Clone Pi AVR This is a simplified and improved version of a metal detector popular with radio amateurs. Since in the manufacture of the Clone PI metal detector, many had difficulties with the acquisition of an ADC, in the new version of the Clone AVR metal detector, the Peak controller and an external ADC were replaced with an affordable AVR microcontroller with an internal ADC Atmega8.

Scheme of the Clone PI AVR metal detector

And also the Clone PI AVR circuit with the indicated voltages direct current

There are several breeding options on the Internet printed circuit board for the Clone Pi AVR metal detector. Below is a photo of a pretty decent PCB version.

One of the options for implementing the Clone AVR metal detector board:

To flash the microcontroller, the configuration bits must be arranged as follows:

The Clone PI AVR metal detector has an average level of difficulty manufacturing, due to the presence of a metal detector in the circuit, a programmable microcontroller. But otherwise, its manufacture should not cause any particular difficulties.

Clone PI AVR metal detector coil

With the Clone PI AVR metal detector, you can use coils from the Tracker and Koschey impulse metal detectors, as well as large depth frames.

The most universal coil diameters are 20-30 cm. Such coils will have a detection depth of 1 - 1.5 meters and will retain their sensitivity to small metal objects (coins, jewelry, etc.).

For making a universal search coil, you need on the mandrel 26-27 cm, wind 23-24 turns of the winding enamel wire with a diameter of 0.7-0.8 mm. As a mandrel, you can use a saucepan of a suitable diameter, or make a mandrel as in the photo below:

For the manufacture of the mandrel, we take a sheet of plywood or chipboard. On it, with the help of a compass, we draw a circle with the diameter we need. Then we take screws or self-tapping screws, put cambric on them. We screw the screws with cambric along the perimeter of our circle, and we get a mandrel for winding the coil.

The coil is wound in bulk. Then we wind the turns tightly together, with scotch tape, or electrical tape. We solder a wire 2 * 0.75 mm in insulation to the ends of the winding.

We connect our coil to the board of the Clone Pi AVR metal detector (it is better to use the connector for connection) and check its performance. Such a coil is suitable for testing and experimentation, but for real work, it must be protected from shock, moisture, etc.

For this, the coil must be secured in a suitable plastic housing. In our designs, we use such a universal case.

The coil is fixed inside the body using hot glue, and then the coil body is sealed with dichloroethane, or twisted with stainless self-tapping screws.

To obtain an underwater coil, it is better to fill the body with epoxy. This will reduce its buoyancy and prevent water from entering the hull.

And in the article about the methods of making depth frames for impulse metal detectors are described.

Clone PI AVR metal detector firmware:

1. Firmware version 1.7.3 for ATmega8 -
2. Firmware version 1.7.3A for ATmega8, with modified auto-ground alignment algorithm -
3. Firmware version 1.8.0 for the controller ATmega8- Changes:
   • The volume of the sound of the buttons is adjusted to the main volume.
   • Ground adjust now works in 3 modes - adaptive, fixing and off (static).
   • Guard interval can now be selected when enabled ( auto), the stored value ( last), or forcibly selected by the user in the range 2 … 80 .
   • Added parameter Volume raise, allowing you to reduce the volume at the beginning of the scale (with weak responses). This improves the stability of the circuit at a low threshold.
   • Removed the double power mode, which has shown its practical uselessness.
   • When the backlight is on, the indicator displays the letter "L" (Light).
4. Firmware version 1.8.1 for the controller ATmega8, bugs were fixed in firmware and power consumption was reduced —

Conclusion: Clone PI AVR metal detector This is a proven and popular metal detector among radio amateurs and search engines. It has a search depth comparable to factory metal detectors and a completely open circuit and firmware for its manufacture. TO disadvantages the metal detector should be attributed to excessive power consumption.

Review of the finished board of the Clone PI AVR metal detector

Video of the launch of the Clone PI AVR metal detector assembled by hand, and the possibility of setting it up:

When writing this article, the following materials were used:

1. Developer site - http://fandy.hut2.ru
2. And this site - http://metdet.ucoz.ua/publ/metalloiskatel_klon/1-1-0-13
3. And also the forum - http://md4u.ru/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=660 - here you can ask questions about self-assembly of the metal detector.

Metal detector Clone This is a slightly revised and simplified version of the Tracker PI metal detector (Koschey 2I). Since the Tracker PI metal detector is a commercial device, and its firmware is closed from free access. And our radio amateurs are persistent people, with joint efforts and mainly by Andrey Fedorov, the circuit and firmware of the Clone PI metal detector was developed and made available for free access, and every radio amateur, with basic knowledge in electronics, can assemble it.

The Clone metal detector has many variations of boards, schemes and firmware versions, which have been repeatedly modified and reworked by many radio amateurs. Hard-to-find components were replaced with more accessible ones, for example, the ADC that was used in the first version of the metal detector, was in the process remotely from the circuit, due to its rarity, etc.

The most popular today are two variants of the metal detector: Clone PI-AVR and Clone PI-W.

Metal detector Clone PI-AVR DIY

IN OUR ONLINE STORE YOU CAN BUY A READY BOARD FOR METAL DETECTOR CLONE PI AVR

Distinctive features of the Clone PI-AVR version of the metal detector:

• The available ATmega8 controller from Atmel was used.
• Instead of an external ADC, an internal ADC of the controller is used.
• Clocking is used from the internal RC - generator of the controller.

Photo of the printed circuit board (This is the most decent version of the Clone PI AVR metal detector)

Photo of the assembled boards of the Clone PI AVR metal detector

Setting Configuration Bits for Microcontroller Firmware

An example of a finished metal detector Clone PI-AVR photo

DIY metal detector Clone PI-W

Distinctive features of the Clone PI-W version of the metal detector:

• Maximum simplification of the diagram and reduction of the number of parts
• LED indication from 10 LEDs. LEDs make it possible to make underwater metal detector Clone. LEDs are visible underwater and are easier to seal.

Clone PI AVR metal detector circuit

Setting Configuration Bits for Microcontroller Firmware

Download Archive with printed circuit board, firmware and circuit of the Clone PI-AVR metal detector(

An example of a finished metal detector Clone PI-W photo:

Clone PI metal detector coil

For the Clone metal detector, you can use Koschey 5I, as well as depth frames for Koschey 5I (True, the depth wakes up somewhat inferior to Koschey 5I, since Clone does not have a "turbo mode", and the clone's power is a little less). There are tons of descriptions on the internet various designs for impulse metal detectors, so the choice is great.

The most versatile reels are reels with diameters of 250 - 280 mm. They clearly see both small objects (coins, sleeves, etc.) and large metal at a depth of 1 - 1.5 meters.

A standard sensor for a Clone metal detector is 25 - 27 turns, a winding wire with a diameter of 0.5 - 0.8 mm is wound in bulk, on a mandrel with a diameter of 19 cm. The larger the diameter of the coil, the greater the depth of search and less sensitivity to small objects.

The easiest way to make a coil for a clone metal detector is a twisted pair coil. A description of the manufacture of such a coil can be found in the article " Twisted Pair Pulse Coils". Or you can buy a ready-made coil for metal detector(All coils are suitable for the Tracker PI-2 and Koschey 5I metal detector).

Advantages and disadvantages of the Clone metal detector

Dignity of the Clone metal detector in comparison with the Tracker PI-2 metal detector:

1. Simpler layout (fewer details).
2. There is no dependence of the sensitivity on the degree of battery discharge.
3. Button control, not variable resistors.
4. The openness of the firmware, and the availability for self-production.

disadvantages:

1. Less stability, and more susceptible to interference.
2. Significantly higher power consumption (100 - 160 mA for the Clone W version, and up to 250 mA for the AVR version), and, accordingly, less battery or battery life.
3. Poor repeatability of characteristics (This is the personal opinion of the author of this article, and it can be challenged. I had personal experience assembling 5 Clone PI detectors and they all worked differently, 2 well, 1 tolerably, and 2 more worked disgustingly and constantly buggy).

Conclusion: the Clone metal detector is a good solution for radio amateurs, and those who want to assemble a metal detector with their own hands, this is normal pulse metal detector controlled by a microcontroller.But this is not an industrial metal detector, I would not advise you to buy it.

Although there are a lot of radio amateurs selling Clones. But the purchase of such a metal detector is associated with great risks, due to the range of real search characteristics and build quality. And in terms of stability, even a perfectly assembled Clone is not even Tracker D... Better to buy the original from which he was "Cloned" - Tracker PI-2, which has been tested by years of work in a wide variety of conditions and has won many of its fans.

Write your questions, comments and suggestions for finalizing the article.

Pay later

Instant installments

Attention! Stock! Buy two metal detectors and get a 5% discount!

Buying Clone PI-AVR from us you can be sure that you are purchasing a high quality and reliable metal detector. The device has a 1-year warranty.

The search depth with this device reaches up to 3.5 meters when using deep sensors. It is easy to connect sensors of any size from 5 cm to a 1.3X1.3 meter frame.

The device has a built-in lithium ion battery, a microprocessor controller is installed to charge it. The controller prevents the battery from overcharging and strong discharge, and it also implements the switching on of the device with a tact button instead of a mechanical one. The battery lasts for 8-12 hours of continuous operation.

In the set includes:

• electronic unit of the device;
• factory-painted adjustable bar;
• sensor 27 cm;
• battery;
• charger.

Brief description of device characteristics:

• Nutrition: lithium ion battery 2200(real capacity) mAh 3.7V.
• Principle of operation: impulse.
• Search modes: Static and Dynamic.
• There is no selection and discrimination of metals.
• Automatic adjustment to any sensor size.
• Ground level balancing at the touch of a button.
• Rod material: aluminum.
• The bar is adjustable for height.
• Metal detector assembly weight: 1200 grams.

Clone: ​​unpacking and testing at home.

Clone: ​​reaction to precious and non-ferrous metals.

Clone, spontaneous cop.

Made in Ukraine! Quality, reliability, good depth indicators, ease of use!

Search depth with 27 cm sensor:

• Helmet 90 cm.
• Car 1.9 m.
• Coin 5 kopecks. USSR - up to 27-35 cm.
• Gold and silver ring - 20-25 cm.

Search depth with sensor 50 cm:

• Helmet 1.2 m.
• Car 2.5-3 m.

Note: appearance, specifications and equipment of the goods are subject to change by the manufacturer without prior notice.

What can you find ?!

Coins- these are, perhaps, the most popular finds in the field of search engines. At all times, people have used money, and before, as a rule, they were in the form of coins. And it is not difficult to assume that their owners often lost.
So almost anyone can find ancient coins by walking with a metal detector in any area where people lived (or live) at least 100 years ago - that is, in the outskirts of any village. You can find both coins from the times of the USSR and coins from the times of Tsarist Russia (imperial coins).

The coins were not only lost, but deliberately buried in the ground. In order to hide, to save, in times of turmoil, robberies, war, dispossession, and simply - to save for old age, because there were no banks in the villages before. Yes, you are not mistaken - we are talking about treasures... It may sound a little utopian, but thousands of search engines know that this is quite real!

Treasures - search engines come across with enviable regularity. Of course, not all of them bring untold treasures, because the treasure is not only chests with jewelry, but also just pots with a hundred other coins. But they also cost a lot of money, apart from the pleasure of finding them with a metal detector. Such pots (and even barrels) with coins are found with enviable regularity on the site of former and even existing villages or their outskirts.

Where people lived - the earth always harbors various secrets, discoveries and discoveries. You just need to take the device and the shovel in hand!

