Vexilar Question

[Ishmel]

Hey all,

I have a FL-8SLT that I've been using for a couple of years. I've been having trouble with it since the last few trips last year. It lights up right away, but after a few minutes, the yellows disappear and kind of bleed into the greens, then after a while all the colors get somewhat dim and the lines don't appear as sharply as when I first start out. I thought it might be a bad battery, but I replaced it and am having the same problem. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what might be causing the problem? Any suggestions on fixing it?

I really appreciate your help.

Ishmel

[Ed Carlson]

The first thing I would try is swapping a Ducer with a friend and see if it acts the same.

Then if it still appears to be fading out you may need to have the Vex folks look it over. The display may be in need of replacement? A new kit to replace the display is not too high and you should get the unit back in less then a week if you mail it in. If you go to the Vex shop they will likely get it fixed in less then an hour.

Check the ducer first.

[Surface Tension]

From what you described I would have thought battery too. I wonder if the motor is drawing too much juice. Like Ed said, you might want to have Vex take a look at it.

[Farley]

Where could a guy bring in his vexilar to be fixed, besides sending it into Vexilar? I have a similar problem but I think mine is the motor itself.

[Chris Haley]

I would second Ed's ducer idea!! These aren't made to be tossed into the back of the truck and yanked out of the hole and dropped on the ice when you catch a fish.

[Ed Carlson]

A rebuild kit for the brush's runs about $20 and requires a bit of soldering and electronics knowledge, but it can be done. You order them from Vex direct, call the service department.

The deal is you do not know it is that and you may be doing overkill. I still highly recommend you have the service folks look things over and then you will know it is ready to roll. They are fast and the service is tops. A 3 day turn-around is common on repairs.

Another thing to try is clean the surface of the Ducer, it may be coated with grime. Also check the pins on the connection of the Ducer to the unit, they may be dirty or bent. If the display is noisy and growls a lot it is likely in need of a kit.

[Slab-Slayer]

How much is a battery???? I have been charging mine for the last 18 hours and I think its junk. the battery is 4 years old....thanks for any help or info.

[Northlander]

Get the 12 volt 9 amp not the 7 amp. They are around $25 give or take a few bucks depending on what type you get.

[Ed Carlson]

A good deep Cycle one for the Vex is $19 and comes with a charger.

If the battery you have does not fully charge in 18 hours it is likely bad.

[Slab-Slayer]

I dug my Vex FL-8 out of the closet yesterday, charged it for 6 hours, nothing, charged it over night and still nothing....

[Ishmel]

I talked to the guy at Vexs' service department. TERRIFIC people there btw. He said that it is most likely the battery and said that it's probably not charged enough. I mentioned that when I first plugged it in the light on the charger comes on and stays on for quite a while then goes out. He said if the battery is deeply discharged it can take three or for days for it to fully charge again.

[JEV]

I had the same symptoms you are having happen to me this last week. I had taken my vex out of storage and through it on the charger for a day or so. I am pretty sure it is the battery on my unit. I could shut the vex off and wait 10 minutes and then turn it back on. It would work fine for a while. When I got home I put it on the charger again and used it the next day. I only fished half a day but I had no problems.

[Ed Carlson]

Kewl, lets hope that is all it is.

When storing you should recharge the battery every couple of months to keep them on the best side of full.

[Chris Haley]

Ya, but he said he bought a new battery.

[Ishmel]

I did buy a new battery, but didn't charge it before taking it out . And I'm not really good at charging every few months during the off-season. Out of site out of mind.

[EBass]

I had some display issues with my vex. It ended up being the battery to. Do you have a multi-meter? When the Volts go below 12V my vex has issues. I did get a refurb battery from vex and it's all good now and has been for a few months. I agree, nice people at vex. Go there and get some free salmo stickers along with quick service.

[danny berg]

Along the same subject, I have two vex batteries, both with the smart charger, I notice that the battery drains faster with the smart charger attached, one of the smart chargers the charge light doesn't come on, and I can't get the battery to take a charge, even when disconnecting the smart charge.