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Page 2 The Minelab Eureka Gold minelab eureka Gold instruction manual coNTeNTs 1. 2. 3. 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4. 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5. 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.9 Page introduction ............................................................................. 4 list of parts ............................................................................. 5 assembling the detector ....................................................... 6 Armrest/Upper Shaft Assembly ................................
Page 4 1. The Minelab Eureka Gold introduction Congratulations on purchasing Minelab’s Eureka Gold prospecting detector. The Eureka Gold can constantly and automatically adjust the Ground Balance to keep it at the correct setting. This will ensure that the detector is always operating to its optimum strength, reducing operator fatigue and allowing more ground to be covered in a day’s detecting.
Page 6 3. The Minelab Eureka Gold assembling the detector Please follow these instructions to assemble the Eureka Gold. Refer to the drawings to identify parts and how they are positioned. Please contact your Minelab dealer for further instructions should any difficulties arise. 3.1 Armrest/Upper Shaft Assembly a) Place the two armrest halves (4) on either side of the upper shaft (2) and ensure that the bolt hole is aligned.
Page 8 The Minelab Eureka Gold b) Firmly wind between 17 and 20 turns of the cable around the shaft until it reaches the control box. Note: Leave enough slack at the bottom of the cable near the coil to adjust the coil position without straining the coil cable. 8 c) Tighten the nylon wing nut on the armrest. d) Clip the control box onto the rear mounting bracket (see figure 5).
Page 10 The Minelab Eureka Gold 4.2 Note: Leave enough slack at the bottom of the cable near the coil to adjust the coil position without straining the coil cable. Figure 8 - Hipmounting the Control Box Installation of NiMH Battery Pack a) Ensure your NiMH pack is fully charged. b) Place the base of the battery pack at the rear of the battery compartment (A). Push the front edge of the battery pack into position (B).
Page 12 4.3 The Minelab Eureka Gold Low Battery Warning and NiMH Recharging When the batteries are reaching the point at which they will no longer operate, the Eureka Gold will emit a distinct sharp “pip” from the speaker, approximately every 30 seconds. Shortly after this, the threshold will increase to a loud continuous signal that cannot be reduced by the threshold control.
Page 14 The Minelab Eureka Gold Figure 13 - Volume Control (The maximum audio output (volume) can be limited) Therefore this control is a volume limiter. It is a useful feature when using headphones, as audio signals which would otherwise be uncomfortably loud can be limited while maintaining full response to small signals. 5.2 Threshold Control The Threshold Control is used to set the continuous audio ‘hum’ or ‘threshold’ level.
Page 16 5.4 The Minelab Eureka Gold Frequency Switch P0216-B The Eureka Gold has three operating frequencies: 6.4kHz, 20kHz and 60kHz. Usually 6.4kHz is better suited to larger, deeper gold nuggets while 60kHz is better for smaller nuggets near the surface. The 20kHz setting is best for general purpose detecting, or a happy medium between both these extremes. After changing the frequency setting, there will be a period of 2 seconds when the detector will not detect any targets.
Page 18 5.7.1 The Minelab Eureka Gold Discriminate Control Page 19 5.10 The Minelab Eureka Gold Coils The Discriminate control sets the sensitivity to ferrous objects. At the minimum setting small ferrous objects at shallow depths are less likely to be discriminated, while at the maximum setting these objects are more likely to be discriminated. Large ferrous objects should always be discriminated unless they are too deep.
Page 20 6. The Minelab Eureka Gold Quickstart operating instructions Page 21 6.1 Best Setup Positions a) Switch On the power with the Volume control. Gold field setting b) Set the Volume control to maximum. Signal: Frequency: Select: Threshold: Sensitivity: Volume: Balance: c) Set the Sensitivity control to maximum. d) Set the Threshold control so that the audio level is just audible. e) Set the Tone control to a pitch you find comfortable.
