Minelab EXPLORER II Service Manual Page 1

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIIMinelab Explorer II! ™"P0591-A4901-0047 Rev 1.3

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II4INTRODUCTION1www.minelab.comMINELAB’S UNIQUE TECHNOLOGYThe Explorer II is one of a new generation of detectors from Minelab.

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II94USER INFO7www.minelab.comQUICKSTART MENU STRUCTUREQUICKSTART MENU STRUCTURE

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II95USER INFO7ADVANCED MENU STRUCTUREADVANCED MENU STRUCTURE

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II96USER INFO7www.minelab.comTROUBLESHOOTINGDetector does not startat allDetector starts, but itswitches off by itself• Check the

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II97USER INFO7Today’s Date ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II98USER INFO7www.minelab.comDescription of Fault: ______________________________________________________________________________

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II99USER INFO7WARRANTYThere is a two-year parts and labour warranty for the electroniccontrol box of the Explorer II. The search

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II100USER INFO7www.minelab.comLength unextended 43 inches (1100mm)Length extended 55 inches (1358mm)Shipping weight 3 lb 7 oz (17

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II101USER INFO7EXPLORER II MODELCustom select discrimination YesSaved Discrim patterns 6Learn Function (accept/reject) YesEdit fu

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II102USER INFO7www.minelab.comGLOSSARY OF TERMSAdvanced mode The Explorer II’s advanced operating mode. Advanced modeprovides add

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II103USER INFO7Discrimination pattern A two-dimensional pattern made up of shaded and clear regionsof the Smartfind screen. Chara

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIINTRODUCTION15Advanced modeOnce you are familiar with the feel and functions of the detector, itis a simple matter to move into

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II104USER INFO7www.minelab.comGLOSSARY OF TERMSGLOSSARY OF TERMSIron Mask One of the Explorer II’s Smartfind displays. The Iron M

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II105USER INFO7GLOSSARY OF TERMSGLOSSARY OF TERMSSensitivity The detector’s level of response to a target in the presence ofgroun

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II106USER INFO7www.minelab.comtake careThe Explorer II is a high-quality electronic instrument, finely engineered andpackaged in

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II6INTRODUCTION1www.minelab.comFull Band Spectrum (FBS)When developing Full Band Spectrum (FBS) technology, Minelab’sscientists l

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIINTRODUCTION17!MINELAB’S UNIQUE TECHNOLOGYThe Full Band Spectrum (FBS) circuit automatically transmits 28frequencies simultaneo

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II8INTRODUCTION1www.minelab.com

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II9ASSEMBLY22AssemblyThis chapter provides details andinstructions on assembling andadjusting the Explorer II.

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II10ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comASSEMBLING THE DETECTORASSEMBLING THE DETECTORHandle assemblyShaft assemblySearch coilPlease follow t

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II11ASSEMBLY2Connecting the search coil to the lower shaftFigure 2.1–2.3 CAUTION DO NOT attempt to disconnect the coil cablewhe

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II12ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comSTEP 3 Check the orientation of the search coil and shaft ensuringthat the open side of the yoke face

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II13ASSEMBLY2THE SHAFT ASSEMBLYThe shaft assembly is made up of the upper and lower shafts connected by the shaftcamlock. The ass

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIIIwww.minelab.com© Minelab Electronics Pty LtdThis document contains proprietary information which is protected bycopyright. Ap

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II14ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comConnecting the shaft assembly to the handle assemblyFigure 2.6–2.9NOTE Shaft orientation: camlock is

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II15ASSEMBLY2CONNECTING THE SHAFT ASSEMBLYFigure 2.9 Adjusting the shaft and angle ofthe search coilFigure 2.8 Inserting shaft as

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II16ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comAdjusting the armrest assemblyFigure 2.10To adjust armrest:STEP 1 Loosen the screw in the center of t