In addition to coins, people also lost many other items: jewelry (our ancestors had them too), crosses, household items and tools, elements of clothing decorations, old buttons, various gadgets and products.

Many of the search engines (treasure hunters) collect and design their finds.
And this is much more enjoyable than buying items from the collection. In the future, these collections can become a museum exposition.

First Cop with Clone (user video):

Successful metal detecting with Clone PI AVR:

Golden fever.

Even if you do not live in a gold-bearing area, you can experience the gold rush with interest. And again, a metal detector and a little luck will help us with this. To do this, just go to any sandy beach in your area, where there is a high concentration of bathers during hot periods of summer. And there, walking along the edge of the sand near the water and in water "knee-deep" (the coil of the device can be immersed in water without wetting the control unit) - you can find a lot of interesting things lost by numerous bathers: watches, keys, key chains, kilograms of modern trifles, and gold and silver jewelry... After all, people rest by the water quite actively, running, frolicking, often not quite sober and losing the contents of their pockets, as well as jewelry.
It is recommended to search the beaches in the early hours of the summer (there are still few tourists and no one will bother you) or at any time starting from the closing period of the swimming season.

Attention! Be careful - this is very exciting! Plunging into the hobby of searching with the device further, you should be prepared for the fact that it will swallow you entirely, perhaps even replace fishing, and what is even more dangerous - football!

Of course, this is a comic warning, most likely everything will be a little different: fishing can be pleasantly combined with searching with a metal detector, Sunday a trip with your family to nature can also be beneficially combined with a barbecue and a walk with a metal detector around the neighborhood - all ages and all family members are submissive to this hobby!

This is the best model for your start!

An excellent choice in terms of value for money, try this model and you will love to do your search in earnest!

Clone PI W metal detector is a slightly simplified and cheaper version of the Clone PI-AVR impulse metal detector. In MD Clone PI-W, the LCD screen is replaced by 10 LEDs, and the control is carried out by six tact buttons. This metal detector is perfect for building an underwater and depth search device.

Technical characteristics of the Clone Pi V metal detector:

• Indication: LED; sound multi-tone;

• Search mode is static;

• Discrimination: none

• Supply voltage: 12V

Maximum detection depth of objects with a ring sensor 19 centimeters:

• Coin with a diameter of 25mm - up to 30cm;

• Helmet - up to 60cm;

• Maximum depth - up to 150cm;

With a deep loop sensor 1.2x1.2m

• Helmet - up to 140cm;

• Steel barrel 200l - up to 200cm;

• The maximum depth is up to 300cm.

The main advantage of this device is the relatively low cost, ease of setup and use. If the board was soldered properly, the device starts working almost immediately, the only setting is to adjust the variable resistor. ).

As an example, we will consider the most affordable version of the circuit - the Clone PI-W metal detector on the CD4066 microcircuit.

and Clone Pi V can be bought in our online store MD KIT

andClone Pi V can be bought in our online store MD KIT

Parts List for Clone Pi V

Clone Pi V metal detector controller firmware

To flash the Mega8 controller, you need a programmer, I advise you to use the AVR ISP programmer, it has a low cost and is quite suitable for our tasks, we will flash the controller using the AVRDude program. The most stable firmware for Clone Pi-V is version 1.2.2m

The configuration bits must be set as in the picture, note that they are inverse (PonyProg)

Making a coil for Clone PI V

The coil is made of PETV wire with a cross section of 0.4-0.5 mm for a conventional sensor and 0.66-0.8 mm for a depth frame. It is advisable to take a wire for connecting the coil and the metal detector unit with good flexible insulation and one pair of cores, with a cross section of 0.75 mm². There is no need to shield the coil. We solder the leads of the coil and the wire, and reliably insulate. Solder the connector at the end of the wire.

