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Go Further. Prospect Longer. Find More Gold.TM
GoldiBox Backpack Dredges are in their own class – they are not intended to replace or be compared to larger, louder, and heavier gas powered dredges.
GoldiBoxes are for prospectors and hobbyists who want to dredge with the lightest, most portable gear available, remain stealthy, and recover remote gold that is otherwise unreachable.
GoldiBoxes are silent – gas dredges are loud
GoldiBoxes are lightweight – gas dredges are heavy and cumbersome
GoldiBoxes can be taken virtually anywhere – gas dredges are larger and can’t transported to remote places or steeper terrain.
GoldiBoxes can be enjoyed by anyone – due to their size, gas dredges are typically run by several adults.
Think of it like this: The GoldiBox Backpack Dredge is the material processing unit just like the sluice box is on a traditional dredge setup. Neither the GoldiBox or the sluice creates the suction. The suction power is a function of the pump/motor, battery/gas and nozzle. The GoldiBox and sluice simply process whatever the nozzle sends it.
So the stronger the pump and battery, the better the suction.
A gas powered pump is stronger than a (12v) electric pump no matter what the processing unit is but there are things that can be done to boost the output of the electric pump which will in turn, increase suction. A 12 volt 3700 GPH pump operating between 12v-18v will deliver very good suction. Most pumps can handle a voltage higher than their rating and by doing so, will deliver huge performance gains. We’ve overvolted both the Oasis (recommended) and Johnson SPX brand pumps with 18v and achieved great results over dozens of outings.
This is a common question and it really depends on a few things: battery, pump and material composition.
With the optional cover the GoldiBox can be used as a submersible dredge and you can dredge to any depth. This allows unlimited dredging possibilities.
Without the cover, the GoldiBox Backpack Dredge is able to dredge to 3.5′ using the recommended configuration. At that depth, there is still ample suction to send material through the GoldiBox .
If you’re new to dredging, we recommend dredging no more than 2′ of overburden as a starting point and as you become more familiar with the system, you’ll go deeper and explore new methods and opportunities.
The GoldiBox is capable of moving a good amount of material but ideally, shallow bedrock is best because you can focus on sucking out cracks and crevices. – where the best gold (and most fun) is.
Several factors determine how much material the GoldiBox can process: Material Composition, run time, clearing overburden, etc.
Assuming the recommended setup (3700 GPH pump/12v 50ah LIFEPO4 battery) and dredging gravels, the GoldiBox can move approximately 1 to 1.5 cubic yards of material in about 3.5 hours. (That’s a hole 3′ x 3′ x 3′) When dredging bedrock CRACKS AND CREVICES and sucking out the compacted material, there’s less material to process but the gold recovery is much higher. Bedrock is where the best gold is.
We recommend a 12v LifePo4 battery (lithium phosphate) with a minimum capacity of 50ah. This provides between 3-3.5 hours of runtime with the recommended 3700 GPH pump. The Eco-Worthy brand has proven to be very reliable at great prices. We’ve done many capacity tests with their batteries and they are true to their spec. These are the same batteries that we use.
Amazon Link: Eco-Worthy 12v 50ah LIFEPo4 battery
We've been producing Backpack Dredges since 2020 and we have field tested virtually every pump out there- Johnson SPX, Rule, AMarine, Oasis , you name it we've used it and abused it. Many pump manufacturers overstate their performance claims, are overpriced, don't last that long, or can't handle being overvolted. For the past 2.5 years we have been recommending the Oasis Marine 3700 GPH 12v Bilge Pump. They have proven very reliable under years of use. This pump strikes a great balance between value and performance. It’s what we use. For your convenience we include free custom adapters for these pumps with the purchase of a GoldiBox Dredge Nozzle or a GoldiBox Backpack Dredge.
Amazon Link: Oasis Marine 3700 GPH 12v Bilge Pump
Your GoldiBox dredge requires two hoses.
The first is your pressure hose which goes from the pump to the nozzle. The pressure hose should be 1.25″ in diameter. We recommend a length of 6 feet for the pressure hose.