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II17ASSEMBLY2Figure 2.11 Fitting buckle to armrest strapFigure 2.12 Fitting armrest strap to armrestFigure 2.13 Tightening armres

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II18ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comHEADPHONESFigure 2.14 Inserting headphoneAttaching headphonesFigure 2.14The use of headphones when tr

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II19ASSEMBLY2REPLACING AND FITTING THE SEARCH COILReplacing the search coilFigure 2.14–2.16CAUTION DO NOT attempt to remove the

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II20ASSEMBLY2www.minelab.comSTEP 4 (Figure 2.15) Gently pull the coil cable from inside theyoke/lower shaft.STEP 5 (Figure 2.16).

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II21BATTERIES33BatteriesThe Explorer II can be powered byalkaline batteries or a rechargeable NickelMetal Hydride (NiMH) battery

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II22BATTERIES3www.minelab.comRemoval of battery packFigure 3.1CAUTION Ensure that the detector is turned OFF beforeproceeding w

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II23BATTERIES3Recharging NiMH battery pack with the mains chargerFigure 3.3The Explorer II is provided with a sealed Nickel Metal

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIIIITABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION...

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II24BATTERIES3www.minelab.comMinelab’s battery chargers aresuitable for the Explorer NiMHbattery pack only. The batterychargers w

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II25BATTERIES3"Battery life indicationsFigure 3.4Visual indication – The battery life indicator appears on all of theExplore

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II26BATTERIES3www.minelab.com

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II274CONTROL PANEL4Control PanelIt is important to familiarize yourself withthe features of the Explorer II controlpanel. A few m

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II28CONTROL PANEL4www.minelab.comeasy referenceTHE CONTROL PANELAs the control panel provides user access to all Explorer II func

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II294CONTROL PANELPowerFigure 4.1The POWER button turns the Explorer II on and off and also allowsyou to specify operation in the

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II30CONTROL PANEL4www.minelab.comFigure 4.3 Menu buttonMENU AND BACK BUTTONSThe Menu and Back buttons are likely to be the most f

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II314CONTROL PANELNoise CancelFigure 4.5Pressing the NOISE CANCEL button automatically selects thequietest, most stable channel f

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II32CONTROL PANEL4www.minelab.comIron MaskFigure 4.7The IRON MASK shortcut button allows you to quickly switchbetween two detecti

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II334CONTROL PANEL!SHIFT BUTTONSThe six buttons at either side of the Explorer II display screen perform several functions.Menu i

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIIVwww.minelab.com5TABLE OF CONTENTScontentsQUICKSTART ...

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II34CONTROL PANEL4www.minelab.comCONTROL BUTTON FUNCTIONS ... INCLUDE?

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II35QUICKSTART55QuickstartHowever experienced you are at using ametal detector, it is important that youread this chapter to unde

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II36QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comGETTING STARTEDIntroducing QuickstartFigure 5.1When you first turn on the Explorer II, the Quicksta

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II37QUICKSTART5BEGINNER USETrying out the detectorFigure 5.2Don’t try this at home!If you attempt to begin detecting while you ar

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II38QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comeasy referenceQUICKSTART DISPLAYThe Quickstart display visually represents everything from target d

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II39QUICKSTART5QUICKSTART DISPLAYSensitivity level. The sensitivity bar andnumbers indicate how responsive the detector isto a ta

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II40QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comFigure 5.3 Smartfind display with presetCoins discrimination patternTwo-dimensional discriminationF

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II41QUICKSTART5• The horizontal dimension (or axis) rates the extent of theobject’s resemblance to ferrous characteristics.• The

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II42QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comIntroducing DiscrimDiscrim (an abbreviation of Discrimination) instructs the detectorto accept some

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II43QUICKSTART5THE IRON MASKTHE IRON MASKAdjusting the Iron MaskFigure 5.5Pressing the IRON MASK shortcut button on the control p

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIV6TABLE OF CONTENTScontentsADVANCED USE...

