When to change the brushes on a Vexilar

[Fish On! Guide Service]

Anyone have an idea when the brushes on the Vex should be changed? I have a fl-8 slt, with an approximate age of 7-8 years. The reason I ask is that my "marks" on my sonar have several "ghostmarks" trailing it. My lines aren't as crisp as they used to be, so Is it time to change the brushes?

Thanks,

Stephen

[Fish On! Guide Service]

I should've went to the Vexilar site before I posted this. I just got done cleaning the unit and sanding the copper rings per instuctions and everything appears to be in normal working condition again

[broncosguy711]

where did you find it on the vexilar site? just curious as I was out there unable to find "cleaning" directions.

thanks-

Broncs

[Augusta]

I have a SLT 8 as well, could you let me in on where you learned to do all this.

[Fish On! Guide Service]

How to Clean Your FL Unit's Brush Contacts

Remove the two screws from the back cover, unplug the power and transducer jacks from the PC board, and remove the back cover. Next, remove the control knobs from the front of the case (the allen size is 1.5mm). Remove the four screws that hold the PC board in place and remove the board.

Using compressed air, blow out all of the brush dust from in and around the wheel assembly and wash the front case, inside and out, with soap and water.

To clean the brush contacts, make a tool by stapling a small piece of fine sandpaper to the end of a popsicle stick. Connect the rear case power jack to the PC board and turn the unit on. Be careful of the spinning wheel! Insert the tool you made between the board and the spinning wheel. Clean the three brass rings until they are shinny. Clean the three brass rings until they are shinny. Run the unit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature to re-seat the brushes. This should increase your light intensity to where it was when the unit was new.

If the brush contacts are worn significantly, you should replace them.

This information came directly from their HSOforum. I found cleaning the contacts as an extremely easy task and not nearly as complicated as I had imagined.

[Augusta]

Thanks for the info, I am going to give it a try.

[nluchau]

Id like to see what the inside of the vex looks like - anyone got picks. I dont want to take mine apart since I just got it and it works fine.

Thanks in advance

[harvey lee]

Just did mine and yes a pretty easy job.

[berke99]

Just did my vexilar, very easy to do. I can't wait to use it this weekend. I use my vexilar every time I fish, even in the summer. I couldn't even begin to guess how many hours I have used it. A great unit!

[Fish On! Guide Service]

Easier then expected?

[Surface Tension]

Fish On, great info. Thanks

[89Bronco]

Thanks Fish-On! I use mine during the summer as well. It shoots right through a canoe bottom.

[Bobb-o]

my vex has several very light "ghost marks" from aboot 0-4 feet that are red and green. would sanding the brushes fix this problem?