The second hose is the suction hose. This is the discharge hose going from the nozzle to the GoldiBox dredge. The suction hose should be 2″ in diameter. We recommend a length of 6-8 feet for the suction hose.
The GoldiBox has been tested extensively with varying hose lengths. Please use the recommended hose lengths to ensure maximum performance with minimal maintenance.
TIP: Smooth interior walled hoses work best as they provide the least internal friction. If smooth walled hoses are not an option, make sure to clean the suction hose out in a gold pan as the internal ridges act as riffles and can hold gold.
We recommend the following hoses from Keene. They are very flexible and are smooth walled. You will want 6' of each size.
Clearflow Suction Hose - You will want to get 6' of each size.
2" x 6' Discharge Hose (Nozzle Output) - https://www.keene.store/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SH2
1.25" x 6' Pressure Hose (Nozzle Input) - https://www.keene.store/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SH125
We provide our custom pump adapter/reducers with every nozzle and dredge purchase. The adapters twist fit on the pump spout and accept the 1.25″ hose. The pump adapter fits all pumps with a 40mm (OD) output spout.
Yes, the GoldiBox can be operated underwater as a submersible dredge using the optional cover. The lid uses a toolless design and is held securely in place by a rail system that allows for easy adding and removal of the cover.
Main Benefits
EVERYONE
Beginner prospectors love the Washplant's tool-less design and ease of use.
Experienced Prospectors appreciate the Washplant's versatility and exceptional gold recovery.
Women, senior and younger prospectors love how lightweight and portable the Washplant is.
The Base System allows you to use the GoldiBox Washplant as a Highbanker and a Stream Sluice right out of the box.
The Washplant Complete System includes the Washplant Base System & the GoldiBox Dredge Header Kit, enabling the Washplant to operate as a dredge.
The Dredge Header Kit can be added to the Washplant Base System at any time.
Since the GoldiBox Backpack Dredge uses the same nozzle as the Washplant , we wanted to offer a more affordable upgrade path to dredge with the Washplant.
If you want to use your GoldiBox Backpack Dredge Nozzle with the Washplant, then purchase the GoldiBox Washplant BASE System & the Washplant Dredge Header Kit WITHOUT the nozzle.
Here's how to do this:
When adding the Washplant to your cart, choose the Base System
When adding the Dredge Header Kit to your cart choose the No Nozzle option.
The GoldiBox Washplant includes custom rubber mats designed to recover fine and coarse gold.
They have been tested extensively in the field in dozens of locations over 100's of hours.
Different riffle patterns throughout the mats provide ample opportunity for gold to settle.
The mats snap into the sluice box and can be removed and cleaned out in under 30 seconds.
The Highbanker features a custom indicator mat for additional gold recovery and let's you know when you're on the gold.
The indicator mat recovers fine & chunkier gold and can be removed, cleaned out, and replaced in 10 seconds. Seriously.
The body of the sluice measures 21" long x 6.5" wide. This does not include the flare. This is the dimension of the sluice body for those wanting to use different matting.
The Washplant sluice box is powder coated aluminum. Color choices are Green, Blue and Purple.
YES, you can use your own mats.
Our custom mats perform great and are included with every Washplant but can be substituted with matting of your choice. The Washplant's sluice box dimensions are 21" (L) x 6.5" (W).
No, the GoldiBox Washplant cannot operate underwater.
If you need the ability to dredge underwater, the GoldiBox Backpack Dredge with the submersible dredge cover is a great option.
Yes, you can use the Nozzle Extension and Bedrock Attachment with the Washplant Dredge Header Kit.
The Dredge Header Kit includes our 2" High Performance Dredge Nozzle, which is compatible with both the 12" extension and the bedrock crack attachment.
These attachments enhance the nozzle's performance.
YES
The GoldiBox Dredge Header Kit is a great solution for prospectors looking to add dredging capabilities to their current stream sluice.
The GoldiBox Dredge Header Kit is very versatile and works with most 3rd party gear.
