XP Goldmax Power fault

[gadusmorhua]

Last week my XP Goldmax Power started producing loud, false signals, then finally died.When I plugged my coil into two friends' machine it worked fine, but when I plugged their coils into my control box- nothing. As a result I sent the control box only back for a warranty repair, and was delighted when it was back within four days.A new circuit board has been fitted, but all is not well.The repairer suggested I set the machine in a vice, to keep it perfectly still, and set the sensitivity just above zero, and test the coil lead for faults.Even though the shed is 100m from my house, and therefore well away from any source of interference, the machine gave a warbling signal at regular, four second intervals.Moving the coil cable to search for breaks (as recommended) made no difference.The machine can't detect metal at all. I am going to test my coil with my friends' boxes (again!), and likewise my box with their coils, though I know what the result will be. The repairer is adamant that he needs the coil back , with the box, but I have a very strong feeling the original problem wasn't solved, and there is nothing wrong with my coil. It is all getting strangeley reminiscent of some car mechanics I've used in the past- what do you think?
Thanks, Gads.

[Gary uk]

Hi
Whenever you send a machine in for repair it should always be the box and coil together as it may need to be re calibrated by the repairer.
To quote "well away from any source of interference" you will never be far enough away from some types of interference..Minelab sovereigns used to pick it up from the military subs, so I would suggest you take a drive out and try it in the field....double check the batts are new and all in the right way...spin them in the pod to make sure there is a good connection (very common fault with Duracells from the market or cheap outlets) and it would be wise to aviod re chargeables for this excersise
I wish you all the best Gary

[gadusmorhua]

Thanks for the replies.I understand what you're saying about calibrating coils with their control boxes, and the need to eliminate any other faults, but it still puzzles me that I have plugged my coil into three other GMax machines and it works perfectly, whereas my box won't work with any other coil. I suppose I should have sent the coil with the box first time round, but I was so positive (and still am!) that the problem is in the box I didn't. A friend was advised his coil was defective when there was a loose wire on the lead socket, so I'm a little wary.

[Gary uk]

Yes it does sound suspicious

[U.K. Brian]

I ended up never sending coils back to Whites if I had tried my other sizes of coils with the detector and the fault still persisted.

Seemed if the coil was returned it was always needed replacing plus a repair in the control box.

[gadusmorhua]

Well, I have to admit I was wrong. My mates brought their machines around again and my control box is now fine with their coils, and my coil faulty on their boxes. Who would have thought both the circuit board and coil be faulty? I can't see any physical damage to the lead, or coil head, in fact it looks new, now that I took the cover off.Does a faulty lead mean a new coil? Gutted really, it has only on its fifth set of batteries, about 220 hours use. Can't see a coil being replaced under warranty, though it obviously wasn't fit for purpose.If it is new coil time, is it worth getting a bigger one?

[ramases]

Hiyer - if you bought the coil new and it is less than six months old - UK consumer law says it was faulty from day 1 and is the retailer's responsibility to replace it. Saw this today .... http://www.computeractive.co.uk/compute ... 388/rights - hope it helps.

[ramases]

Did you get your problem sorted?

[gadusmorhua]

Yes thank you, I've just got it back, ready for a session in the field tomorrow.The cable was broken near the plug, though strangely me and my mates were unable to find the fault in the field, despite playing around with the lead- as I said earlier you would have sworn the coil was fine.Apparently it is not unknown for there to be two seperate faults on a machine, and I've learnt my lesson- always send the coil with the machine, even if you are 'sure' the coil is fine.Maybe I should learn not to be so sceptical too! I tell you what though: I've a funny feeling my new circuit board is going to work wonders tomorrow....

[U.K. Brian]

One of the bigger dealers in France reported that he was getting a lot of returns with the Power, far more than with the Mk 1 Goldmaxx and more than with the T2.
Think they cut off his supplies of machines at that point ! Reminded me of Troy with his Shadows. You were not allowed to mention faults on the forum !