Vexilar FL-8 problem

[calli4120]

I posted this in the equipment forum yesterday but figured I'd get a better response here.

I have an older Vexilar FL-8 and on a recent trip, all of the colors except the red went out. It still reads fish and the bottom correctly but everything is in red.

I sent an e-mail to vexilar support but haven't gotten a response back yet.

I know that bad batteries can cause issues but I don't think that is the case with mine. Has anyone else had this problem?

[CrappieAttitude]

Have you actually replaced the battery? My dad had all sorts of problems which were all cured by giving it new juice. Even though a meter might tell you that it is decent, I would spend the $15 bucks to get a new one before digging into it.

Worst case scenerio...You have a brand new battery for future use. Best case scenerio.....your problem is solved.

CA

[calli4120]

I haven't actually replaced the battery yet but it did test fine with a meter.

I'll pick up a new battery tomorrow and try it since I got the same suggestion from the Vexilar repair department.

Thanks for the help, you guys are the best.

Adam

[SwimRunFly]

That one is a little strange. I would suggest that you take your FL-8 into a sporting goods store that sells Vexilars and first try a new battery, then maybe a new transducer and etc. This would be a quick way of narrowing down the issue. Be patient, Vexilar tech support is normally pretty good about getting back with you. Good luck!

[eurolarva]

Fully charged battery will read about 12.65 to 12.75 Volts. If it read 12 volts it is fried. Another thing about testing battery voltage you want to do it a day after you charge it. If you test it as soon as you charge it chances are you will read arount 13.5 Volts.

[Mark Gangl]

mine does it whenn the battery is dead, all a bad transducer did was show just 1/2 inch of red at the top. i use mine on my truck battery often when its dead, you could just try that vs buying a new bat. to test it

[calli4120]

Well, I replaced the battery and the Vex still only displays red. I checked the power cable for damage and there is nothing. I'll have to bring it in to vexilar for service.

Thanks to all who replied.

Adam

[calli4120]

I made a stop at Vexilar on the way home to drop off my FL-8. They took it right back to the tech bench and started working on it. 30 Minutes later, I walked out with a totally overhauled FL-8. The customer service was awesome.

Vexilar earned a life long customer today!

[anyfishwilldo]

What kind of $ did they pinch you for?

[Down Deep]

What was the problem with your unit?

[calli4120]

It was about $50 in parts and $40 for the labor.

[calli4120]

Quote:

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What was the problem with your unit?

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1 of my brushes just worn out and broke. I found out that my FL-8 was built in 1990 so 17 years of use is pretty good.

Beside the replacement brushes, I had them do some extra preventative maintainence. I need this old Vex to last for awhile since my FL-18 was stolen.