Version 2.10 Changes:
1) Bug Correction.
2) New feature (non-documented).
Motion Filter modification.
3) New feature (non-documented).
Turn-ON and Turn-OFF Target Phase Window.
4) New feature (non-documented).
Baron Phase Calibration check.
The new version works in an identical fashion to version 2.00 except for the following modifications:
(1) TURBO MODE BUG
This program bug is present in all previous GoldTrax versions except
v1.00. When you release the Baron Mode toggle, to exit the Turbo Mode,
the following GoldTrax functions may be altered:
1) "Target Tracking Inhibit" control.
2) "Audio Iron alert" control.
3) Ground Tracking "Trax or Fixed" control.
Each of these Control features may be switched to its alternate condition. Or, they may not be altered at all. The choice as to what may happen is completely random. Turning the Audio Iron alert on and off can be easily detected. However, changing the Inhibit or Ground Tracking features will probably go unnoticed. If you are unaware of an alteration in these two features, GoldTrax performance could be seriously reduced.
Problem Solution for versions v1.01 to v2.00 ---
(A) First of all just don't use the Turbo Mode and this problem
will never come up. This is not necessarily
a great
disadvantage since the GoldTrax circuit will
Ground Track
within 3 to 10 seconds simply by sweeping
the loop over the
ground.
(B) Go ahead and use the Turbo Mode but reset the three Control
features listed above to restore to known
conditions. Although
this works I don't think it makes sense. The
purpose of the
Turbo Ground Balance Mode was to offer a very
quick method to
achieve Ground Balance. If you have to reset
the three
features each time after you Turbo then its
rather inconvenient
and takes more time.
NOTE: This bug is corrected in v2.10.
(2) MOTION FILTER MODIFICATION (NON-DOCUMENTED)
Modification of Motion Filter Time Constants "TC". This new feature
is added to version v2.10 and at this time should be non-documented and
left out of the instruction manual.
When you first "turn-on" the GoldTrax or when you press the CLR button, twice quickly, the Motion Filter TC is set to 22ms. This is the same TC that has been used in all previous GoldTrax versions, and it has always been fixed. This TC value won't change under normal operation unless you know how to change it as described below. Therefore, this new version will normally operate like the previous GoldTrax Modules.
MOTION FILTER (TIME CONSTANT) SPEED
INCREASE ----- Press and hold down the IRON key then ....
press and release the UPON) key.
DECREASE ----- Press and hold down the IRON key then ....
press and release the DOWN(OFF)
key.
PRESET ------- Press and hold down the IRON key then ....
press and release the CLR key.
Note: Filter speed always returns to a preset 22ms at instrument turn-on or if you do a double clear on the CLR key.
Each time you press and release the UP or DOWN key while holding down the IRON key the filter speed will change in discrete increments. The eight possible values are:
MOTION FILTER TIME CONSTANT
155ms (Down Key direction)
41ms
22ms (preset value)
14ms
9.5ms
7ms
5ms
3.6ms (Up Key direction)
The Motion Filter speed (TC) does not directly affect the Ground Balance performance. For instance it doesn't alter the Ground Tracking speed. However, it does control the performance of the Audio Iron Alert and the Target Inhibit features. As you know, the Target Inhibit if activated does control how the automatic Ground Tracking is affected by ferrous and Non-ferrous targets. Therefore, the Motion Filter Time Constants can indirectly affect Ground Tracking performance. It is quite possible that slightly shorter (smaller) Time Constants could improve the GoldTrax module performance. This new feature will allow the operator to experiment with this feature.
Initial lab testing has shown that the extreme TC values; 3.6ms, 5ms and 155ms are probably not useful. Making the Time Constant smaller (say from 22 to l0ms) tightens the target response and decreases ground pick-up and target sensitivity. Making the Time Constant greater (say from 22 to 41ms) lengthens the target response and increases ground pick-up and target sensitivity.
There is no visual feedback when you alter the TC values as outline above. Therefore, it is somewhat difficult to know exactly what TC value is installed. Its best to first hold down the IRON key then press and release the CLR key to reset the TC value to preset 22ms. Then, step the TC value up or down to achieve the desired result.
NOTE: This new feature does not affect the normal function of the IRON key. As before when you hold down the IRON key the LED will indicate the battery condition. And when you release the IRON key the other IRON key functions will become active.
(3) TURN-ON AND TURN-OFF TARGET PHASE WINDOW (NON-DOCUMENTED).
