DOC Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 As anyone who has an SDC2300 will tell you, 1 set of 4 batteries will not get you through the entire day. So you have to have an extra set of 4 batteries.The 6000 mAh batteries Rob is carrying are really good batteries they do give you extra life, but still not an entire days worth.The charger that Miinelab provides is adequate, but certainly nothing to write home about. It is very slow and only has a red CHARGING, and green CHARGED status indicator.So I went on the search for a different battery charger, one that would charge more, charge faster, and have a better indication of battery status.I found it. POWEREX, see picture. Charges 8 batteries has a really heavy duty charging adapter. Charges in about 30% of the time the Minelab supplied charger does.I tried to get a dealership for them so I could offer them cheaper, however, the dealer price is only about $8 less than you can find them online, so it isn't worth my effort to have money tied up in inventory.Cheapest I found was $81.99 at NEWEGG.com.If you find it cheaper somewhere else let us know. But this charger is worth the moeny. Has a great LCD indicator showing you the exact status of each battery.Make sure you get the one that charges C's and D's. There is one that charges A's and AAA, and they are less expensive but they look the same.I figure with this charger, and a small DC inverter, so you can use this charger in your car, you will be all set up.BCOT!Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridge Runner Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Thanks Doc for the heads up on a better charger. I'm going to look to see if it is a better price out there. Chuck Anders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvchris Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Good stuff, I use their 9 volts in my GBII! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin nuggethunting Posted November 26, 2014 Admin Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hey Doc, Great info. I just got back from a 5 day hunt out West with Keith "Lunk" S., and my partner. Keith and I spent most of our time swinging the new SDC's, while Dennis pounded it out with the GPX 5000. We scored over 40 nuggets to boot, so it was a good trip. That being said, I've been using the 6000mah batteries and they pretty much last all day if they are fully charged. The 5000 mah that come stock don't. Keith and I also noticed, or at least I did, that the Minelab stock batteries seen to reset the SDC (making it turn off and on) if bumped. I'm not getting this issue with the 6000's I'm selling for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkirkll Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 I got all i wanted out of the 5000mah today and yesterday---- 6000mah should be fine for most hunters, imorob--the resetting may mean they are a little shorter than some.and i got a deal on batteries at the PX --only $5.00 for 8 -C duracells----- so i like to take 4 along just in case the stock batteries die on me.... that way i dont have to buy another charger already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strick Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Keith and I also noticed, or at least I did, that the Minelab stock batteries seen to reset the SDC (making it turn off and on) if bumped. I'm not getting this issue with the 6000's I'm selling for some reason. That is good info. My machine will occasionally re set when bumped. I was thinkning that I may have to send it to Minelab for warranty work. I did buy a new set of batteries from you and ran it this weekend without any problems when being bumped. Thanksstrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Porter Posted November 27, 2014 Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 Rob, the Minelab batteries with the SDC have very small contacts which sometimes do not have a good connection if you travel over rough roads if you leave the batteries in due I think to a metal oxide dust forming when they are bumping around. Best bet is to take the batteries out and rub them with a cloth then reinserting them, works for me anyway.JP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin nuggethunting Posted November 28, 2014 Admin Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 Hey JP, Thanks for the info. That makes a lot of sense and did compare the contacts with the 6000's and noticed the contacts on the 5000's are smaller. I haven't had issues with the 6000's yet, but want to make sure we can figure out what is going on with the stock 5000's and you might have it figured out JP. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunk Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 There is a lot of play in the battery compartment, allowing a momentary break in contact when the detector is bumped; I just inserted a shim between the batteries to keep them from moving, and haven't had a problem since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin nuggethunting Posted November 30, 2014 Admin Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hey Lunk, Funny, I never had the issue, then it happened once on our hunt. Today it happened 4 times, so I shimmed it like you mentioned and it solved the problem the entire time. I think you hit the "nail on the head," as the battery compartment has too much play and allows the batteries to move around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~LARGO~ Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi all,Thanks you guys for the shimming solution! Gary/Largo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkirkll Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I still wonder if these batteries are a tad shorter than non rechargables----- i am going to get up and measure some right now.....OR are you saying they shift side to side causing the break in contact---??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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