Problems with original Sovereign, need help.

[compass man]

Hi all, I'm having a problem with my original Soveriegn. What's happening is the threshold hum is going beserk. It will go from a nomal sounding threshold to a low sounding deep buzz and then back to normal. At first I thought it was my battery so I went to the 8 AA pack, thought that fixed the problem but it did not. Thought it might be the coil so I switched coils, same problem. The problem started when I hooked up a SunRay meter, I'm pretty sure this is just coincidence and not the cause of the problem. I've got the control box off and just hooked up the coils straight to the box and I'm still having this problem, tried all different sens, settings and disc settings. The threshold seems fine until you pass a target over the coil, it detects the target fine, but after the target is not under the coil anymore that's when the threshold starts to go crazy, going from normal threshold tone to the low sounding deep buzz then back back and forth between the two. I'm really bummed out as I just got this detector a few weeks ago, then I bought a new 8" coil , SunRay meter and a new straight shaft mod with the SunRay meter mount. So now I'm in almost $600 for this outfit. Would sure appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Gary

[Sean_Goddard]

Take your head connector and CAREFULLY close up the contacts using a set of needle tweezers (the contacts look like thin fingers inside the holes).

These connectors ML use are junk, they are aware of the problem and charge you $80 to put a new one on. Problem is that they splay because of the poor quality metal used. ML never changed the design to solve the problem, but then they are masters of producing good electronics, but rubbish mechanicals.

You could ship the head to me in the UK and I'll sort it for free, but you'll haveto pay the return shipping, and it'll end up costing you just as much as sending back to the rip off original manufacturers.

[ash]

Sean. Which head connector is the one to go for,and where can i find a couple please.
I also have a similar problem with my GT. It was sounding off when i had the 14" Detech coil on.I then put on the 10 x 12 SEF coil. Problem gone. Took it out today,and after an hour,it started playing up again. It's just like there is an electric fence close by.
Any help would be great

[Eugene52]

Sean. Which head connector is the one to go for,and where can i find a couple please.
I also have a similar problem with my GT. It was sounding off when i had the 14" Detech coil on.I then put on the 10 x 12 SEF coil. Problem gone. Took it out today,and after an hour,it started playing up again. It's just like there is an electric fence close by.
Any help would be great

Here is a Great link , if not wait for Sean.................Cheers......Eugene52


http://www.universal-radio.com/CATAL...s/dinconn.html

[ash]

Thanks for the link Eugene. I'll have a look at that

[Sean_Goddard]

Hi Guys, it's none of those connectors which are used on the Sovereign, What you are looking for is these >> http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...s/micconn.html, and I'm not being funny here, but your soldering must be PERFECT !

Check for wire whiskers BEFORE you powerup or you WILL nuke the front end. The Sovereign is an H-Bridge output design, but not very robust. I've changed quite a few output transistors on these as they go POP for fun which is why you should NEVER plug a coil into ANY model of Sovereign which the power switched on. Likewise as faulty connector like you describe CAN and will lead to further problems if not addresses in good time, and from ML, that's a $250 repair!! The reason for the high cost is they ship ALL the US machines back to Ireland for repair.

I was going to post a YouTube link and show how this pair is done, but I refuse to help ANY detectorists but those on this forum now.

[kt315]

http://www.universal-radio.com/CATAL...s/micconn.html

[ash]

Hi Guys.
Many many thanks for the excellent info and help