Surf PI - Completed Project

[multieagle]

After many moons, finally have a completed Surf PI. I need an external microphone for my camera, so cannot post video at this time. See still images below.

Thanks to all those who helped me along, and to Andy of Silverdog for his assistance.

[Rayjay]

What are the specs on your coil. type of wire, turns, diameter, inductance, flat coil or just wound. I need to build a coil that works. Thanks

[marianci]

Congrats! Did you get to use it in salty water? I have also ordered one kit, still waiting for it. I am very interested in using it in heavy mineralised salt water, a feedback would be very appreciated.
Thanks and happy hunting!

[ZX12R]

Hi All,
I am on with building one of these, I have soldered all the components onto the board, I still have to fit the IC's (Was waiting until the very last thing before testing).
I am new to electronics and new to metal detecting.
I now have to make the coil, coil housing, control box and stem.

I was/am going to mount the board using a hot glue gun and stick it to the box I waiting for, will this do?
If I use an expoxy resin to seal the coil, will the heat from this as it is hardening ruin the coil?

Hope someone can help :-)

Jason

[zelkos]

I was/am going to mount the board using a hot glue gun and stick it to the box I waiting for, will this do?

Hi Jason,
No!
You need to have the opportunity to dismantle the pcb out of the box.
Imagine you need to change some capacitor, pcb glued ...
Problems ...

If I use an expoxy resin to seal the coil, will the heat from this as it is hardening ruin the coil?

It depends on the insulator. Enamelled wire should survive...

Regards

[ZX12R]

Oh Yes about the PCB, never thought of that, I need to come with another idea then as the PCB has no mounting holes and little room to create some, I might have to try and make "something" that is glued to the box that the PCB clips into it.

Oh yeah I have another question, I used a flux and this is still visible, even after washing the PCB and drying it out, will that "Isoprobal alchohol" I think its called that, clean the flux off and where can I buy it from?

[zelkos]

Isopropil alchohol... Perhaps the pharmacy, diy store ...

I use nitro thinner, and the first all good rub with a short brush, especially around the IC-s, then clean up with "ear stick"...
Find a large package of cheap Chinese rough brushes and with scissors shorten hairs.
When everything is clean and dry - layer "plasitc spray" to protect pcb.

All this after the adjustment!
Be sure to work on ventilated area without a lot of "sniffing" ...

[6666]

With the pcb, hot glue some wooden posts to the pcb, then glue the posts to the box.

[daverave]

Hi All,
I am on with building one of these, I have soldered all the components onto the board, I still have to fit the IC's (Was waiting until the very last thing before testing).
I am new to electronics and new to metal detecting.
I now have to make the coil, coil housing, control box and stem.

I was/am going to mount the board using a hot glue gun and stick it to the box I waiting for, will this do?
If I use an expoxy resin to seal the coil, will the heat from this as it is hardening ruin the coil?

Hope someone can help :-)

Jason

its best to pack out the inside of the coil with polystyrene so you dont use too much resin otherwise the coil could be heavy !!! also use a slow cure epoxy resin taking about 24 hours to cure other wise if you use a fast cure then much heat is generated which can warp the coil shell badly !!!!

[ZX12R]

Morning Guys,
I would like to thank you for your comments, it is now making it much easier for me to complete this project.
Can't wait to get it going and find my first bit of bling
Jason