Anyone ever wear out a Vexilar?

[Iron Cowboy]

What are the signs? I have a 10+ year old Fl-8. today after a couple hours use I lost all colors except green. Now the battery is a couple years old so am thinking maybe it was just low, even though it was fully charged when I started, I dont have a charge meter on the unit to tell. I have heard of brushes wearing out on them but dont know any more than that. It wasnt getting louder than normal or anything. I will get a new battery and see what that does but was just wondering if anyone could give me a heads up fast answer before I get the battery. Just got in from the lake, fishing was tough to say the least.

[B-man715]

I would bet it's the battery. Hook it up to a different one (car, boat, etc) and see what it does, then go from there.

Been fortunate to never have the unit itself break on me. But have had to replace transducers, battery indicators, etc.

[maxpower117]

Not possible! Can't wear them out. Although you may need new brushes. I believe if you contact Vex, they can do it for you or they can sell you the kit to replace the brushes.

Always start with the battery though.

[highlife4me]

Vexilar recommends changing the brushes out every 5-7 years if your unit get used a lot. I have had mine for over 13 years and use it winter and summer and have not done anything to it except replace the battery. I also have a FL 12 for a spare and bought a FL 20 last spring so the 8 won't get used much anymore. Probably will send it in next year to have refurbished so I can give it to my son when he is old enough to go fishing with Dad.

[Iron Cowboy]

highlife, what does your fl-12 and 20 do different than the 8? I have no clue, never follow that next greatest thing when Im happy with what I have, I am curious though if Im missing out on something.

[highlife4me]

The 12 is just a glorified 8 with a flat screen. I got a good deal on it otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. The 20 on the other hand has the zoom feature which allows you to zoom in on the bottom. This works great for going after the fish that are hugging the bottom. I never thought this feature was necassary until I used one for a day on LOW.

[fishhuntwork]

Call the guys at Motor Clinic in Bloomington. They will point you in the right direction.

[LakeDocktor]

If your brushes are in need of cleaning or replacement, your colors will be dim. If you are getting just a couple of colors on the display, your battery is low or needs replacing. Change your battery and you will be fine.

[Iron Cowboy]

yep, sure enough it was just a bad battery. all is good now, thanks guys

[FISHINGURU]

Remember to charge your battery through out the summer, I always start off good and then forget at the end of summer/beginning of fall. I pretty much just buy a new battery every season.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

If you are buying a battery every fall then there must be something else wrong. Just checked my batteries and they were purchased fall of 2006.

[Iron Cowboy]

Lol capt H ..I wish I could get that much out of a battery.

[kerryd15]

Vexilar told me that brushes will cause loss of a color or 2, make it very noisy, or cause a black strip in the middle of a color mark.