanks aliexpress (express ????) and lm318 smd and it ll be finish
im on too 2 analog metal detector thats looks promising and one PP (minimax)
have nice day

[biciuliux]

What diameter of coil wire? And, What is TP1, TP2, TP3?

[F117]

TP..: test points - have a look at post #343 in this thread.
Coil: http://users.telenet.be/willaert/MD/...n/V3/coil.html

+ the coil section of this forum of course. Any coil that works for eg surfPI should work with Pickini.

[bernte_one]

hi bernt
hi bernard
hi all
i ve made some test with my v4 (i ve changed transistor ,pic,irf and also some caps and finaly it s.................my coil!!!!!! grrrrrr
spend 3 day for this grrrrrrrrr coil!!!!
made one new and finaly works!!!!
...

please tell us the Details, what was wrong with your coil?

[nick holas]

hi bernte
hi bernard
hi all
so simply that i didnt imagine that it can t be that
the wire was cut under the tape that i ve wounded around coil ,and the wire was cut in the middle of the coil so i can t view it!!!!!!!
when i tested it in one way that was good (0.6 ohms, aprox 400µH) and suddenly no continuity (don t know if thats the good word)
"et voila!!!!" finaly made one other coil and thats all good
thanks all

[morganton]

Short video of detecting with Pickini 4

I went to the park today with my Pickini 4 and spent a short time detecting and digging. My wife made a video of my first find:

https://youtu.be/OvFEMMV0HE4

Here is a photo of the loot I located in about 30 minutes:



Nothing very exciting in my finds but I'm very happy with how the detector works and the pinpoint feature is especially helpful.

I'm hoping to make it to a more exciting location in the near future.

[F117]

Nice video . Thanks for sharing it !
Even when no treasures are found, at least you get some exercise and fresh air.
These are also the typical finds here on the beach. Pickini v4 finds our iron euro-cent coins very attractive...
Well, you dug the trash and found some cash, what more can you expect in the park ?

Nice move with the pinpoint pushbutton an a very professional looking build

Best regards,
- Bernard

[morganton]

Nice video . Thanks for sharing it !
Even when no treasures are found, at least you get some exercise and fresh air.
These are also the typical finds here on the beach. Pickini v4 finds our iron euro-cent coins very attractive...
Well, you dug the trash and found some cash, what more can you expect in the park ?

Nice move with the pinpoint pushbutton an a very professional looking build

Best regards,
- Bernard

Thanks Bernard. You put together a great project!

[bernte_one]

Hello Nick,

did you get your smd Layout working?

i did some test with underwater coil made of cat 6 Network cable, Performance was very good
with a 20cm coil square shape i could detectect a 1L can at 70cm indoor
was not able to set to full sence in the house so i think outdoor it will give 90-80cm

but i still have Trouble with led Output instead of piezo buzzer

simple connect the led to pic Output does not work properly, yes i know i have to to connect a resistor in line for led protection

is there any way to create an alternative Driver that converts the Output Signal from pic Controller into smooth led behaviour (from off to full led light in conversion to pic output)
if not possible it would be also ok if led is off or on

you can test what i mean if you connect a led to Audio out from pic, but i think generated Signal is not best for led

[F117]

Bernt,
you can connect a LED directly to pin 7 of the controller. This was added as described in post #291.
This is a simple on/off detection indicator. You can attach an extra transistor here to drive more powerful LEDs - or a powerful buzzer ( to be heard underwater, even without headphones . When you attach the buzzer to the housing, the noise can be heard underwater).
A single hi-bright LED can be connected directly to the pin via a 470E resistor.

- Bernard

[bernte_one]

Thanks Bernard,

i think i will try it with a bc547 as Transistor Switch piezo buzzer itself is loud enough for land but you are right for underwater i can also try a Transistor to get more power from buzzer

regards Bernd

[bernte_one]

i read post 291- what should i say it´s exactly that function i Need (low/high state for led or vibro), it totally missed this upgrade

thanks Bernard for your work excellent

[F117]

Here are some pictures of my Pickini V4 dive detector.
The housing is this one: Basetech 1310189


There is only one hole - for the coil cable.
You have to open the box to access the on/off / sensitivity potmeter and the cinch battery charger connector.
The stem is also shortened to a little more than 1m. Coil is 20 cm.
Pin7 of the microcontroller is connected to the breadboard glued in the cover, with 1 transistor that switches on a bright red flashlight pointing to the coil + a hi-bright red LED inside the transparent housing.
Next to the red flashlight, there is a white LED flashlight that is continuously on.
I will still add a loud buzzer for extra detection indication. All driven by the same BC549 transistor connected to pin 7.

Some pictures: