Minelab Eureka Gold User manual

The Minelab
Eureka Gold
INSTRUCTIONMANUAL
MINELA
B

WARNING
THISDOCUMENTCONTAINS
MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTYLTD
LIMITEDRIGHTSTECHNICALDATA, OR
RESTRICTED RIGHTS DATA, OR BOTH.
© Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd
This work is copyright. Apart from any use
as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968,
no part may be reproduced by any process
without written permission from
Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd,
118HaywardAvenue,
Torrensville SA 5031,Australia.
4901-0046-1.1 January 2003

Minelab Eureka Gold
Instruction Manual
CONTENTS
Page
1. Introduction.............................................................................4
2. List of Parts .............................................................................5
3. Assembling the Detector .......................................................6
3.1 Armrest/Upper Shaft Assembly .................................................6
3.2 Lower Shaft Assembly ..............................................................6
3.3 Completing the ShaftAssembly ................................................7
3.4 Shaft Mount ...............................................................................7
3.5 Rear Shaft Mount ......................................................................8
3.6 Hipmounting/Chestmount .........................................................9
4. Batteries ................................................................................10
4.1 Installationof NiMH Battery Pack ............................................10
4.2 InstallationofAlkaline Batteries ............................................... 11
4.3 Low Battery Warningand NiMH Recharging.............................12
4.4 Usingyour NiMH Chargers........................................................12
5. The Eureka Gold Controls ..................................................13
5.1 Volume Control........................................................................13
5.2 Threshold Control ..................................................................13
5.3 Sensitivity Control ..................................................................15
5.4 Frequency Switch ...................................................................16
5.5 Signal Switch ..........................................................................16
5.6 Balance Switch .......................................................................17
5.7 Mode Switch ...........................................................................17
5.8 Tone...........................................................................................18
5.9 Headphones..............................................................................18
5.9 Coils..........................................................................................19
The Minelab Eureka GoldPage 2

Page 4 The Minelab Eureka Gold
6. Quickstart Operating Instructions......................................20
6.1 BestSetup Positions.................................................................21
7. Detector Sounds ..................................................................22
8. Operating Instructions - Fundamentals .............................23
8.1 Operatingthe Eureka Gold........................................................23
8.2 GroundBalance.........................................................................24
9. Detecting Techniques..........................................................25
9.1 Sweeping...................................................................................26
9.2 PinpointingtheTarget................................................................27
9.3 DiggingtheTarget......................................................................28
9.4 AutomaticGround Balancing.....................................................29
10. Discrimination .......................................................................31
10.1 Discrimination of Iron Targerts ...............................................31
10.2 Discriminating in ‘Hot’ Ground ................................................31
10.1 Discriminating within Holes....................................................32
11. Prospecting Tips ..................................................................33
11.1 Mineralisationand ‘Hot’ Rocks ................................................33
11.2 Clay Domes ............................................................................34
11.3 Charcoal .................................................................................34
11.4 Gold Lore ................................................................................35
12. The Coil and Skidplate.........................................................36
13. Environmental Concerns.....................................................37
14. Care of the Detector ............................................................38
14.1 Trouble-shooting Guide ...........................................................40
15. Warranty and Service ...........................................................41
16. Specifications .......................................................................42
17. FCC Compliance and EC Conformity Notes ......................43
18. Minelab Service Repair Form .............................................44

Page 5 The Minelab Eureka Gold
1. 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.
For sensitivity to a wide range of targets, the Eureka Gold has a choice of
three operating frequencies:
•6.4 kHz
•20 kHz
•60 kHz
Further refinements include target detection with pitch variation, better
signal-to-noise ratio in the electronics, and a 10” (25cm) Elliptical
Double ‘D’ coil as standard equipment.
This manual has been arranged with QuickStart instruction for
inexperienced users. More detailed notes about assembling the detector,
how its controls work and methods of detecting are also included and well
worth reading by all operators.
As always at Minelab Electronics, we strive to provide you with the best
metal detection equipment possible. With that in mind we present the
Eureka Gold - the best continuous wave prospecting detector available
today.
If you have any questions or comments we would like to hear from you.
Please contact your local authorised Minelab Dealer or write to us direct.
Since there may be a range of options available in this detector
type, equipment may vary according to the model or country of
issue. Certain descriptions and illustrations may differ (in this
manual) from the exact model that you have purchased. In
addition, Minelab reserve the right to respond to ongoing
technical progress by introducing changes in design, equipment
and technical features at any time.
We wish you every success in your prospecting and treasure hunting.