A fluid bed sluice box is a type of sluice box that uses fluid dynamics to wash material as it enters the trap. The design allows for efficient processing of material, making it a popular choice among prospectors. Fluid Bed Sluice boxes are known for their excellent fine gold recovery, ease of use and ultra portability.
Unlike a traditional sluice that uses riffles and/or matting, the trap of a fluid bed sluice is in a constant state of agitation (boil) that is caused by pressurized water inlets. These water jets displace the lighter material out the back of the trap while the heavier material (gold) settles to the bottom. Fluid Bed Sluice boxes are known for their superior gold recovery and ease of use. They are more forgiving and easier to run than a traditional sluice box. They can be setup and cleaned out in 30 seconds.
Below is a comparative chart showing the main differences between the two.
No. The GoldiBox Fluid Bed Sluice Box can run unclassified material. The grizzly screens act as the classifier so there is no need to classify. A traditional sluice with riffles or matting requires classification as the larger material will displace gold or cause the riffles and matting to not function properly. In medium to fast flow, a GoldiBox Fluid Bed Sluice Box will self classify and run virtually maintenance free.
We recommend the Oasis 12v 3700GPH pump. During development, we iterated dozens of our nozzle designs with different Venturi jet and pump impeller configurations. After 100’s of hours of real-world testing (in the field) with different pumps & voltages at different head (height) and with different material composition, we’ve found the Oasis Marine 3700 GPH 12v Bilge Pump to offer the best balance of performance, durability and value. They have proven very reliable after years of use. This is the same pump we recommend to use with the GoldiBox Backpack Dredge and is the pump we use. We include a free adapter that is designed to fit this pump and the recommended 1.25″ hose.
Amazon Link: Oasis Marine 3700 GPH 12v Bilge Pump
The GoldiBox Dredge Nozzle requires two hoses.
The first is the pressure hose which goes from the pump to the nozzle. The pressure hose should be 1.25″ in diameter. We recommend a length of 6 feet for the pressure hose.
The second hose is the suction hose. This is the discharge hose going from the nozzle (to the GoldiBox Backpack Dredge). The suction hose should be 2″ in diameter. We recommend a length of 6-9 feet for the suction hose.
TIP: Smooth interior walled hoses work best as they provide the least internal friction. If smooth walled hoses are not an option, make sure to clean the discharge hose out over a gold pan as the internal ridges act as riffles and can hold gold.
We recommend the following hoses from Keene. They’re what we use.
1.25″ Pressure Hose (Nozzle Input) – https://www.keene.store/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SH125
2″ Discharge Hose (Nozzle Output) – https://www.keene.store/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SH2
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. The stock GoldiBox Dredge nozzle was designed to be used with an electric pump. A gas powered pump is much stronger than an electric pump. We have tested our nozzles extensively with many different electric pumps operating at different voltages and we stand behind their durability. A gas engine is a different beast. Over time, a gas engine will even wear out a metal nozzle (high speed abrasives) so we don’t recommend using one. While we have used our nozzles with a gas engine, we have not done any long term durability testing with one.
Yes. We ship worldwide. We have customers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and all throughout Europe. Just add the products you want to your cart and go through the checkout process. All orders are shipped the same or next business day.
We ship daily Monday through Friday. Orders received by 1:00 pm PST ship the same day.
We keep all items in stock and we ship daily. Since we are the manufacturer, we always have the items you want when you want them. Our domestic (USA) customers generally receive their orders within 3 days of purchase. We pride ourselves on lighting fast shipping and exceptional customer service. Take that Amazon Prime!
Yes. All domestic orders over $65 ship for free.
2015 – GoldiBox 20″ Fluid Bed Sluice
2018 – GoldiBox Limited Edition 31″ Fluid Bed Sluice (available via custom order)
2019 – GoldiBox Highbanker – World’s first ultra-light, 3D printed high banker with 9″ wide sluice box
2020 – GoldiBox Backpack Dredge
2021 – GoldiBox 2″ Dredge Nozzle
2024 - GoldiBox GoldiBox Washplant All In One
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