Detecting Doodads
  • Store
  • COLORS
  • About
  • Contact
  • ViDEOS
  • Product Ideas
  • Links
  • Blog

DooDaddy's Blog

Thank you for visiting Detectingdoodads blog.
We are continually improving and introducing new products, posting special sales offers, announcing contests for free doodads ect.
 This is the place to keep up with the latest happenings here at detectingdoodads.

For Inquiries Click here

Improved XP DEUS coil charger

12/30/2016

17 Comments

 
The XP Deus is a fantastic machine. However several of the physical design features could be improved.
The one I am tackling with this product development is the coil charging clip.  I am on my third factory clip.
The little contact pins break, or the plastic spring breaks. 
Picture
The clip is positioned on the coil by just a few points, not solid surfaces. This allows too much misalignment as you install the clip onto the coil. Misaligning it means you need to open the clip jaws beyond the limit of the plastic spring so it breaks. Now you find yourself wrapping rubber bands around the clip jaws, or other makeshift fixes.
Pushing down to make contact between the pins and the contact pads on the coil while misaligned will cause the spring pins to bend and or break.
If that happens, you will be out of luck. That's why most of us have two of these clips at all times.
They break, and usually at the most inopportune time.
Besides the breakage issues, I do not like where the USB plug is located. I find it is not the most convenient position. And since the clip jaws lock onto the bottom of the coil, the clip protrudes on the bottom. Many times I get it on the coil and charging, only to have it pop off when I set the coil down.
Picture
So to make a better clip, the design should incorporate the following features.
1. Eliminate the plastic spring.
2. Eliminate the spring pins.
3. Locate the clip to the coil using as many surfaces (not points) as possible so it fits       snug with no rocking.
4. Clip should not protrude below the bottom of the coil.
5. Move the USB port to be more accessible.
6. Beef the body up to make it generally less prone to breakage.

So I started by modeling up the section of coil this clip must fit.

Now I simply design a clip that fits the exact dimensions of every surface of the coil where needed.

Picture
It fits very snug. But for extra clip retention, I added a nylon thumb screw.
Now to find a replacement for the spring pins.  I tested larger spring pins but the first one simply fell out of its socket and the spring bounced out to freedom. The contact pads on the coil are only 3/16" apart. This limits the size of the mating contacts in the clip. After searching long and hard I found these cool gold plated nickel leaf spring contact modules. Leaf springs are single components that are very tough and forgiving.  This works really well.
The other component is the Mini USB socket. I found these nice break-out-board mounted units that give me good mounting and solder points.
Model those components, design them into the bottom half of the clip, split the assembly so I can put the two electronic components in and solder them together.  3D print the clip body, assembly and test it out.

Picture
Picture
Picture
It works great.  It fits snug enough that the thumb screw is not needed. 
It is rock solid on the coil without any rocking around.  This is due to the many surfaces the clip references on.
Picture
I ordered some more components to build a few more. I will continue to test this design out.
​ My goal is for this to be the best and only Deus charging clip you will every need to buy again.
Picture
17 Comments
Donny Pesce
12/30/2016 07:36:45 pm

Let me know when you are ready to sell.... Thanks

Reply
Brett DeCesari
12/30/2016 11:14:21 pm

Great idea,selling ?

Reply
wireless charging galaxy s5 link
2/19/2020 01:23:11 am

There are a few options available to keep up the charge of the battery for an entire day, but they all somehow require a wired connection to the phone or to the wireless charging pad

Reply
Kevin strahan
12/31/2016 03:15:05 pm

You know we have to field test these first!

Reply
Stefan Nagy
12/31/2016 04:32:13 pm

Would be a very welcome upgrade

Reply
Jason Jarnagin
1/1/2017 01:57:15 pm

Would love to purchase one.

Reply
Mike Owens
1/5/2017 09:20:45 am

Count me in for one!

Reply
Kelley Rea
1/19/2017 05:55:56 pm

Awesome Idea Don! It works very well!!

Reply
Douglas "Rick" Hervey
1/21/2017 08:09:22 am

Reply
Douglas "Rick" Hervey
1/21/2017 08:10:04 am

I'm glad to see this! I've already broken one and have trouble with the second one. Please count me in! I'll be glad to help test it out, Just send me a prototype. I'm also interested in some of your other products but I'm waiting for the clip before I place an order.

Reply
Don
1/21/2017 11:10:03 am

The clip is in the web store now.
From front page click on Accessories for XP DEUS.

Thanks,
Don

Reply
Larry C Roberts, MD
3/2/2017 06:47:36 am

Save one for me!

Reply
Igor
3/28/2017 01:08:55 am

What are the impressions of the first owners? Can you say something?

Reply
Kelley Rea
3/28/2017 06:28:16 am

I have had mine for about 2 months and use it a few times a week, not one problem! I love it !

Reply
Paul
3/28/2017 12:53:34 pm

Are you still making these as I really don't want to buy another xp clip I am on my third.

Reply
Doodaddy
3/28/2017 06:30:57 pm

Yes they are available. Hit the store button at the top of this page and then click on XP Deus accessories.

Reply
iphone charger link
2/11/2018 11:56:43 pm

I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Don Botting
    Don has been an avid metal detectorist for the last 12 years and a techno-geek for the last 30 years. Combining his engineering, design and manufacturing skills with his passion for metal detecting has resulted in useful products he can now make for you to use and enjoy as well.

    Archives

    August 2020
    October 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2016
    October 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Fisher
    Garrett
    Metal Detecting Accessories
    Metal Detector Camera Mount
    Minelab
    Pinpointer Tether
    Pro Find Tether
    Pro-Pointer Tether
    Tecknetics
    Tesoro
    Whites

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly