What batteries should I use for my metal detector?

Sometimes users are faced with the question of which batteries are best for a metal detector. Essentially, the best batteries are those that last the longest. But which ones will last a long time? Those with high capacityThis is where you should buy lithiumor batteries of the required type and format.

There's just one problem. The battery AAThe voltage could be 1.2 volts, which is 0.3 volts less. Therefore, the metal detector may simply not work.

A device such as the Garrett ACE 150 uses 4 elements of the type AAIf you read the instructions carefully, you'll see that 1.2-volt batteries are also suitable. Therefore, it's advisable to check whether the metal detector can operate with a lower-voltage battery before purchasing.

The type of power source must not affect the operation of the device!

Sometimes, cheap batteries perform just as well as regular ones. All parameters remain the same:

• Search depth.
• Discrimination.
• There are no anomalies or interference.

It is quite possible that voltage stabilizernormalizes the operation of the device.

Regular alkaline batteries last 60-90 minutes, while rechargeable batteries last 3-4 hours. Therefore, if you plan on doing long metal searches, it's best to take rechargeableBattery with a capacity of 2600 - 2700 mAh and above.

Types of batteries for metal detectors

Let's highlight four main types:

• Saline.
• Alkaline.
• Lithium.
• Battery-powered.

The last two types are considered the best, so they're the ones to use. If you're short on cash, consider alkaline batteries.

Battery and accumulator discharge chart

1.2 V is the minimum voltage during battery operation, after which rapid discharge occurs.

1.55 volts – initial battery charge.

1.35-1.45 is the starting charge of the battery.

Rechargeable batteries discharge quite quickly in subzero temperatures, so this factor should be taken into account when using them. Moisture also significantly impacts their performance. It's very dangerous if a metal detector falls into a stream or puddle. After this, first turn it off, then wipe it clean and dry it thoroughly.

Don't let your batteries drain completely. When the display shows the batteries are about to run out of charge, replace them with new ones immediately.

The best batteries for metal detectors are considered to be

• Eneloop, they are the same Panasonic– have low self-discharge and a capacity of 2000–2400 mAh. They can withstand multiple charge and discharge cycles.
• Ansmann - their capacityreaches 2850 mAh.
• GP – these are popular batteries with a capacity of 2500 – 2700 mAh.

You can also use energy storage devices from other companies, such as Varta, Camelion, Space, etc. In the end, the first option turns out to be the best of all those described. But be careful, you might come across a fake!

 

The main pros and cons of batteries for metal detectors

Let's highlight a few positive aspects

• Rechargeable multiple times.
• If you use them often, they will quickly pay for themselves.

Main disadvantages

Now let's talk about the disadvantages.

• High price.
• A charger is required, which also requires finances.
• Self-discharge occurs during long-term storage.
• If the battery has a small capacity, then one charge will last a short time.

The Pros of Metal Detector Batteries

Let's look at a couple of nuances related to batteries.

Positive qualities

• Cheap and accessible to everyone.
• They are sold in almost any store.
• They can be stored for several years without self-discharge, or it will occur, but only insignificantly.

Negative qualities

• They poison the environment if they are not handed over to specialized recycling collection points.
• There is no possibility to recharge.
• If you search frequently, batteries will cost more than rechargeable batteries, making them unprofitable.

Ultimately, if you use your metal detector a couple of times a year, batteries are the best solution. However, if you use the device monthly, or even several times, then rechargeable batteries are the better choice.

How can I make a metal detector work with any rechargeable battery?

To do this you will need:

• 2 miniature boards the size of a postage stamp.
• 2 controllers.
• Finance – about $1.
• A little time.
• Straight arms.
• A little bit of diligence!
• Kapton tape – for insulating the board inside the rod.

The main advantages of the installation

• You can connect any battery power source.
• Micro USB charging.
• It is possible to use a Power Bank.
• Miniature sizes.

The principle is simple! Get two controllers to charge and generate the required voltage for the metal detector. One setup is shown below. However, keep in mind that there are different types of boards, so you can make any battery for any metal detector.

Let's take it 18650 batteryWith a capacity of 2900 mAh. A charging controller used in lithium batteries costs about half a dollar on AliExpress. It has a 5-volt micro USB input, a 4.2-volt output, and a 1A current.

Such an electrical thing can be directly connected to 18650 batteryAs a result, we have a recharge controller and two connection options: a battery with its own controller and one without.

The next controller will be a step-up or DC-DC controller. The current source is 4.2 volts, but 12 volts is required. Cap-type boards without indicators are a good choice for this application. They cost around 30 rubles. The input voltage ranges from 2 to 24 volts, and the output can reach 28 volts.

As a result, 4.2 volts are supplied to the input, and using a variable resistor mounted on the board, I achieve 12 volts. As a result, the system works perfectly! We connect the 6 wires using a soldering iron and our hands!

The main difficulty is fitting this setup inside the rod. To create a charging port, you can cut a wooden plug the same diameter as the rod's inner hole. Then, cut a slit and insert controller #1 into it. Cover it with a rubber plug to protect it from moisture. Insulate the controller board with Kapton tape and enjoy!

 

Converting a metal detector to use an 18650 battery

This point is especially suitable for those whose metal detectors have a battery. 9 volt crown.

Here are the initial data:

1. The crown will last for a day, provided that the capacity is 500 mAh.
2. There are no high voltage batteries in the 6F22 format. capacity, so there's not much point in buying them. They're usually 200 mAh.
3. A fresh battery has a voltage of 10 volts, and a discharged one has a voltage of 7.2 volts. The battery voltage is 8.4.
4. A fully charged 18650 battery produces 4.2 volts and has a capacity of 3500 mAh. The metal detector requires two such batteries, which together produce 8.4 volts. This is sufficient for the device to function properly.

List of what is needed to design a good battery:

1. Nippers.
2. Shrunken Crown.
3. 18650 batteries – 2 pieces of the Panasonic NCR type. The price is around 400 rubles.
4. Plastic ties – needed to attach the metal detector battery to the rod.
5. Heat shrink tubing sells for $1-2, depending on the number of meters.
6. 1 hour of time.
7. Insulating tape.
8. Holders, or cells for installing batteries, cost about 50 rubles.

We'll be using a dummy 9V battery for this project. To do this, we'll remove all unnecessary parts. Attention: the battery must be fresh and without leaking electrolyte! Read about crown disassembly here!

So, we're left with the housing and contacts, to which we solder the wires. Remember that red should be the positive terminal and black the negative. This results in a hollow battery with protruding wires. When attempting to connect it to the metal detector, the contacts will be compressed. Therefore, place a thick rectangle cut from foam inside. Drill a hole inside it for the wires to pass through. Or simply cut it lengthwise and insert the wires into the gap.

Now all that remains is to solder the wires from 18650 batteryTo our decoy—the crown! Next, we secure our boxed setup to the rod with zip ties. After that, we connect the metal detector and see that it displays approximately 2/3 of the charge. This will result in a voltage of 8.29 volts, and your device can operate for a whole month on a single charge!

Therefore, metal detector batteries can be either standard or rechargeable. You can also make all sorts of adapters and devices for connecting other batteries. The choice is entirely up to you.