Surf Pi Professional Pcb's back in stock - NEW Prices

[Qiaozhi]

I'm new here, so I need the Info to order 1 or 2 etc... The Kit includes the parts or just the board? thanks

http://www.silverdog.co.uk/shop/inde...&product_id=76

[goldstar]

Thanks, but I alredy try to order but it won't let me because it says that there's no shippin to Puerto Rico. We use the "post office of the United States or the UPS What should I do? I really really want that kit.

[6666]

Send an email to silverdog and ask him about the shipping

[silverdog]

Shipping to Puerto Rico should now be sorted

Opencart, the software than powers my shop only loads a default number of countries, others I have to add if required, and I'm not going to add all 200+ just in case
If you have trouble checking out and get no shipping options available, contact me and I will add your country

[goldstar]

Thanks for all the help you have provide. Great forum I have learn a lot. can't wait to have it alredy. Regards

[Waikiki_Sweep]

UNDERWATER SURF PI CASE. I hope to see "rectangular" version of Longboard kit for Surf PI

I have already assembled two Surf PI metal detectors using waterproof boxes
from film photo cameras to use it UNDERWATER.
Nobody wants film cameras now so it is cheap to buy. For example $13
in Walmart or even cheaper on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Snap+Sights+CAMERA (from $5 for Waterproof box only)

It is REUSABLE Waterproof box that can withstand water pressure up to 100feet (30 meters)
You can open and close box easy and it is reliable because of O-ring and good plastic.
I am using such box for my Surf PI last two years (over 1000 hours) of searching
in salt water and very satisfied with it.

In addition I am using rubber bands to keep halves together to protect it from accidental leaks
because if wave hits your detector very hard lock may fail and water gets it. (It was once) Also I am using corn oil to lubricate O-ring. It works.

I recommend to use SNAP SIGHTS SS01 because it is bigger
and fits 8-AA battery case but smaller SNAP SIGHTS SS02 (no flash)
works for me too because it fits 3 Li-Ion 18650 rechargeable batteries 3.7V
from broken laptop. In full charge it gives me 4.18V each or 12.54V. It lasts 20 hours or even more
and has 3.8V after such use or 11.4V Charger for 18650 costs few dollars on eBay.
So I am saving lots of $$$$$$$$ on batteries.

I HAVE ONLY ONE PROBLEM: LONGBOARD DOES NOT FIT TO SUCH BOXES.
So I have to cut it then connect pieces you can see how on the diagram.

!!! PLEASE REFER TO YOUR VERSION OF LONGBOARD AND CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS !!!

Because some Longboard versions are different and you may end up in smoke shorting power supply.

BETTER SOLUTION IS ask our BEST FRIEND Silverdog to make "rectangular" version
of longboard to let it fit such magnificent waterproof boxes.

Good Luck!

[UFO]

Lol that's funny I thought of doing the same thing.

Actually the longboard is cool for putting into tubes etc, but I was surprised that there was not the regular shaped board as well.

I picked up one of these waterproof boxes from Walmart that I plan on using for a MD project. The inside dimensions are approx 130mm x 80mm.

If you look in the second picture you will see there is a small vent to release the pressure when you open it. I prefer that it was not there but I guess it's not the end of the world, just make sure it's clean when you snap it shut. It even came with a spare rubber plug which I might have misplaced already. (I put it in a spot where I would not lose it.)

They also have larger sizes.

This one weighs approx 230 grams, without the red liners.

[ApBerg]

UFO:
Actually the longboard is cool for putting into tubes etc, but I was surprised that there was not the regular shaped board as well.



... made some 'normal' board in Sprint Layout ...the last after Carl gave the Whites Surf Pro schematic on this board.

Have not made it for real, only as pcb Sprint file, so there can be errors in it !! The potentiometers can work inverse.. there is a extra potentiometer near the 555 and a extra preset delay

If somebody can check it.. ?

Best regards

Ap

[smity]

Dear Appie. I really like your printed circuit boards. But the long PCBs, the best among the best! They are very convenient for use under water. You do such a variant for "Pro" version? Yours.

[Waikiki_Sweep]

My MD's in SNAP SIGHTS UNDERWATER film camera cases

Thank you so much ApBerg for Layout update!
I will try to check this layout. I hope to see it "in production" some day.

Did you named this version yet? :-) Longboard is a famous brand this one will be too.

Also I can see Sensitivity pot in this layout.
It looks important and makes it superior to Longboard.
I have checked that Surf PI in air can work with 4 times more amplification
than in salt water. So we can adjust sensitivity when use it in land or water.

Below I am glad to present my MD's in SNAP SIGHTS UNDERWATER film camera cases I am using from 2009.

First MD has been assembled even without PCB. I have used Radioshak Prototyping board.
I second MD I'v cut Longboard in two pieces.

