My 1993 GA-52B (I think it's a B; it might be a C) has started acting strangely, giving a null signal rather than a high-pitched signal when over an iron monument. New batteries didn't alter the situation. Is this a sign of pending failure?
Could be the monument is the issue. If it continues on other things like your truck or something obvious, then yes. The null has found me a ton of corners though. Not all ring out.
I agree, the absence of sound has to mean something, too. Could it be that somehow the iron has reversed its magnetic pole?
It's not just one monument, it seems like it's been doing this for a couple of weeks now. I'll have to try it with some familiar monument types to see if the behavior is consistent, but it's definitely acting different than it has for the past 18 years.
Try cleaning the battery contacts with solvent and/or plug in headphones.
I use the headphones most of the time as it improves the performance.
My 1980 model needed an external speaker several years ago.
After installing a replacement, it regained its familiar tone.
Maybe The Poles Are Getting Ready To Swap
Or more likely a BIG CALI QUAKE is brewing.
Paul in PA
Maybe The Poles Are Getting Ready To Swap
If the poles swap, do you have to hold the machine upside down? 😉
If it's acting that way over everything, it sounds like it's having a definite problem. I had an old Schonstedt that was about ready for the dumpster but I sent it to that place that advertises (or did at that time) in POB and it came back in nearly perfect working order. I think they have a flat fee for whatever is wrong with the thing. It was the old style with the sweep knobs, which I like better than the newer ones with the different stops on the sensitivity knob. The only problem was that they put a round knob on the sensitivity pot so you can't tell by feel which one is volume and which one is sensitivity.
Maybe The Poles Are Getting Ready To Swap
Not to make fun of your frustrating situation,
but do they still have the sticker that says something about "uncontrollable screaming". Been there bro, been there.
Schonstedt itself will do a refurbish. I had my 1984 +/- locator done about 5 years ago and was pleased with the result (they even repainted it). I think it was around $300. Here's the repair link:
http://www.schonstedt.com/index.cfm?page=repair
Ideas
Your new batts were weak.
There is a bad connection, somewhere, in the power. Clean batt terminals, and inspect the power path with a multimeter.
Check the on off switch.
N
> My 1993 GA-52B (I think it's a B; it might be a C) has started acting strangely, giving a null signal rather than a high-pitched signal when over an iron monument. New batteries didn't alter the situation. Is this a sign of pending failure?
Jim,
I run into that about once ever 50 to 100 monuments found. It is a reverse polarity thing. You should get a strong ring in a circle with a 1 to 2 feet radius, depending on depth and the size(length and diameter) of the monument.
SJ