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II44QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comTHE IRON MASKOperating in Iron MaskFigure 5.6Pressing the IRON MASK shortcut button again will disp

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II45QUICKSTART5Digital displayFigure 5.7, 5.8When the Smartfind screen is displayed, pressing the DETECTshortcut button on the co

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II46QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comMODIFYING THE DISPLAYFigure 5.11 Quickstart’s Main MenuFull screen displayFigure 5.9, 5.10If you wi

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II47QUICKSTART5ADJUSTING SENSITIVITYSensitivity controlThe sensitivity bar indicates how responsive the detector is to atarget in

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II48QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comThreshold controlThe Explorer II usually emits a constant tone or threshold ‘hum’ inthe absence of

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II49QUICKSTART5AUDIO RESPONSEPitch of responseFigure 5.13Generally, a target that is highly conductive (e.g. a large silvercoin)

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II50QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comAUDIO MENUIntroduction to the Audio menuFigure 5.14Main Menu > AUDIOAs mentioned earlier in the

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II51QUICKSTART5Introducing VolumeFigure 5.15Main Menu > Audio > VOLUMEThe VOLUME screen of the Audio menu displays two slid

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II52QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comAUDIO: ADJUSTING THE VOLUMEGainFigure 5.16, 5.17Main Menu > Audio > Volume > GAIN (adjustm

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II53QUICKSTART5AUDIO: ADJUSTING THE TONEFigure 5.18 Tone menuAUDIO: ADJUSTING THE TONEIntroducing ToneFigure 5.18Main Menu >

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIVIwww.minelab.com7USER INFO...

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II54QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comAUDIO: ADJUSTING THE SOUNDSFigure 5.19 Sounds menuAUDIO: ADJUSTING THE SOUNDSIntroducing SoundsFigu

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II55QUICKSTART5AUDIO: ADJUSTING THE SOUNDSFerrousMain Menu > Audio > Sounds > FERROUSSelecting FERROUS adjusts the tone

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II56QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comTake some time to become familiar with how the Explorer IIresponds to various metal objects. This t

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II57QUICKSTART5PINPOINTING THE OBJECTIntroducing PinpointFigure 5.20. See also Pinpoint overview in Chapter 4: Control Panel, pag

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II58QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comFigure 5.21 Pinpointing the objectUsing PinpointFigure 5.21Once the Explorer II has found the appro

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II59QUICKSTART5"RECOVERING THE OBJECTFor this procedure you’ll need: a knife or trowel, a small spadeand a sheet of plastic.

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II60QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comSELECTING TARGETSSelect targets listFigure 5.22, 5.23As outlined earlier in this chapter, Quickstar

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II61QUICKSTART5easy referenceSELECTING TARGETSQuickstart’s SELECT menu lists eight object types typically encountered duringtreas

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II62QUICKSTART5www.minelab.comThis tutorial outlines how to instruct the Explorer II toaccept JEWELRY and reject bottle CROWNCAPS

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II63QUICKSTART5$ADVANCED MODE OPTIONMoving to Advanced modeFigure 5.28, 5.29Main Menu > Options > ADVANCEDPress the MENU sh

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIINTRODUCTION111IntroductionThe Explorer II is the mosttechnologically advanced detector everproduced.It is possible to start tr

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II64QUICKSTART5www.minelab.com

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II65ADVANCED USE66Advanced UseOnce you are comfortable with basicdetector use and Quickstart, it is time toinvestigate the more a

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II66ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comMany of Advanced Mode’s operational functions are accessedthrough the Main Menu. This guide is in

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II67ADVANCED USE6STARTING IN ADVANCED MODEBeginning Advanced useTo enter Advanced mode from Quickstart, press the MAIN MENUshortc

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II68ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comAdvanced mode has four display options – SMART,DIGITAL, LEARN and EDIT. The DETECT shortcut butto

