Draper Tools 13818 Instructions

METAL,
VOLTAGE &

STUD DETECTOR

13818 – 501G INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

1. Preface

These are the original product instructions. This document is part of
the product; retain it for the life of the product, passing it on to
subsequent holders. Read this manual in full before attempting to
assemble, operate, or maintain this product.

This Draper Tools manual describes the purpose of the product and
contains all the necessary information to ensure its correct and safe
use. Following all the instructions and guidance in this manual will
ensure the safety of both the product and the operator and increase
the lifespan of the product.

All photographs and drawings within this manual are supplied by
Draper Tools to help illustrate correct operation of the product.

Every eort has been made to ensure the information contained in

this manual is accurate. However, Draper Tools reserves the right to
amend this document without prior warning. Always use the latest
version of the product manual.

1.2 Revisions

Version 1: February 2018
First release

Version 2: June 2022
General content and formatting updates

As our manuals are continually updated, always ensure that the
latest version is used.

Download the latest version from:
drapertools.com/manuals

EN

Original Instructions

Version 1

1.3 Copyright © Notice

Copyright © Draper Tools Limited.

Permission is granted to reproduce this manual for personal and
educational use ONLY. Commercial copying, redistribution, hiring,
or lending is strictly prohibited.

No part of this manual may be stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any other form or means without written permission
from Draper Tools Limited.

In all cases, this copyright notice must remain intact.

1.4 Understanding the Safety Content

WARNING! – Situations or actions that may result in personal injury
or death.

CAUTION! – Situations or actions that may result in damage to the
product or surroundings.

Important: – Information or instructions of particular impor tance.

2. Warranty

Draper Tools products are carefully tested and inspected before
shipment and are guaranteed to be free from defective materials
and workmanship.

Should the tool develop a fault, return the complete tool to your
nearest distributor or contact Draper Tools directly. Contact
information can be found at the back of this manual.

Proof of purchase must be provided.

If, upon inspection, it is found that the fault occurring is due to
defective materials or workmanship, repairs will be carried out free

This warranty period covers parts and labour for 12

of charge.
months from the date of purchase. Where tools have been hired out,
the warranty period covers 90 days from the date of purchase.

This warranty does not apply to any consumable parts, batteries or
normal wear and tear, nor does it cover any damage caused by
misuse, careless or unsafe handling, alterations, accidents, or
repairs attempted or made by any personnel other than the
authorised Draper Tools repair agent.

In all cases, to make a claim for faulty workmanship or materials
within the standard warranty period, please contact or return the
product to the place of purchase. Proof of purchase may be
required.

If the place of purchase is no longer trading or if you experience any

diculties with your warranty, please contact Customer Services

with the product details and your proof of purchase. Contact details
can be found at the back of this manual.

Helpline: [phone] Sales Desk: [phone] General Enquiries: [phone] Website: drapertools.com Email: [e-mail]

Draper Tools Limited, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 1YF, UK 0522

If the tool is not covered by the terms of this warranty, repairs and
carriage charges will be quoted and charged accordingly.

This warranty supersedes any other guarantees expressed or implied and
variations of its terms are not authorised.

Your Draper Tools guarantee is not eective until you can produce, upon

request, a dated receipt or invoice to verify your purchase within the
guarantee period.

Please note that this warranty is an additional benet and does not aect

your statutory rights.

Draper Tools Limited

3. Specication

Stock No. 13818

Part No. 501G

Wood Test Compound wood, thickness 10mm.

Metal Test Diameter 20mm, Iron pipe

(depth 25mm max.)

AC Voltage test. AC 220V Electric wire,

(depth 25mm max.)

Ambient condition. -20°C to 60°C below 80% RH

Battery 9V, PP3

(8) Power indicator (green)

(9) Voltage/metal indicator (red)

(10) Battery compartment cover

(11) Stud detector trimmer

(12) Voltage/metal detector trimmer

(13) Buzzer

(14) AC voltage detection adjuster (Factory adjustment only;

DO NOT tamper with this setting)

5. Health and Safety Information

• Read this manual in full before using this product.

• This device is intended for use as a guide ONLY.

 − Lack of response from the detector does not guarantee the

absence of metal, currents or wall studs.

− Caution must still be exercised when working in walls and other
blind surfaces.

•  DO NOT immerse this device in water or allow the battery to come
into contact with liquids.

•  DO NOT abuse, mutilate or burn the battery.

•  Check the device carefully before use.

 − DO NOT use this product if it is damaged in any way or there is

evidence of battery leakage.

WARNING! This device emits a loud audible tone. Placing your ear over
the buzzer openings may cause hearing damage.