How to make a twisted pair clone metal detector coil in detail

Setting up the Clone PI W metal detector

The Clone PI W metal detector practically does not need to be configured, its entire setup comes down to the following steps: We turn on the device away from metal objects and switched on electronic devices, and wait until the entire LED scale passes. Then we bring a control metal object, such as a coin, and check the sensitivity of the metal detector. Then we tighten the trimmer resistor, reboot the metal detector and check the sensitivity again. We repeat the manipulation until we achieve the best result.

After setting, in the metal detector, you can also use the control buttons to adjust the volume and sensitivity of the metal detector. The higher the Barrier (Adjustment range 0 - 10), the lower the sensitivity. We lower the threshold until false positives appear when the metal detector coil is raised in the air. For a normally assembled and tuned metal detector, the normal threshold is 3-5.

Impulse metal detectors, among homemade ones, are known for the highest metal detection depths. They are also better than others able to work in salt water and highly mineralized soil. All impulses are similar in principle of operation and have common pros and cons. The clone metal detector that we will be assembling has the following advantages:

1. The sensor is made of a single coil that is both transmitting and receiving. This greatly simplifies assembly and eliminates time-consuming setup. The coil size can be selected independently, depending on the intended purpose of the metal detector.
2. A simplified diagram in comparison with high-quality home-made metal detectors.
3. Simple push-button adjustment.
4. Slightly reduced power consumption compared to impulse metal detectors with on-screen display.

The disadvantages include:

1. No discrimination.
2. The need to flash the microcircuit. However, this cannot be called a big problem, since the article will present detailed instructions this process.

The assembly of the pi w clone metal detector begins with the electrical components: the circuit, the sensor, their connection and the firmware of the microcircuit. The final step is making or purchasing body parts and setting up the device.

Assembling the circuit

All the necessary details, their analogs and comments are indicated in the table in Figure 2.

Parts are purchased strictly new! This will free you from circuit health problems.

Metal detector circuit Clone pi w is assembled on two circuit boards. One is the main, and the second is a control and indication board with buttons and LEDs. Both PCBs for the program Sprint Layout can be downloaded from the link. For the future fixing of the main board, you can leave a supply of PCB or use hot glue. For the second board, the mounting connectors are already provided on the circuit board. The connection of the two circuits is made according to the signed pins B1 - B4 and VD4 - VD13 and is implemented with a multi-core loop, for example, from old hard drives or disk drives.

Soldering of radio components is carried out in accordance with the diagram and circuit boards in Figures 3 and 4.


The main requirements for the assembly are accuracy, care and the absence of random connections between tracks and parts. After manufacturing the printed circuit board, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse it from the flux.

Chip firmware

The clone metal detector works according to a specially written program that needs to be written into the ATmega8 microcircuit. You can download the firmware version 1.2.2m from the link.

Let's look at some simple ways to write firmware:

Method 1. We take the microcircuit, the downloaded firmware, and go to the nearest electronics repair shop or to a friend who understands this. We ask you to complete the firmware for free or for a low fee.

If the firmware is carried out in the PonyProg program, we show the wizard Figure 5, which shows the settings for the configuration bits.

When flashing with other programs, pay attention to the SPIEN item. If the checkbox is not checked when reading the information, then set all other configuration bits to the opposite state! This is very important, since in case of an error, returning the processor to its original state is much more difficult than the firmware process.

For example, you can take a look at the settings of the Uniprof program (Fig. 6), when reading in which the SPIEN parameter was unchecked.

Method 2. Let's build the simplest programmer called "Gromov's programmer" and make the firmware ourselves.

The circuit connects to COM port computer. If you do not have it, you can, again, contact a friend with an older computer or purchase a board with a COM connector. All details, contacts of the processor and programmer are signed on the corresponding diagrams.

When assembling, please note that separate processor power is required constant voltage 5 V. You can take it from the USB cable by connecting it to the computer.

Do not forget to connect the minus of the programmer and the minus of the power supply.

After assembling the programmer, we flash the clone pi w metal detector step by step:

1. We insert the processor;
2. We connect the programmer to the COM port;
3. We launch the Uniprof program;
4. We supply 5 V power to the processor;
5. Make sure the program has seen the processor;
6. We read the configuration bits and configure as described above;
7. Open the firmware with the program, and click "write".