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II69ADVANCED USE6easy referenceADVANCED MODE’S LEARN DISPLAYAccept target icon. Modifies discriminationpattern to accept a specif

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II70ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comLEARNING TARGETSAdvanced mode’s Learn option programs the Explorer II to recognize certain target

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II71ADVANCED USE6Figure 6.2 Advanced Mode’s Learn displayFigure 6.3 Accept all clears the screenThis tutorial shows you how to le

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II72ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comtutorial!LEARN’S TARGET SELECTION... continuedFigure 6.5 Adjusting size of learnt regionLEARN’S T

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II73ADVANCED USE6easy referenceADVANCED MODE’S EDIT DISPLAYTarget frame size. This allows you to select thesize of the framed are

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II2INTRODUCTION1www.minelab.comABOUT THIS MANUALThis manual is designed to introduce the detector’s features, give you step-by-st

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II74ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comFigure 6.7 Edit screen with target frameEDITING PATTERNSEdit makes it possible to customize an ex

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II75ADVANCED USE6PHASE 1: Preparing for editingSTEP 1 Choose SELECT from the Main Menu and press the topright shift button to CLE

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II76ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comPHASE 3: Rejecting the framed target areaSTEP 7 (Figure 6.11) To reject the area enclosed by the

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II77ADVANCED USE6ADVANCED MODE’S SELECT MENUAdvanced mode’s Select menuFigure 6.14Main Menu > SELECTThis section follows on fr

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II78ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comSaving targetsFigure 6.15Main Menu > Save > SAVE DISCRIM (S1–S6)The SAVE menu’s SAVE DISCRI

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II79ADVANCED USE6AUDIO MENUThe Audio menuFigure 6.16Main Menu > AUDIODetails on the Explorer II’s audio response, Audio menu,

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II80ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comOPTIONS MENUThe Options menuFigure 6.17Main Menu > OPTIONSChoosing OPTIONS from the Main Menu

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II81ADVANCED USE6NoiseFigure 6.18Main Menu > Options > NOISESometimes during detecting you may notice some interference int

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II82ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comIntroducing ResponseFigure 6.19Main Menu > Options > RESPONSEThe relationship between proxi

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II83ADVANCED USE6Audio 2This setting is similar to Audio 1, with the addition of somefiltering of the audio tone response. Audio

THE MINELAB EXPLORER IIINTRODUCTION13Contact MinelabThank you for purchasing a Minelab Explorer II detector. TheExplorer II is different to convention

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II84ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comIntroducing RecoveryFigure 6.20Main Menu > Options > RECOVERYThis menu allows you to modify

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II85ADVANCED USE6SETTINGS MENUIntroducing the Settings menuFigure 6.21Main Menu > Options > SETTINGSOnce you have selected

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II86ADVANCED USE6www.minelab.comGet into the habit.As mentioned earlier in thisManual, starting in factory presetdiscards all uns

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II87USER INFO77User InfoThis chapter provides a glossary ofterminology, user guides, technicalspecifications, warranty and repair

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II88USER INFO7www.minelab.comClearing saved patternsHELPFUL HINTSuser tipsIt is normal for the tip of the rechargeable battery to

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II89USER INFO7Make sure that you start with the Main Menu > Audio > Sounds >CONDUCT selected and the threshold level and

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II90USER INFO7www.minelab.comBATTERY PERFORMANCE COMPARISONSThe average life-span for both good quality alkaline and NiMH recharg

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II91USER INFO7USER PREFERENCESDetector modeSensitivity functionSensitivity valueThresholdDiscrimination functionIron Mask valueNo

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II92USER INFO7www.minelab.comUSER PREFERENCESDetector modeSensitivity functionSensitivity valueThresholdDiscrimination functionIr

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II93USER INFO7CONTROL PANEL BUTTON FUNCTIONSCONTROL PANEL BUTTON FUNCTIONSMAIN MENUQUICKSTARTMODEPINPOINTIRON MASKADVANCEDMODE