Nugget Prospecting Tool

Modification of a simple pulse induction underwater metal detector. I am an Attorney by trade, but a hobby diver and prospector in my spare time. I learned about “gold sniping” – which is where you go into a gold bearing river with a wetsuit and simple tools and look for small gold nuggets in cracks – and got excited about doing it. You can do a Youtube search for gold sniping and find tons of videos on it. I got all my dive gear ready and bought an inexpensive underwater metal detector (the PI 750 Underwater Metal Detector for Diving for $99). My thought was I did not want to pay for a more expensive underwater detector (cost averaging $1500 and up), so I bought a $99 inexpensive version with the intention of seeing if I could target just gold nuggets and avoid all the other metals. I liked the detector because it was small and easy to use. If it found an underwater target – it would vibrate and flash a light. The issue is that the detector has no way to discriminate what is being found, so picks up all metals (so you end up mostly digging up bottle caps, nails, lead fishing weights …). Additionally, it only picks up large gold signals – it does not pick up the small gold nugget targets I am seeking. So I began to look into modifying the detector so that it would only go off if it hit gold frequencies (i.e.: 18 kHz) and be able to pick up the small nuggets. I bought a 2nd detector in order to have one to cut open to take out the circuit and see what I could do to modify it. It is all sealed for underwater use, so it is not easy to get it all apart. More expensive detectors have the ability to discriminate – so it would seem like you would not have to reinvent the wheel. You would need to increase sensitivity (and possibly power) to target small gold and also limiting what the detector pings on. 
My Proposal would be: 
1) Cut open my provided detector in order to examine its electronics 
2) Modify the components to increase power/sensitivity and decrease its range of targets 
3) Create a prototype to use for testing I would be happy to mentor the project but I have no electronics or engineering background. I have the detectors and a target gold nugget. I would be willing to purchase any needed materials for the project. If the project was successful, I would like to develop the product for the prospecting market. Thank you for your consideration.

Objectives


1) Open up current detector to examine its circuitry 
2) Modify detector to increase power and sensitivity in order to detect small gold nuggets and decrease its range of targets 
3) Create a prototype to test

Motivations


Prospectors would use this product to reduce their impact on gold bearing streams by focusing and limiting where they are digging. This helps both the environment and reduces impact to fish and wildlife.

Qualifications


Minimum Qualifications:

Engineering Background

Preferred Qualifications:

Electrical Engineering Interest and Experience Interest in Metal Detecting and/or Prospecting


Details


Project Partner:

Ron Collins

NDA/IPA:

No Agreement Required

Number Groups:

1

Project Status:

Accepting Applicants

Keywords:
Electrical EngineeringProspectingUnderwater Electronic Products
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