At this point, the firmware of the microcircuit is considered complete.

Sensor (coil) manufacturing

The sensor consists of a sealed coil, a rod mount and a wire.

As described above, the coil for impulse metal detectors is very simple. We find a wire with any insulation with a diameter of 0.4 - 0.5 mm. And, according to the table in Figure 8, we select the number of turns and the diameter of the coil. The optimum diameter of the coil is 20 - 26 cm. You can also build a square depth coil, but it will not give a significant increase.

There are many ways of making a winding, for example, a basket type or in one plane, but they do not give much improvement, so we choose any simpler type. We make a winding in bulk on some round object of a suitable diameter, after which we tightly fasten the coil with electrical tape and bring out the two ends of the wire. The coil is not shielded!

The body is made from any available means, from plywood to plastic, but it is better to purchase a frame with lugs for the rod in the store, this will give the sensor a quality and acceptable look. The sensor must not use metal.

It is advisable to take a wire for connecting the sensor and the unit with good insulation and a pair of cores with a cross section of about 0.7 mm². Shielding is also unnecessary. We solder the leads of the coil and the wire, and reliably insulate. We attach a connector at the end of the wire.

After manufacturing the coil, we fix it in a mandrel and seal it with special means - epoxy glue, polyurethane foam or other dielectric compounds.

The manufactured sensor can be installed on any clone impulse metal detector.

Figure 9 shows the different coil options for this detector.

Assembly of body elements

To make a case for a metal detector with your own hands, you will need a little locksmith work, a suitable tool and material, as well as a desire to make something beautiful.

For the control unit, you need a box made of plastic or wood. We select the dimensions so that two boards fit into it and, in the case of using batteries, a contact box. The terminal box can also be taken out separately and fixed next to the control unit housing. The main board can be fixed with hot glue or silicone. For the control and indication board, we cut out or drill suitable holes for LEDs and buttons. After matching all the holes for the buttons and LEDs, we fix the board, like the main one. We make holes on the box for the switch and the connector for the coil, and fix them. We try to make the box airtight to exclude moisture ingress, for example, in case of rain.

The bar is made of PVC pipes. Having thought over the design, we buy the necessary pipes and adapters in the store, taking into account that the rod should be collapsible, dielectric and convenient - the presence of a handle, an armrest and a place for a battery, if used (Fig. 11).

You can use a gas stove to bend the pipe. To adjust the length, we use the difference in pipe diameters and screw rings. With enough desire, the bar can be made from other objects - a crutch, a fishing rod. The main condition is the absence of metal parts. A well-assembled rod is suitable not only for the clone pi w metal detector, but also for other types of metal detectors.

After making the rod, we fix the control unit on it and attach the sensor with plastic fasteners or other means. We sign the buttons.

Configuring and testing

After assembling the metal detector, turn it on. Self-diagnosis should occur with voice acting and flashing LEDs. To avoid a decrease in sensitivity, turn on the device away from metals.

Tuning is done away from the ground, metal and other objects, for example - in the air. Do not forget to take off everything that may contain a conductive material. Use the S1 button to set the minimum barrier. By rotating the resistor R7, we achieve a loud continuous signal. Then we return to its position a little bit until the metal detector is silent.

In the future, during the operation of the metal detector, the ground balance is performed using the S1 and S2 buttons. S3 and S4 buttons decrease and increase the volume respectively. The S5 button is intended for setting some functions, but in this diagram it is removed. Button S6 - reset. We use it after balancing from the ground, as well as when the device freezes and glitches.

When the battery is discharged, the metal detector will emit two short beeps every few seconds.

Unlike the Clone Pi Avr metal detector, which is assembled with a display, LEDs act as a visual indication. The number of lights indicates the depth and strength of the signal, as well as the sound level and ground balance during tuning.