Minelab Equinox 800 - Lost in river. Does it float?

[AquaHunter]

Mite stick the head in some bags of rice,it would help drawing out moisture

My wife has successfully done that before with small electronic items that accidentally went into the clothes washer, like key fobs.

I'm thinking that I may be better off disassembling the head unit to be sure there is no water inside.

 

[Jski2011]

nice I happy/glad for you I wish and hope all works out and it works as it should let us know

 

[Princess]

I drove to a beaver dam about 1.3 miles downstream from where I lost my Equinox. I figured there would be no way my Equinox 800 could get through it. I walked upstream through the water and along the shore in places. After a little over 4 hours of searching I FOUND IT!!!!!!

It was on the bottom of the stream 5 feet under -- about 50 yards downstream from where I lost it. Today the water was about 1 foot lower than when I lost it on Sunday. That extra foot of water is why I didn't see it until today.

I came home soaking wet and very cold, but happy.

It looks to be in good shape, but I am not going to try turning it on until I can check to see if there is water inside the head unit. If its wet, powering it on could fry some circuits. Tonight I will do some research to find out how to take apart the head unit to get any water out.

I found a lot of stuff during the search. A small portion of what I found is shown in the attached photo. Also a photo of me, my recovered Equinox 800 and the pole I used for balance when walking over the wet and rocky stream bottom. On one end of the pole I had a powerful light in a watertight Ziploc bag taped onto the end of the pole.

I was amazed (and disgusted) by the amount of trash people toss into the stream. There was far too much for me to carry back to the truck. But I took it out of the stream and placed it along the shore. In the coming days I plan to bring a backpack and haul out as much as I can. (I will not need to go back in the water).

Below is a photo of me, my Equinox 800, and my balance pole after I got home. And the second photo is some of the stuff I found today and yesterday during my search. I will go back in the coming days to recover more of the finds. One is a large US Flag. I got it out of the stream and placed it on a large boulder to dry. I also found some large propane tanks, probably used by homeless people camped along the stream.

You must be thrilled to have found it! Let us know if you're able to get it up & running again.

 

[CountyWorker]

Cat litter works much better than rice for absorbing moisture.

 

[Wolf-Dog]

I drove to a beaver dam about 1.3 miles downstream from where I lost my Equinox. I figured there would be no way my Equinox 800 could get through it. I walked upstream through the water and along the shore in places. After a little over 4 hours of searching I FOUND IT!!!!!!

It was on the bottom of the stream 5 feet under -- about 50 yards downstream from where I lost it. Today the water was about 1 foot lower than when I lost it on Sunday. That extra foot of water is why I didn't see it until today.

I came home soaking wet and very cold, but happy.

It looks to be in good shape, but I am not going to try turning it on until I can check to see if there is water inside the head unit. If its wet, powering it on could fry some circuits. Tonight I will do some research to find out how to take apart the head unit to get any water out.

I found a lot of stuff during the search. A small portion of what I found is shown in the attached photo. Also a photo of me, my recovered Equinox 800 and the pole I used for balance when walking over the wet and rocky stream bottom. On one end of the pole I had a powerful light in a watertight Ziploc bag taped onto the end of the pole.

I was amazed (and disgusted) by the amount of trash people toss into the stream. There was far too much for me to carry back to the truck. But I took it out of the stream and placed it along the shore. In the coming days I plan to bring a backpack and haul out as much as I can. (I will not need to go back in the water).

Below is a photo of me, my Equinox 800, and my balance pole after I got home. And the second photo is some of the stuff I found today and yesterday during my search. I will go back in the coming days to recover more of the finds. One is a large US Flag. I got it out of the stream and placed it on a large boulder to dry. I also found some large propane tanks, probably used by homeless people camped along the stream.

Glad you found it! Hope it works just as good as it did before it went for a cruse!

 

[Diga]

I'm thinking that I may be better off disassembling the head unit to be sure there is no water inside.

First, it's amazing you found it! Congrats.

Second, you already know that it's probably flooded, so good call on opening it up and drying it out.

Third, the water gods penetrate everything, and they give a seeping probable chance of success at 10%.

Anyway, it sucks about the perceived lost, but wow, what an interesting metal detecting story! The only metal detecting story that could top it, is if you were looking for your lost Nox, and instead found another metal detector

 

[AquaHunter]

First, it's amazing you found it! Congrats.

Second, you already know that it's probably flooded, so good call on opening it up and drying it out.

Third, the water gods penetrate everything, and they give a seeping probable chance of success at 10%.

Anyway, it sucks about the perceived lost, but wow, what an interesting metal detecting story! The only metal detecting story that could top it, is if you were looking for your lost Nox, and instead found another metal detector

Thanks. If the metal detector I found today was another one I would really be shocked! But then I would need to continue searching for mine. And that water was cold! Sure glad that the one I found was my Equinox 800 and I won't have to go looking for it in that cold water again.

... I have been searching all over the internet and cannot find out how to take apart the head unit of an Equinox 800. Does anyone here know how to disassemble one? Or where I can find information about it? It looks like the only way is to somehow snap apart the case.

Here is an interesting find from today, a See's Candies Gift Card (its also shown in post #19, but very small). Unfortunately I when I checked the gift card balance it was $0.

I am now wondering if my Equinox 800 was on or off when it fell into the river? If it was on then the circuit board might not be repairable. But I will try no matter what because I can and have repaired many circuit boards with surface mount components. I have a digital microscope, a heat gun for removing/replacing multi-legged chips, a fine tipped soldering iron, and a multimeter. I am able to replace and resolder components the size of a small ant with the aid of my digital microscope (shown below). So even if the head unit is damaged there is a > 75% chance that I can diagnose the problem and repair it.

... I am going back out to the stream tomorrow to pick up those two propane cylinders and haul out as much trash as I can carry in my backpack and duffel bag. When I was in the water searching I placed the trash on the shore so I could easily retrieve it later. There were a few hundred pounds of trash! It will take numerous trips back and forth to my truck and may take me more than a day.

 

[Cherry Picker]

Good deal my friend. Let's hope the detector gods are smiling down when you go to turn it on.

 

[TorqueMaster]

Congrats on finding it, hope your success continues!

Somewhere here on friendly is directions on how to replace the battery on an Equinox, it was not terribly difficult as I recall. Once you get that far, maybe the rest will be obvious...

I'd be worried the battery is toast. The pcb etc maybe covered with silt. I'd definitely google how to proceed, but I think distilled water and isopropyl might be ways to clean it if you can't get to the boards without destroying/cracking the pod case open.... Good luck!

Oh, I just remembered -- I think Minelab will sell you a new pod, but they make you return an old one??? ...you may want to look into that before going too far breaking into this one!

 

[GKman]

Nice! I have had the equinox diving well beyond it's limits and it never leaked on me. If you are lucky it will turn right on..

 

[hoser]

Oh man that's great news. The fact you did some stream cleanup is good karma and I feel that machine suffered no ill affect. well done on finding your detector.

 

[Wolf-Dog]

Thanks. If the metal detector I found today was another one I would really be shocked! But then I would need to continue searching for mine. And that water was cold! Sure glad that the one I found was my Equinox 800 and I won't have to go looking for it in that cold water again.

... I have been searching all over the internet and cannot find out how to take apart the head unit of an Equinox 800. Does anyone here know how to disassemble one? Or where I can find information about it? It looks like the only way is to somehow snap apart the case.

Here is an interesting find from today, a See's Candies Gift Card (its also shown in post #19, but very small). Unfortunately I when I checked the gift card balance it was $0.

View attachment 574629

I am now wondering if my Equinox 800 was on or off when it fell into the river? If it was on then the circuit board might not be repairable. But I will try no matter what because I can and have repaired many circuit boards with surface mount components. I have a digital microscope, a heat gun for removing/replacing multi-legged chips, a fine tipped soldering iron, and a multimeter. I am able to replace and resolder components the size of a small ant with the aid of my digital microscope (shown below). So even if the head unit is damaged there is a > 75% chance that I can diagnose the problem and repair it.

View attachment 574630


... I am going back out to the stream tomorrow to pick up those two propane cylinders and haul out as much trash as I can carry in my backpack and duffel bag. When I was in the water searching I placed the trash on the shore so I could easily retrieve it later. There were a few hundred pounds of trash! It will take numerous trips back and forth to my truck and may take me more than a day.

Looks like you know your equipment & have a good setup! Good job on removing the trash from the water, too.

 

[KOB]

Sorry man , but now I'm more skeptical of your whole story. There have been quite a few good ones on here and are still good reads ! 1st , You have no idea if your Nox was turned on/off as you were hunting in the water ? Yeah right. Then , come to find out you are a computer repair God who has all the tools and knowledge to disect components as if you are a Best Buy Geek Squad team member. How convenient. My guess is your Nox will work just fine. Looks to not have a scratch on it...