4. Product Identication

(2)

(12)

(13)

(14)

4.1 Product Overview

(1) Stud detection face

(2) Voltage/metal detection face

(3) Stud indicator (red)

(4) Stud indicator (green)

(5) Stud sensitivity dial

(6) Selector switch

(7) Voltage/metal sensitivity dial

6. Operation and Use

Install a 9V PP3 battery (supplied) before use; see 7.2 Replacing the
Battery.

(3)
(4)

(1)

(10)

(11)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

6.1 AC Voltage and Metal Detection

1. Hold the unit and rotate the voltage/metal sensitivity dial (7) fully
downwards.

(8)

(7)

1 Fig.

2. Move the selector switch (6) to the AC Voltage/Metal Detector
position; the power indicator (8) should illuminate.

Important: Ensure that the device is not positioned near any metal

objects or current-carrying conductors when you switch it on.

3. Rotate the sensitivity dial (7) upwards until the metal/voltage
indicator illuminates and the audible tone sounds, then reverse the

dial gently until the indicators switch o.

4. Hold the device so that the voltage detection face (2) is ush with the
wall and move it sideways across the surface.

– 2 –

5. The response of the indicators determines the object detected:

 − Constant LED and tone: A metal object has been detected.

 − Intermittent LED and tone: A current-carrying conductor has

been detected.

Important: If the indicators do not function normally once the device
is switched on, the device must be adjusted; see 6.4 Unit Adjustment.

2  Fig.

Notes on Use

Important: ALWAYS test the device on a known voltage source before

attempting to detect unfamiliar sources.

•  This device cannot detect shielded current conductors, such as those
in a metal conduit.

 − In this instance, only the presence of metal will be indicated.

•  Some walls and surfaces may contain metallic bres for reproong,

such as foil-backed plasterboard, which may expand the area in
which voltage is detected.

•  Avoid touching the wall while it is being tested:

 − Sustained contact during the test may cancel out any detection

by the device.

− Rubbing or banging on the surface may generate static
electricity and cause a false reading.

Important: The device is highly sensitive and may be triggered by very
low currents, which may cause false readings to occur in some
circumstances. For example, a conductor with poor insulation that is in
contact with a damp wall may cause the device to indicate a voltage in
the wall. When this occurs, the device is indicating a potential hazard that

should be investigated by suitably qualied personnel before any

additional work is carried out.

6.2 Wood Frame Detection

(5)

3 Fig.

To locate vertical battens or wall studs:

1. Hold the device so that the stud detection face (1) is ush with the
wall.

2. Rotate the stud sensitivity dial (5) fully downwards.

3. Move the selector switch (6) to the Stud Detector position.

4. Turn the sensitivity dial until the red stud indicator (3) illuminates and
the audible tone is heard.

5. Gently reverse the dial until the green stud indicator illuminates and
the audible tone stops.

Important: If the indicators do not function normally once the device

is switched on, the device must be adjusted; see 6.4 Unit Adjustment.

6. Move the unit horizontally across the wall, ensuring that the stud

detection face remains ush with the surface.

Important: If the device loses contact with the wall, the green

indicator will go out and the procedure must be repeated from the
beginning.

7. The red stud indicator will illuminate and the audible tone will start
when the edge of a batten or wall stud is detected.

8. Resume the movement of the device and mark the position where the
green stud indicator illuminates and the audible tone stops.

The marked positions indicate the edges of the batten or wall stud. The
midpoint between the two marks represents the centre of the detected
object.

4 Fig.

Notes on Use

Important: While the device may be used to detect battens and wall studs

within wallpapered walls, some foiled-backed or metallic fabric surfaces
may cause incorrect readings.

•  The device can be used to detect horizontal studs when held in a
horizontal position and moved vertically along the wall face (Fig. 4).

•  If the unit is placed against a stud or wall batten during conguration,

readings may be inaccurate.

•  Nails and other objects in a batten or wall stud may cause anomalous
readings and change the apparent width of the detected object.

− Take several readings along the length of a detected batten or
wall stud to increase the reliability of the output.

•  Draper Tools recommends recalibrating the device frequently during
testing to increase the reliability of the output.

•  Draper Tools recommends that metal/voltage detection is also carried
out on any detected battens and wall studs to ensure that they are not
pipes or cables.

Important: This process may detect small screws and nails. Consider

all results in context.

•  Where multiple studs are positioned adjacently, the device may
appear to function incorrectly.

– 3 –

6.3 Maximizing Accuracy

The sensitivity of the unit can be pin-pointed to exactly identify the
location place of pipes, cables, battens or studs.

1. Congure the device as normal (see 6.1 and 6.2 as appropriate) and
sweep it across the surface so that the approximate location is
detected.

