Minelab Equinox 600 Error code 41

Hi Guys,

My Minelab equinox 600 after 3 days of usage have error code 41 and have stopped working.
Symptoms just before error occurred was
1. Suddenly the machine encounters lots of emi interference.
I tried to remedy by doing noise cancel and ground balance plus reducing the sensitivity to 10.
2. Machine suddenly changed settings it went from 50 tones to 5 tones. I was in beach 1 mode. During this time I could still detect two coins.
3. Machine suddenly turned off. I tried to do full reset and reconnect coil. But it shows error code 41 and switched off. I assumed it was battery issue.
4. Went home charged the battery but still have error code 41 and switched off after a few seconds.
5. Now machine when started just shows error code 41 and switches off.
Time from erratic behavior of emi interference to error code 41 within 5 mins.

Will be sending back to dealer to get it fixed.


Regards
Francis

Sorry to hear this. I recommend contacting Minelab and insisting that a return label be sent and a replacement using shipped as soon as they can verify the faulty unit has been sent out via the tracking. This seems to be about the 3rd report I have seen in the last 24 hours about the EQ just dying.

Ok will try this if I can figure out where to find their contact on their support page.

Ok have sent Minelab a message through their contact page asking for the return label. Awaiting their reply. Thanks

Keith Leppert at Fort Bedford Metal Detectors has a Minelab repair facility in Alum Bank, PA. You might try contacting him.

Wayne

It will be interesting once the water headphones come out.
But I do expect a few to act up.

Thanks for the info, haven't heard from Minelab customer care yet.

Sending second message to minelab contact us page.
Hi Minelab,

This is my second message to you.
I have a error code 41 on my minelab equinox 600.
It had stopped working after 3 days.
Please advise on my course of action.

Regards

Francis Wong



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/03/2018 07:25AM by palangsi.

Update

Minelab asks me to send the equinox 600 directly to service centre.

Update
Minelab asks me to send equinox 600 directly to service centre.

Do you mean the one in PA that does ML warranty repairs?

Rick Kempf
Gold Canyon AZ- where there is no gold

No, Australia.

palangsi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, Australia.
Ouch $$$

Update

I tried sending the unit but couldn't because the postal companies will not send anything that had lithium ion batteries and is for repair. Asked for instruction from minelab. They asked to remove battery and send together with the coil.
Upon opening opening the battery compartment, noticed there was a few drops of water inside the compartment and bottom of battery. Wiped off the battery. Don't seem to be any damage to battery. Battery reads 4.13 volts across the red to black wire. No voltage seen on yellow wire.
I have previously tried to wade waist deep with the equinox. It seems I would have to waterproof the compartment by silicone to ensure there is no water ingress. The battery cover has two o rings on it. Seems it is not enough.

Update
Repaired control pod returned on 18 April 2018.
Came back with a different serial number.
Previously when I opened the battery compartment there was water inside.
Now I will be putting some silicone on the o rings before closing the compartment just to be safe.
The only charges incurred was postage to the service centre.

palangsi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Update
> Repaired control pod returned on 18 April 2018.
> Came back with a different serial number.

Yikes!

Hope this isn't a big issue when people begin submerging them for periods of time.

Glad I haven't ordered a 600 yet. I think I'll wait for a while.

The "only charge" you had to pay was shipping to Australia? For a detector you had three days?

In my book that's pizz poor customer service.

palangsi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, Australia.

Francis,
What country are you located in?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2018 11:46PM by Mike in CO.

Minelab made YOU pay shipping to repair a 3 day old detector??? Wow.

Forget my Equinox 600 order. I’ll wait for the Nokta Anfibio to be released.

Did you contact your dealer for a replacement ? Thanks Richard



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2018 05:07AM by RichardnTn.

I did contact the person who sold it to me on ebay. He told me to send to dealer. I contacted Minelab and they told me to send it to Australia as I live in Singapore.
I did face problems when sending the package as they don't send things that have lithium ion batteries and are also for repair.

I contacted Minelab and they told me to remove the battery before sending the control pod and coil. That's when I noticed water in the battery compartment.

Update

I submerged my Equinox control box for the first time since having it back from repair.
Before trying to submerge it. I checked the seals of the battery compartment and put silicone grease on them.

I went wading for about one hour. I went up to chest height. It worked fine.

After I came out, about five mins later it developed noisy interference like EMI.
I tried noise cancel, but it didn't stop.
I tried to restart the machine, it then displays error code 61.
I restarted and it just shows CD on the screen which means check coil connection.
I checked the coil but it just keeps displaying that message and shuts down after a few seconds.
No water was present in the coil connector.

I went home and discovered that there was water in the screen.
There was also water in the battery compartment. Battery is soaked.
Battery is being dried now.
I am sending the control box minus the battery back to Minelab Australia service centre again.
It's less than one month after I got it back from the service centre.
I got it back on 18 April, today is 15 May.

Regards

Francis Wong

I suspect this will be a gigantic red flag to Minelab
"Before trying to submerge it. I checked the seals of the battery compartment and put silicone grease on them. "

Good luck!!

I agree why play in the battery compartment of a detector that still has warranty seems foolish.
Also Minelab says with the CTX to not use grease but yet there are people out there thinking they know better.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2018 04:56PM by GreenMeanie.

i say this is fake news

Waterproof metal detectors are great, but its also their weak point.....CTX, AT Pro, AT Gold, Mx Sport....they have all had problems leaking when they first came out.

Ok just got the Equinox 600 back. I am not going to submerge it for another month. Just wading for now.
I don't want to return it to the service department until I get to use it more.

Regards
Francis Wong