 

[CountyWorker]

Sorry man , but now I'm more skeptical of your whole story. There have been quite a few good ones on here and are still good reads ! 1st , You have no idea if your Nox was turned on/off as you were hunting in the water ? Yeah right. Then , come to find out you are a computer repair God who has all the tools and knowledge to disect components as if you are a Best Buy Geek Squad team member. How convenient. My guess is your Nox will work just fine. Looks to not have a scratch on it...

 

[Xxray]

Sorry man , but now I'm more skeptical of your whole story. There have been quite a few good ones on here and are still good reads ! 1st , You have no idea if your Nox was turned on/off as you were hunting in the water ? Yeah right. Then , come to find out you are a computer repair God who has all the tools and knowledge to disect components as if you are a Best Buy Geek Squad team member. How convenient. My guess is your Nox will work just fine. Looks to not have a scratch on it...

Thats a bit harsh. Don't know why someone would be in the water with a detector with it off but there certainly could be a reason.
I have an electronics station just about like his, including the digital microscope, also a programmable digital soldering iron, and I am just self taught, been soldering and repairing stuff for decades, its really not something you need a college degree to do. I don't think a submerged detector would necessarily show signs of damage, these hardly look like rapids. Really should be a rule against calling BS like this unless there is clear and obvious proof, not just a suspicious mind and a tendancy to jump all over people on then slightest pretext [and yes, you have done it to me as well].

 

[Bioheat1969]

If you do have to crack it open and break any water tight seals, go to the auto parts store and get a tube of Right Stuff sealant, it cures in 10 minutes or so to reseal it.

 

[Compass]

Thats a bit harsh. Don't know why someone would be in the water with a detector with it off but there certainly could be a reason.
I have an electronics station just about like his, including the digital microscope, also a programmable digital soldering iron, and I am just self taught, been soldering and repairing stuff for decades, its really not something you need a college degree to do. I don't think a submerged detector would necessarily show signs of damage, these hardly look like rapids. Really should be a rule against calling BS like this unless there is clear and obvious proof, not just a suspicious mind and a tendancy to jump all over people on then slightest pretext [and yes, you have done it to me as well].

Maybe it was a bit harsh but I also found this story to be a little bizarre. I have met and hunted with KOB several times and he does speak his mind but is kinder and more generous than most of the pirates I have met. Sometimes nice people don't come across that way when they are posting. Even some of your posts come across as arrogant and condescending.

 

[KOB]

Thanks for the awesome comments guys ! Yeah , I do come off a bit harsh at times , but I do call it as I see it and on occasion I'm wrong. Will even admit when I'm wrong. Not many do that here. On the flip side I try to help many others out. I tend to be suspect by nature , and not afraid questioning things. Many prefer to stay quiet , go with the flow , that's their choice. I like Judge Judy. And 1 of her sayings is " If it doesn't make sense , it's not true". But of course there are some exceptions.

About 50 yards down stream and 5' down. Had to have been some force to move it that far along with dropping water levels as mentioned. This 800 looks pretty darn clean guys. Shafts not bent ? And we all know about those coil ears right ? Those would have snapped off immediately. Yup , I can pick out many things in a picture that others overlook.

I think since it's a new format , we should have a new section. Call it the "Tall Tales" section. Guaranteed entertainment as I could come up with some barn burning yarns !

 

[Tin Can Harry]

I wonder if you can take the body off the pole then stick into a bag with rice and do a partial (not too strong vacuum seal). Alternative give Minelab a call and see what they advise.

why would there be an Electric razor in the steam? I don’t think the homeless would have power…

 

[CountyWorker]

Thanks for the awesome comments guys ! Yeah , I do come off a bit harsh at times , but I do call it as I see it and on occasion I'm wrong. Will even admit when I'm wrong. Not many do that here. On the flip side I try to help many others out. I tend to be suspect by nature , and not afraid questioning things. Many prefer to stay quiet , go with the flow , that's their choice. I like Judge Judy. And 1 of her sayings is " If it doesn't make sense , it's not true". But of course there are some exceptions.

About 50 yards down stream and 5' down. Had to have been some force to move it that far along with dropping water levels as mentioned. This 800 looks pretty darn clean guys. Shafts not bent ? And we all know about those coil ears right ? Those would have snapped off immediately. Yup , I can pick out many things in a picture that others overlook.

I think since it's a new format , we should have a new section. Call it the "Tall Tales" section. Guaranteed entertainment as I could come up with some barn burning yarns !

KOB