Metal detectors - Minelab Explorer XS, II and SE
Repositioning a Headphone Socket, Sealing the Search Coils
3) The problem with a small (1/8 inch) headphone socket of Explorer XS would start within the first year of intense metal detecting and transpire itself in a loose position of headphone jack. During metal detecting process, either the headphone cable would put the pressure on it or the rocks and roots would hit the headphone jack when the detector was placed on the rough surface (a detector stand was not available on Explorer XS). That would lead to the frequent interruptions in the target's signal reception.
Such interruptions would be also caused by the weak headphones cable which would start losing its connection after two months of usage. Short life and replacement of headphones was another major problem of Explorer XS. To eliminate those problems before they would arise, I came up with a simple idea: instead of using a 1/8 inch socket located at the end of handle assembly, I would use a stronger 1/4 inch headphone socket placed on the armrest, at convenient angle. At that time, I already had a set of Koss headphones with a 1/4 inch jack.
For the Explorer XS modification, I purchased an adaptor, 1'-long cable with a 1/8 inch headphone jack on one end, a 1/4 inch socket on another, and a volume control in between. I ran the cable around the armrest and secured the headphone socket onto one outer side of the armrest.
For the Explorer II modification, I used a 2'-long extention cable (the shortest one I could find), with 1/4 inch jack on one end and 1/4 inch socket on another. Before I secured the cable with zip ties on right outer side of the armrest, I made sure that I could pull the headphone jack in and out of socket easily. With a tip of a screwdriver heated over the gas flame, I made four holes for zip ties in right outer side of the armrest. Then I had to wind the excess of cable around the handle assembly.
Extention Cable Runs On One Side Of the Armrest of Explorer II
On the left outer side of the armrest, I made three holes for zip ties and set up the headphone socket on a cushion in the upright position.
4) Within the first year of using Minelab Explorer, I started noticing short false signals while swinging the search coil in the air. No matter what program settings I was using, the false signals would not disappear. The puzzle was solved easily when I finally detached the coil cover to clean it inside. As a substantial amount of dirt, sand, and small rock fragments came out, not only the coil became lighter but also the false signals disappeared. The dirt that got inside, between the search coil and coil cover, through the gap consisted of mineralized soil and caused the false signals.
Prior to that discovery, I used either duct tape or electrical tape to prevent the coil cover from falling off. Now, to seal the gap and keep the coil cover secured, I used the silicone sealant. Its flexibility and good grip provided the best solution. The outdoors silicone sealant, both clear and in different colors, is sold in any hardware store.
Silicone Sealant
Clear Silicone Sealant On Standard Minelab 10.5" Search Coil
Brown Color Silicone Sealant On Minelab 7-1/4" Search Coil
You can find all the Search Program settings for Minelab Explorer XS, II and SE on "My Program for Explorers" page, and for White's Spectrum XLT e-series - on "My Program for XLT" page.
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