The Target phase window is turned-ON (activated) in all previous GoldTrax
versions whenever you used the Turbo GB feature. The idea behind this program
is as follows:
Whenever you Turbo Ground Balance, the Target Inhibit feature is temporarily removed and the GoldTrax quickly nulls to the ground matrix. Immediately after that a small 1 degree phase window is placed around the resultant measured ground phase. When you exit the Turbo Mode this phase window stays in place. Now when you go across a ferrous or nonferrous target the GoldTrax will more accurately ignore the targets and will not "track-off". In other words, with the phase window concept the GoldTrax will track the Ground better and ignore targets.
When the GoldTrax Module is Turbo Ground Balanced over fairly uniform mineralized ground that is devoid of targets, this phase window program probably works quite well. Using the Turbo Mode over "bad ground", where the matrix is not uniform, and where "hot rocks" are present the installed phase window could cause the GoldTrax to lock-up and not track correctly. Under these unusual conditions it’s quite possible that problems could occur.
In version v2.10 the small 1 degree target phase window is not normally installed when the Turbo GB Mode is activated. This is more in keeping with how the Turbo Mode is used. There should be no negative side effects in removing this program feature. However, if desired, the phase window can be installed as follows:
TARGET PHASE WINDOW
ON ---------- Hold Baron Mode toggle in Turbo GB Mode .....
press and release the IRON key.
OFF/PRESET -- Hold Baron Mode toggle in Turbo GB Mode .....
press and release the CLR key.
Note: The Target Phase window will also be returned to the preset OFF condition when the Baron is first turned-ON and during a CLR CLR key sequence. After you turn-ON the window it will stay activated permanently until you manually turn it off as described above. After Activation or deactivation of the window using the IRON or CLR keys don't press any other keys for at lease 2 second to eliminate the possibility of starting an IRON or CLR key sequence.
(4) BARON PHASE CALIBRATION CHECK (NON-DOCUMENTED).
At turn-on or during a CLR CLR key sequence all GoldTrax versions have
preset the Ground Balance (phase) to +0.5 degrees. This would be equivalent
to turning the Ground Balance control fully clockwise on a Pro Hunter Module.
This preset setting is not critical since the GoldTrax program will automatically
slew the Ground Balance to another phase location to null on mineralized
ground. However, for operation in low mineralized ground the +0.5 degree
value is probably the best place to preset the phase setting. Therefore,
for operation in low mineral the operator turns-on the Baron then immediately
deactivates the "Ground Tracking" by pressing the GND key then the OFF
key. This locks the phase setting at the preset value.
A preset phase angle of +0.5 degrees is fine for normal operation. However, it would be useful to preset and lock the phase at 0 degrees. A zero degree preset allows for Baron Main board trimmer R108 phase calibration. Or, the trimmer can be checked for correct calibration. This may be useful since no target simulator is required and only a ferrite sample is needed to verify the correct setting of R108.
R108 CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
(A) Hold the Baron Mode Toggle in momentary GB re-tune position.
(B) Press and release the GND key then quickly press and
Hold the OFF key.
(C) Release the Mode Toggle then release the OFF key.
(D) Press the GND key twice quickly.
The procedure above sets-up the GoldTrax module for Baron pcb R108 calibration. Step "A" activates Turbo GB and redefines what some of the keys do. Step "B" and "C" turns-off the Ground Tracking and sets the Ground phase to zero degrees. The Ground phase setting is now locked at zero degrees. Step "D" removes the AC auto-tune feature and places the program in its DC mode. Step "D" may be skipped if the DC adjustment method is preferred.
To Calibrate R108: Momentarily retune the threshold with the Mode
Toggle as often as necessary to reset audio threshold. Move a pure
ferrite sample about the loop and adjust R108 for minimum audio
change as the ferrite is moved. If the audio changes too much,
momentarily retune the threshold using the Baron Mode toggle.
Don't hold the toggle too long in the momentary position otherwise
Turbo GB will be activated which could alter the zero degree phase
setting. If "D" above is skipped retuning the threshold may not be
required, or at lease as often. Use only a pure ferrite sample
such as half a pot core. Its diameter should be about 1/2 to 3/4
of an inch. Move the ferrite vertically up and down along a line
perpendicular to the center of the loop. Do not place the ferrite
closer than 1 and 1/2 inches from the loop otherwise a phase error
is created. When the calibration is completed, press the CLR key
twice quickly to remove the locked zero degree phase setting.