adamm1 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I bought a used fl-8 and it is having a few problems. when I bought it I turned it on and it seemed to be fine. I turned it on it spun a couple of colors showed up a top screwing with the gain made more colors show up right now it when you turn it on the fish alarm goes off continuously and the lights come on for a little bit and then shut off while the disc keeps spinningHere is what I have done1) switched out the transducer. it came with a puck style transducer i bought a 19 degree floating one I was planning on using the puck style for open water. 2)charged the battery initially the lights went off then after I charged the bat for a few hours it seemed to work normally 3) cleaned the inside and the contacts for the brushes per the instructions on vexilar's HSOforum. The colors were dim and the unit was filthy when I opened it up I found a lot of dust and the rings were dark but it all cleaned up well i couldn't see and burn marks on the board or other signs of problemsFinally i have a few questions about normal functioning of a vex1) when you turn it on out of water should it function the same as out of water. What i mean is should it be able to pick up my hardwood floor as the bottom if I hold it 5 feet off the ground should I be able to see my fingers pass under the transducer?2) What does a failing battery cause a vex to do? I have no idea of the condition of the battery it came with3) is there a problem using a 12v battery. This is a vexilar battery but they only sell 9 and 7 on the HSOforum 4)is there anything else anyone can think of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamm1 Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 one more thing I tested the battery it is reading 10.5v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hard617 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I dont understand #3? they are all 12v batterys, just the amps/hr is different. get the 9 amp/hr if you are going to replace it. Mine does not pick up the floor, etc. when it is out of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamm1 Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 yeah sorry I read the HSOforum incorrectly I do not know the amps the label doesn't say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey lee Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 If you have a buddy that has a good battery, I would try a battery that you now is good. If that doesb,t work, call Vexilar and they will be more than happy to help you trouble shoot your problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rope Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 If you look on the web site,look for the tip on ice ducers.It will teach you how to set up the transducer to shoot properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntnfish Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I agree with Harvey. Try a different battery. Any 12 volt battery will work to do a test. I would say that 10.5 volts are a little low for the unit to work properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamm1 Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 Will do thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Carlson Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 If the battery sat poorly charged for an extended period it may take up to 6 days to recharge fully again..or it could be shot. Try a known good battery and see, and if it is shot replace it with a 9 amp 12 V and you should be good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 My FL8 pickes up my hardwood floors, but since water is denser then air there is a multiple of 3. 3 feet will equal a reading of 9 feet. and if I put my hand under the puck it does show up on the vex. I've had my battery run low and it will start to act up, but mostly it's just not as bright, then it'll just not show up anymore. BTW a 12v battery at full charge should read 12.3volts or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipperybob Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The speed of sound in air is about 342 meters per second, while in freshwater it's about 1500 meters per second. In essence it should be closer to a multiple of four. I always wonder why I can't get a foot reading when I put my hand under the transducer only about a foot away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick G Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 All sounds normal except the battery. A fully charged 7-9 amp sealed battery should hold a charge of between 12.3 - 13.1 volts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FISHINGURU Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 my battery may have taken a dump also...i took it out with low juice and ran it almost dead...i couldn't see the battery light to tell how much juice i had in the bright sun.it ran fine for awhile then the lights around the screen just kept spinning like a wheel...so i shut her down...now its been plugged in for 3 days and still isn't fully charged....i drained it before on fishing trips but i never remembering it taking this long to fully charge.sounds like yours is a battery issue also imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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