2. Adjust the appropriate dial slightly downwards and perform the
sweep again.

3. Repeat step 2 until the indicator and LED are no longer activated.

4. Adjust the dial slightly upwards and perform one nal sweep to
identify the exact location of the object.

6.4 Unit Adjustment

CAUTION! Any attempt to adjust the device must be made with the
utmost care and only when absolutely necessary. Once it has been
adjusted, it cannot be returned to the factory settings. DO NOT adjust

the device unless you are condent in your actions; otherwise, contact

Draper Tools for support.

The device is calibrated before shipment and should be ready for use.
However, in the event that the device does not function as expected, it
may require adjustment.

(15)

5 Fig.

AC Voltage and Metal Detection Adjustment:

1. Rotate the voltage/metal sensitivity dial (7) fully downwards, then
rotate it upwards by a half turn.

2. Move the selector switch (6) to the “AC Voltage/Metal Detector”
position.

3. Use the small screwdriver (15) to rotate the voltage/metal detector
trimmer (12) as appropriate.

If ONLY the green power indicator (8) comes on:

a. Slowly turn the trimmer CLOCKWISE and stop at the exact point

at which the red voltage/metal indicator (9) and buzzer are
activated.

b. Slowly turn the trimmer ANTICLOCKWISE until the exact point at

which the red indicator and buzzer stop.

If the green power indicator (8), the red voltage/metal indicator (9)

and the buzzer, come on:

a. Slowly turn the trimmer ANTICLOCKWISE until the exact point at

which the red indicator and buzzer stop.

The device is now correctly adjusted.

Stud Detection Adjustment:

1. Rotate the stud sensitivity dial (5) fully downwards, then rotate it
upwards by a half turn.

2. Move the selector switch (6) to the “Stud Detector” position.

3. Position the stud detection face (1) against the surface.

4. Use the small screwdriver (15) to rotate the stud detector trimmer (11)
as appropriate.

If ONLY the green stud indicator (4) comes on:

a. Slowly turn the trimmer ANTICLOCKWISE and stop at the exact

point at which the red stud indicator (3) and buzzer are activated.

b. Slowly turn the trimmer CLOCKWISE until the exact point at

which the red indicator and buzzer stop.

If both the green (3) and red (4) stud indicators and the buzzer come

on:

a. Slowly turn the trimmer ANTICLOCKWISE until the exact point at

which the red indicator and buzzer stop.

The device is now correctly adjusted.

Metal/AC Voltage Detection
Adjustment

6 Fig.

Important: The adjustment mechanism is highly sensitive and only
requires small amounts of rotation. If large adjustments are made, it may

be very dicult to accurately recalibrate the unit. Warranty claims will
NOT be accepted if the device has been poorly adjusted by the user.

A small screwdriver (15) is supplied for device adjustment and is located
on the back of the battery compartment cover (10) (Fig. 5).

Stud Detection Adjustment

(11)

(12)

– 4 –

Maintenance and Disposal

8. Explanation of Symbols

7.1 Cleaning and Storage

•  Clean the product regularly using a dry cloth.

CAUTION! NEVER use aggressive chemicals to clean the product

as these may damage plastic or insulated parts.

•  Remove the battery before storing the product for extended periods.

•  Store the product in a clean and dry location, out of reach of children.

7.2 Replacing the Battery

7 Fig.

The detector is powered by a 9V PP3 type battery (supplied).

To connect or change a battery:

1. Unclip the battery compartment cover (10) on the back of the unit.

2. Remove the old battery from the compartment and disconnect it from
the contacts.

3. Connect a new battery and insert it into the compartment.

4. Replace the compartment cover.

If the device is powered, the power indicator (8) will illuminate when the
selector switch (6) is in the “AC Voltage/Metal Detector” position.

7.3 Disposal

At the end of its working life, or when it can no longer be repaired, dispose
of this product according to local regulations.

Contact your local authority for details of collection schemes in your
area.

In all circumstances:

•  DO NOT dispose of this product with domestic waste.

•  DO NOT incinerate.

•  DO NOT abandon in the environment.

•  Dispose of the battery in accordance with local regulations or return

it to your warranty agent or stockist for recycling.

•  DO NOT burn or mutilate batteries as this may release toxic or
corrosive materials.

Read the instruction
manual

Warning! UK Conformity Assessed

Do not abandon in the
environment

Do not incinerate or throw

onto re

European conformity

– 5 –

Contact Details

Draper Tools
Draper Tools Limited
Hursley Road
Chandler’s Ford
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO53 1YF
UK

Website: drapertools.com
Email: [e-mail]

Product Helpline: [phone]
Telephone Sales Desk: [phone]
General Enquiries: [phone]
General Fax: [phone]

Service / Warranty Repair Agents

For aftersales servicing or warranty repairs, please contact the Draper Tools Product
Helpline for details of an agent in your area.

Delta International

Delta International BV
Oude Graaf 8
6002 NL
Weert
Netherlands

© Published by Draper Tools Limited