To charge a Minelab Equinox, plug the supplied USB cable into a USB-A charger and snap the magnetic end onto the charging contacts on the back of the control pod. The green charge LED flashes while charging and turns solid when full. From flat, a Minelab Equinox 600 or 800 takes about 4 hours on a charger that supplies more than 1.7 A at 5 V. A Minelab Equinox 700 or Minelab Equinox 900 takes about 5 to 6 hours and Minelab requires a charger rated at least 2 A at 5 V. No wall adapter is included with any Equinox; you supply the USB charger.
What charger do I need for a Minelab Equinox?
A Minelab Equinox needs a USB-A charger, not a special Minelab charger. The only Minelab-specific part is the cable, which has a USB-A plug on one end and a magnetic connector on the other. Minelab's charger requirements by model:
| Model | Charger for the rated charge time | Charge time from flat | Runtime on a full charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox 600 and 800 | Any USB port that supports battery charging; more than 1.7 A at 5 V for the 4 hour time | About 4 hours | About 12 hours |
| Equinox 700 and 900 | At least 2 A at 5 V (Minelab's stated minimum) | About 5 to 6 hours | About 12 hours |
Any USB port that supports USB battery charging will work, but a low-power port such as a laptop USB socket or an old 1 A phone cube charges much more slowly. For the Equinox 700 and 900, Minelab says to use a good-quality charger and specifies 2 A as a minimum, not a suggestion. A good-quality 2 A or higher USB-A wall charger covers every Equinox model.
Charging, step by step
- Plug the supplied Equinox charging cable into a powered USB-A port or wall charger.
- Hold the magnetic end near the charging contacts on the rear of the control pod. It snaps into place on its own.
- Check the charge status LED on the control panel. Flashing green means charging.
- When the LED stays on solid, the battery is full. Pull the cable off sideways or straight back.
Minelab recommends a full charge before first use. Charging with the detector switched on works, but takes longer. On the Equinox 700 and 900 the battery level indicator in the status bar shows charging progress if the detector is on.
Can I use the Equinox while it is charging?
Yes, with one limit. Minelab allows any Equinox to run from a portable USB power bank through the charging cable, so you can keep detecting with a flat battery by strapping a power bank to the armrest. Charging while the detector is on is also fine; the manual only says the charge takes longer. What Minelab does not allow is using the detector underwater while charging or while connected to a power bank, and the Equinox 700 and 900 manual adds that the detector is not intended to be operated while plugged into a mains (wall) charger. Power bank in the field, yes. Wall charger in the field, no.
The charge LED and battery indicator
The charge status LED on the control panel is the indicator. Flashing green is charging. Solid green is fully charged. While detecting, the battery icon on the display shows the level: on the Equinox 600 and 800 the segments mean roughly 70 to 100 percent, 30 to 70 percent, under 30 percent, and under 5 percent. When the battery is critically low, the Target ID display shows bF and the detector shuts itself off. Our post on Minelab Equinox error codes covers bF and the other codes.
Why is my Equinox charging slowly or not charging?
Work through these in order. The first two are Minelab's own troubleshooting steps for an Equinox that will not charge or will not stay on; the rest are what we check in the shop:
- Charger too weak. Confirm the charger is rated above 1.7 A (600/800) or at least 2 A (700/900). Phone cubes are often 1 A.
- Connector not seated or dirty. Sand and salt on the magnetic connector or the pod contacts stop the charge. Wipe both with a dry cloth and reattach. The LED should start flashing.
- Cable not seated at the USB end. Push it fully into the port.
- Temperature. Minelab specifies charging the Equinox 700 and 900 between 0 and 40 C (32 to 104 F). A detector left in a hot car or a freezing garage may not charge until it comes back into range.
- Battery worn out. If the detector runs on the charger but turns off the instant you unplug it, the battery needs replacing. Lithium-ion packs lose capacity over years of use. Minelab publishes a procedure for replacing the Equinox 600 and 800 battery yourself, with the caveat that a service center replacement keeps the control panel warranty intact; see how to replace the Equinox 600 and 800 battery. The Equinox 700 and 900 battery is replaced by a Minelab Authorized Service Center.
Battery care and storage
Minelab's maintenance advice for the Equinox lithium-ion battery is short. Fully charge it at least once every 3 to 4 months if the detector is not being used, because lithium-ion performance degrades when a pack sits discharged for long periods. Beyond that, charge after each hunt so the detector is ready, and expect the battery to need replacement after a few years of normal use even with good care. The backlight, flashlight on the 700 and 900, and wireless audio all shorten runtime, so turn off what you are not using on a long day.
What to do next
Use a quality 2 A USB-A wall charger, charge to a solid green LED before each hunt, and carry a small power bank if you detect past 12 hours. If a full charge no longer lasts a session, the battery, not the charger, is the problem.
Detectors in this article
| Best for | Detector | Price today | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also covered | Minelab Equinox 900 | $999.00 | In stock |
| Also covered | Minelab Equinox 700 | $749.00 | In stock |
Prices and stock are live from our store and update automatically.