[juice2839]

Laptop batteries

I noticed you used Lithion laptop batterys. I was thinking of doing this exact thing. How much time do you get with your detector with these fully charged?

[Waikiki_Sweep]

Li-Ion 18650 rechargeable batteries 3.7V should be a STANDART for 12V power supply for MD

3 cells of 18650 3.7V rechargeable batteries In full charge will give 4.18V each or 12.54V.
Also it has approx 2200 mA/h capacity that is close to regular alkaline AA.
Some new 18650 advertised to have 3800 mA/h or more.

3 cells of 18650 takes much less space and weight much less then 8 AA pack.
Also it costs you nothing because you can charge it 500 times and have LIMITLESS
source of it from broken laptop computers. Or you can just buy such cells for $2-3
on eBay.

Chargers are cheap too: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=18650
I have purchased two for $3.40 each. Last year I have assembled my own charger
with using MAX1555 IC. But chargers from China looks cheaper and easier to buy.

You will need to buy a proper case that fits your design:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=18650+case

Regarding how long it will work with Surf PI.

As I know Surf PI is using 55 mA current. So it have to work 20-40 hours on one charge
just like regular 8 AA batteries pack before you will need to recharge it.

BUT !!! Once you noticed that now you have endless source of FREE power you will
start experimenting. No reason to care how much power suck your metal detector.

So first what I did I have increased impulse width.
In regular Surf PI you can see that 25 mA consumed by schematics and 25mA goes to
impulse magnetic field. (If you disconnect coil you will see only 25mA consuming by schematic)

In my two detectors I have 85 and 120 mA power consumption because of longer
pulses. So 60 and 95 mA goes to create much stronger magnetic fields.

2-3 times stronger magnetic field lets me to seek for dipper targets and
excite smaller targets too like small gold. (To prove it i can show gold chain 6mm wide i found)

It is not a my invention. You can read manual for Tesoro Sand Shark metal detector.
They state that longer impulse consuming more power but may increase sensitivity:
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/pdf/...-sandshark.pdf
Also I think that impulses in Whites Surf PI PRO Dualfield are more powerful too
because I can hear interferance from Dualfield detectors from much far distance than
from older Surf PI on my beach.

So I am recharging batteries from one detector (120 mA) after 12 hours of work and
for second MD (85 mA) after 20 hours. Or i can charge it daily to have top voltage all the time.

With more power you can use bigger cois to cover more area and bigger wires to supply more current.
You can rise frequency to have more readings per second.
So no more limited and expensive power from AA batteries.

With Li-Ion cells you will have wide field for overclocking experiments.

Also you will GO GREEN !!! I had boxes with pounds of partially used AA batteries
before switching to Li-Ion.

[sparky]

Can you give us more details on your detector. How many turns and what gauge wire did you use on coils? What is your coil assembly made of? How did you make the headphones waterproof? How did you waterproof the headphone wires going into the box?

[Waikiki_Sweep]

more details

Can you give us more details on your detector. How many turns and what gauge wire did you use on coils? What is your coil assembly made of? How did you make the headphones waterproof? How did you waterproof the headphone wires going into the box?

Wire: AWG 24 or AWG 26, Teflon or PVC insulated, stranded.

Turns: 18 or 20 or 22 (18 for bigger coils, 22 for smaller coils) Everything will work
from 240 mH to 350 mH inductance, just need proper dumping resistor.

Coil assembly: coil covered by several layers of fiberglass, just like surfboard but no air or foam inside.

Headphones waterproofing: I have purchased mylar blanket from WalMart and Aluminum Foil Tape for waterproofing appliances. Aluminum Foil Tape looks like scotch roll, it is sticky and smells like gasoline or patches for bicycle tires.
I put speaker on mylar film face down then cover it with piece of Aluminum Foil Tape (put a few drops of sealant on wires to stop water going along speaker wires) Aluminum Foil Tape will stick to mylar to seal the speaker. You will have an envelope with one side mylar (front of speaker) and another side - Aluminum Foil Tape (back of speaker). May be it is good idea to paint Aluminum Foil Tape side to prevent corrosion. Keep mylar metalized side inside or water will corrode aluminum from mylar film. Use ohmmeter to check what side of mylar is metalized. Insulate connection points on the speaker from Aluminum Foil Tape or it will short the speaker. I am using Hot Glue to seal wires where two speakers connected together and spiral phone extension cord.

Waterproof cables: I am using big amount of Hot Glue to seal cables coming to the box inside and outside.

To make a stem I have bend PVC plastic pipe by heating it on gas burner.

I have checked that Surf PI is very stable if properly assembled so you do not need any pots outside just Turn ON/OFF switch and adjusted once it will work for years with the same settings.

Aluminum Foil Tape:

[sparky]

Thank you! Very nicely done.

I will be starting on mine very shortly.