Page 22 7. The Minelab Eureka Gold detector sounds There are seven types of sounds that the detector will produce: Page 23 8. The Minelab Eureka Gold operating instructions – fundamentals The Eureka Gold is a motion detector and must be moving over a target to be able to detect it. If the coil is held still for a few seconds, any signals due to ground or targets will die away.
Page 24 The Minelab Eureka Gold f) The Volume control is generally turned to maximum. The setting does not affect the threshold level, but sets a limit on the loudest audio signal produced. Test the volume comfort level by passing a piece of metal over the coil. Adjust the Volume control to a comfortable level. g) Adjust the Tone control to a pitch to which your ears are most sensitive. This again allows you to have the threshold set to as low a level as possible.
Page 26 9. The Minelab Eureka Gold detecting Techniques For best results with the Eureka Gold, it is recommended that you learn some basic detecting techniques such as sweeping, pinpointing and digging targets. 9.1 Sweeping One of the most important detecting techniques, and perhaps one of the hardest to perfect, is the sweeping of the coil across the surface of the ground. The Eureka Gold is a motion detector which means that in order to detect a target the coil must be moving.
Page 28 The Minelab Eureka Gold The target could be anywhere along the length of the coil from head to toe. In order to pinpoint its exact location, it will be necessary for you to turn at a 90 degree angle and repeat the sweep across the target. Again take note of the point where the strongest signal is and draw another imaginary line in the ground. Where the two imaginary lines cross is where the target is located. Use the side of your boot to mark this location if necessary. 9.
Page 30 The Minelab Eureka Gold Page 31 10. discrimination 10.1 Discrimination of Iron Targets The Minelab Eureka Gold When the Discriminate switch is set in the Discriminate position, the Eureka Gold is able to discriminate between ferrous (iron) and non-ferrous targets (valuables). A unique feature of the discriminator is its ability to read the degree of ground interference during discrimination.
Page 32 The Minelab Eureka Gold If the detector is swept across the target more than once in ‘hot’ ground it is possible that the detector’s automatic features will adjust the balance to the target and not discriminate out a ferrous target on subsequent passes. This is normal behaviour for an automatic ground balance detector. Because of the different speeds of adjustment in the two ground tracking modes there will be a difference in the speed of this automatic adjustment.
Page 34 11.2 The Minelab Eureka Gold Clay Domes A common occurrence in nugget-bearing country is soil mineralisation commonly known as ‘clay domes’. These are regions of rather broad sound which could be confused with the sound which would come from a large deep nugget. The following procedure will quickly establish whether or not the sound comes from clay or a metal target: a) Pinpoint the target as best you can. b) Remove about 4 cm (1.5”) depth of soil from over the target response.
Page 36 12. The Minelab Eureka Gold The coil and skidplate Page 37 13. Over a long period of time the Coil Skidplate will wear if the ground is scrubbed continuously while searching. Minelab agents can supply a replaceable skidplate for the Coil. This can be fitted by removing the existing plate and pushing on the replacement skidplate (see Figure 21). Skidplates are inexpensive and it is recommended that you protect your coil by regularly replacing the skidplate.
Page 38 14. The Minelab Eureka Gold care of the eureka Gold detector The Eureka Gold is a high-quality electronic instrument, finely engineered and packaged in a durable housing. Proper care and maintenance will ensure long-term reliability of the detector. Please observe the following precautions: • Do not leave the alkaline batteries in the control box when the detector is not in use. Damage caused by leaking batteries can be severe and will void the warranty.
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Page 42 16. The Minelab Eureka Gold specifications Page 43 17. The Minelab Eureka Gold fcc compliance These specifications are subject to change without notice. length: Packed Operating weight: Control Box Complete Unit (excl batt) 740 g 2.2 kg Batteries: Recharge NiMH Batt Pack 12V, 1.2Ah ~ 20hr coil: 10” Double ‘D’ Elliptical with Skidplate frequency: Page 43 Balance: Ground search modes: (min) (max) 710 mm 1190 mm 1350 mm Transmission (sine wave) 6.
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