Vallon VMH3CS Re-case

[KingJL]

About 5 yrs ago, Eric Foster gave me the electronics for a VMH3Cs to aid in our efforts to analyze the TX and FE methodology/technology. During that effort, I originally cased the electronics in a generic Hammond housing (discussed and shown here). Last year I obtained a Bambu Labs X1C 3D printer. Since then a project that has been in the back of my mind, has been to 3D print a new case for the VMH3CS electronics that looked and felt like a proper metal detector. Well, last week I stopped procrastinating and start the design/development of a proper VMH3CS re-case. The design was executed with Autodesk Fusion 360 and resulted with 7 3d models (electronics enclosure bottom, electronics enclosure top, two shaft clamps, power switch knob, enclosure-display transition, and display mount. The display mount holds the original Vallon VMH3CS display. The parts were printed with Olive Drab PCTG filament from 3D-Fuels. The attached pictures show the completed parts of the printed enclosure.



The next step is final assembly (currently waiting on some 3mm black self tapping screws).

[Altra]

Nice work!

If you need any mechanical parts, coil etc pm me. I'm not going to do anything with my unit. Keeping the Tx pcb to do a complete RE on it someday.

[KingJL]

More progress!!

Electronics fitted:


All together and mounted:


The next part is to re-do the battery box arrangement. So far I am pleased with the result!

[F117]

Very nice work !
I just love the Vallon. My favorite detector on the beach.
I replaced the 3 bulky and heavy D cells with 2 x 18650 LiIon batteries in parallel.
The Vallon is happy with 3.7V and it saves a couple of grams + you can recharge them.

[KingJL]

...I replaced the 3 bulky and heavy D cells with 2 x 18650 LiIon batteries in parallel.
The Vallon is happy with 3.7V and it saves a couple of grams + you can recharge them.

Currently using a 5V power pack... not really happy with it... I was thinking along the same line as you (2 18650's in parallel). What did you use to protect against the accidental reversing of one of the 18650's (which creates a battery short)?

[F117]

I connected 2 x 18650 in parallel



Then wrapped in some foam:



Then placed them in a piece of drain tube with the same dimensions as 3 x D cells.
Both bulkheads are the head of a PET softdrink bottle.
Both ends have a screw and washer as battery contacts.






The "golden" side is the plus contact. This slides head first in the Vallon tube.

And finally made a USB charger from a Maglite tube that fitted 3 D cells:

[KingJL]

More progress!!

Electronics fitted:


All together and mounted:


The next part is to re-do the battery box arrangement. So far I am pleased with the result!

Well... finally decided and implemented a battery box solution. I finally settled on a compact commercial usb power bank:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7PHKKNK...t_details&th=1

Designed (in Fusion 360) and printed (on my Bambu X1C) a clip-on holder (to fit the Whites "S" shaft) for the power bank:


Tested the unit and found that the battery pack powered the Vallon for 9 hrs of continuous operation before the battery needs recharged. I am more than happy with the final result!!!