Page 6 The Minelab Eureka Gold
2. List of Parts
The box in which the Eureka Gold is shipped should contain the following
items. When you first receive your Eureka Gold check that all these items
are in the box:
•Eureka Gold Control Box
•10” (25cm) Elliptical Coil with Skidplate attached
•2-Piece Shaft Assembly including fibreglass lower shaft
•Aluminium 2-Piece Armrest (including nuts and bolts)
•Control Box Rear-mounting Bracket
•NiMHBatteryPack
•MainspowerNiMH Battery Charger
•NeopreneArmrest Cover
•2 Piece Armrest Strap
•Velcro Straps (2)
•Teardrop Washers
•Warranty Card
•UserManual
•Detector Stand
Pleaseentertherequireddetailsonyourwarrantycardandmailit toMinelab
ElectronicsPty Ltd. It is extremely importantthatwe receive your warranty
card within 14 days of date of purchase to register your new detector on
ourwarrantyfile.
The following accessories are also available to further improve your
detector:
• 12vNiMHBatteryVehicleCharger
• 11” Round Double ‘D’ Coil
• 15” Spider Double ‘D’Coil
• Hipmount Bag
• AlkalineBatterypack
• Padded Cordura Detector Transport Bag
• MinelabCap
• MinelabPoloshirt
• MinelabJacket

Page 7 The Minelab Eureka Gold
3. 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.
b) Slide the nylon bolts through the bolt holes
and screw the nylon wing nuts (12) onto
the bolts with a couple of turns (do not
tighten).
c) Slide the detector stand (7) into the
runners of the armrest (4) and tighten the nylon wing nuts by hand.
d) Attach the armrest straps (6) using the press studs on both sides of
the armrest.
e) Push the armrest straps through the slots in the armrest cover (5) and
push the cover over the armrest.
3.2 Lower Shaft Assembly
a) Remove the tape on the lower fibreglass tube
(3) that is holding the black teardrop washers
(10) in place.
Note: Ensure the washers do not fall out after
removing the tape.
b) Remove the black nylon wing nut (12), and
bolt (11) from the coil (9).
Figure 2 -Armrest/Upper
Shaft Assembly
6
4
12
57
11
2
4
6
P0570-A
Figure 3 - The Coil and
Lower Shaft Assembly
10
9
11
P0588-A
19
3
12

Page 8 The Minelab Eureka Gold
c) With the teardrop washers in place, push the lower tube (3) into the
coil bracket so that the holes line up.
Note: Ensure that the black nylon spring clip near the top of the fibreglass
tube is pointing toward the rear of the coil.
d) Push the black nylon bolt (11) through the holes in the bracket on the
coil from the cable entry side, put on the spacer (19) and tighten the
wing nut (12) by hand.
3.3 Completing the Shaft Assembly
a) Slide the lower shaft assembly (3) into theAluminium upper shaft (2).
Note: The black plastic locking nut (18) may need to be loosened to
position the lower shaft assembly correctly.
b) Set the length of the shaft by locking the black nylon spring clip
into one of the holes provided, then tighten the plastic locking nut.
3.4 Shaft Mount
a)Positionthe control box sothattherecessinthe control box (1)isaligned
with the leading edge of the mounting clip (8). Push the
forward section of the control box upwards until the trigger ‘clicks’
indicating the control box is secured (see figure 5).
Figure 4 - Completing the ShaftAssembly
2
18
1
4
8
3
9
13
P0585-A

Page 9 The Minelab Eureka Gold
c) Connect the coil connector (13) to the plug on the rear of the control
box (14).
d) Use VelcroTM tabs to secure cable in the
correct position on the shaft maintaining
slack at coil and control box.
Note: Weather Protection - The hipmount
bag is designed so that it can be used to
weatherproof your control box while detecting in
inclement weather. The new design allows the
hipmount bag to protect the control box while still on the shaft. The
control box is positioned into the hipmount bag with the slot for the
mounting bracket positioned at the back. The velcroed panel is then
wrapped across the top of the stem. The hipmount bag is available from
your supplier as an accessory item.
3.5 Rear Shaft Mount
The Eureka Gold provides the option of mounting
the control box at the rear of the shaft (2),
beneath the armrest.
In order to mount the control box (1) in this
position:
a) Loosen the nylon wing nut from the armrest
and remove the detector stand.
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.
Figure5 -Mounting the
Control Box on the Shaft
Figure6 -Mounting the
Control Box to the Rear
ofthe Shaft
8
2
1
P0573-A
P0572-A
13
8
14

Page 10 The Minelab Eureka Gold
e) Firmly wind the cable up the stem using the VelcroTM tabs to hold in
position.
f) Connectthecoilconnector (13) to the plug (14) on therearofthe control
box.
d) Clip the control box onto the rear mounting bracket (see figure 5).
b) Slide in the black plastic rear control box bracket (8).
c) Tighten the nylon wing nut on the armrest.
3.6 Hipmounting/Chestmount
Hipmounting is an alternative to mounting the detector on the shaft and
significantly reduces physical strain, enabling longer search time without
undue fatigue. A hipmount bag is available as an accessory item
for this purpose.
a) Check that there are charged batteries in the control box.
b) Place the control box into the hipmount bag with its control panel
facing outwards (see figure 7).
c) Place the hipmount bag in your preferred
working configuration. The hipmount bag can
be worn on the belt or over the shoulder.
Note: If mounting the hipmount bag on the chest,
a belt can be thread through the belt loop and
around the chest to hold the bag in position.
d) Wind about 5 turns of the cable around the
shaft. This will reduce the amount of excess
cable.
Figure7- Hipmounting
theControl Box
P0582-A