Cen-Tech users..

[Ice Scratcher]

After some time (1000 holes or so) it seems that my buzzer/speaker is now broken in, in other words it acts more like a Garrett unit. As it nears metal, the pitch changes (low to high) and it gets louder... Mine seems to have better range also than it did when it was new. I think the noise maker is now reading the lighter signals that where there the whole time but never sounded on the POS buzzer lol....

I think I may have stumbled on something here.. I think the Cen-Tech units might work more like a Garrett if the voice/motor/light is capable of variable (this is a guess) voltages? I think whatever they use seems junky lol, mine is starting to work awesome as of late though...

Thanks to all the other guys about the mods for this pointer...
The blue box/screw pot, mod, that is very important IMO when running at 110F or 40F also. I think you can adjust it to fit the temp, these adjustments happen within a half turn of that screw..FWIW.. I have thought of drilling a hole on the outside of the case to access that screw, cover it with tape to keep out dirt.

My. $.02 On the hood rat pointer lol..

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[Ice Scratcher]

Duh..

I meant to ask if anyone else has found the same?

It could also be a slight drop on battery voltage that lets it run better?

Hmmm......

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[bruinvikes]

Hmmm, interesting

[Ice Scratcher]

Right..Who would have thunk!

I cannot video, but I'll bet I'm within 20 min of you Bruinvikes, I'll show ya if we ever cross paths..

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[HarveyH48]

The speaker has a tone generator built in. Should sound the same, if voltage is applied within it's operating range. It's basically just switched on or off through a transistor. I took mine out, replaced it with a pager motor. Prefer the vibration over the tone, so not to draw an audience while I hunt (more digging, less talking).

[Ice Scratcher]

Harvey,

Does your motor get faster with less distance to the metal, or is it always the same speed?

Thanks,

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[Finnerman]

I drilled a hole in mine early on and that works great.

[seanprodanas]

im on my second one, the button keeps breaking, for $15 i cant complain. my first one i used some online modification guilds and killed it,,,,, if you find the beep to loud a simple solution in 1 or 2 pieces of scotch tape over the speaker hole. it really makes a difference.

[upstatedigger]

Originally Posted by seanprodanas

im on my second one, the button keeps breaking, for $15 i cant complain. my first one i used some online modification guilds and killed it,,,,, if you find the beep to loud a simple solution in 1 or 2 pieces of scotch tape over the speaker hole. it really makes a difference.

you know you can just replace the button right.....like 3 bucks at radio shack. It even almost fist perfect!

[seanprodanas]

yea i havent been able to find one that fits in the stores around me.... besides my first one the wires broke in the sensor part from my nephews playing with it

[bruinvikes]

Originally Posted by Ice Scratcher

Right..Who would have thunk!

I cannot video, but I'll bet I'm within 20 min of you Bruinvikes, I'll show ya if we ever cross paths..

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Where are you located?

[Ice Scratcher]

Secor rd. just north of the border..

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[HarveyH48]

Originally Posted by Ice Scratcher

Harvey,

Does your motor get faster with less distance to the metal, or is it always the same speed?

Thanks,

<*)))>{

Nope, it's just switch on or off, no circuitry to vary the speed. I just put it in place of the beeper. Maybe someday I'll get around to it though.

The button can be replaced with any sort of switch. I changed mine to a little rocker switch, didn't care for holding the button in. I've been into electronics for many years, parts and projects all over the house, so wasn't a problem finding something to fit the case, and my need. Same with the pager motor, it was salvaged and just sitting in a box, but they are cheap, only a buck or so if you need to buy one. For $15, the Centech is a pretty good little tool, really easy to work on, low stress about destroying it, cheap and easy to replace, if something goes horribly wrong.

[durabostbay]

Originally Posted by Ice Scratcher

After some time (1000 holes or so) it seems that my buzzer/speaker is now broken in, in other words it acts more like a Garrett unit. As it nears metal, the pitch changes (low to high) and it gets louder...
<*)))>{

Mine does the same thing ever since I put a cord between the box and the wand.

[TZBassGuy]

please elaborate. Sounds interesting...

[durabostbay]

I did this. The directions can be found in the centech thread.

[coin chaser]

I have a motor in mine but the same thing happens some times. The closser i'am to the target the more it vibrates. It is completely random though when it happens and it only lasts for a hole or two then works normal. I also drilled the hole in mine and I carry a little screw driver with me so when i start in the cool mornings i can adjust it for the hot mid days on the fly. A little eye glass screw driver works great.

[machineman]

I found a mod to add a proximity circuit to mine. It works well. I have noticed that the buzzers do break in.

[machineman]

I modded mine with a extendable wand now.I used a 8 wire setup so I could put the light and switch on the wand. Now I just keep the control in my back pocket and the wand in my front. I need to add my proximity circuit to it now.

[MetalheadHorror]

YEA, I pretty much hotwired mine so its on all the time cuz those buttons are annoying and they break easy. Just disconnected the red and black from the button and soldered them together. Then I took the vibrator from my broken fisher pp and replaced the speaker with that. I also took out the junky battery connector and put in a more heavy duty plastic one. While it was opened up I also superglued the !!!! around the probe because my last one broke at the bolt on the inside of where the probe is connected to the housing. Thing works great and is durable as hell now!!