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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Ice Fishing With Electronics => Topic started by: xxxbeer247 on Jan 19, 2019, 07:56 PM

Title: Vexilar problems
Post by: xxxbeer247 on Jan 19, 2019, 07:56 PM
I went to use my vexilar fl-8 this morning and on what I thought was a fully charged battery...... and nothing. Highly frustrated I plugged it in tonight and the charger went to green light immediately claiming it was fully charged. So it turns on and functions while the charger is hooked up but as soon as I unplug the charger the whole unit goes dead? Without being plugged in nothing happens as you turn it on. Is this most likely just a bad battery or is the whole unit shot? It is only 5 years old too btw.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: ronco on Jan 19, 2019, 08:01 PM
Sounds like your battery
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: holehopper on Jan 19, 2019, 08:04 PM
For sure the battery.  If it is the Vex itself, i would be shocked. 
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: SizeMatters on Jan 19, 2019, 08:07 PM
Try a different charger.  I had one do the same thing.  Bought two new batteries and found out a week later it was the charger that was bad.  I now use a Battery Minder charger.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: spoofhoundicefisher on Jan 19, 2019, 08:08 PM
Battery for sure.  Do you have another battery you could swap it out with or a buddie you could borrow his and test it out. 
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: meandcuznalfy on Jan 19, 2019, 08:09 PM
Sounds like a bad battery
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: paul82 on Jan 19, 2019, 08:30 PM
My fl8 is 11 years old and runs like new, I change battery once few years back, try discharge and charge few times at summer time, unused battery go fast....
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: xxxbeer247 on Jan 19, 2019, 08:39 PM
Thanks everyone. I do turn it on occasionally during the summer months as I was told to do but given the responses I will be ordering a new one immediately. 
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: icejohn on Jan 19, 2019, 09:22 PM
I had avec fl-8 for 15-20yrs.  Changed batteries once and once charger....not bad....yours I think battery. Now have marcum m-1...changed battery after 1st year..the 7ah battery sometimes didn't last all day...changed to 9ah and fine now.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: wec on Jan 20, 2019, 06:06 AM
Had same thing happen to me this week with FL18, turned out to be loose connection on battery.  Sounds like charger if all connections ok.  Call Vexilar, their customer service is great, and will troubleshoot what the problem is.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: Zpotter on Jan 20, 2019, 08:15 AM
Need new battery for sue
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: PACKERBACKER on Jan 20, 2019, 09:48 AM
I went to use my vexilar fl-8 this morning and on what I thought was a fully charged battery...... and nothing. Highly frustrated I plugged it in tonight and the charger went to green light immediately claiming it was fully charged. So it turns on and functions while the charger is hooked up but as soon as I unplug the charger the whole unit goes dead? Without being plugged in nothing happens as you turn it on. Is this most likely just a bad battery or is the whole unit shot? It is only 5 years old too btw.
I could be wrong but I believe that the on/off switch of the Vexilar should be in the "on" position while charging. It may be worth giving this a try before buying a new battery.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: Fishmon on Jan 20, 2019, 09:59 AM
Test it with different 12v battery.  Should let you know quick if you need new battery or a repair.  I would guess from what you described that battery is bad.  Check terminals for corrosion, etc. to see if that is the problem.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Jan 20, 2019, 10:02 AM
If it works on the charger but stops working after its the off charger.dead cells in battery.cant take a load.that how vexilar recommends checking the unit.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: icefishinman88 on Jan 20, 2019, 03:18 PM
A few have said it try a new charger. Gator clip ones work the best in case the plug to the unit itself were broke
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: icefishnfreak on Jan 20, 2019, 03:46 PM
My battery did the same thing, green light and all. New battery from runnings $23 and I was back in business
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: trapper2000 on Jan 20, 2019, 05:05 PM
ask someone if you can hook up their battery that will tell you in a second
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: redspinner on Jan 21, 2019, 07:31 AM
Same here,out once this year vex was fine,On the ice. tryed to charge battery green light. 12v was only 9.6v.On my way for new battery! Have fun tight lines.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: hardwater diehard on Jan 21, 2019, 07:37 AM
Good video in general ...5:14 mark to test unit


Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: xxxbeer247 on Jan 21, 2019, 10:17 AM
I ordered a new 9ah battery on eBay for $22. Buddy has a charger I can try also just to be sure it’s not that. Should be back in business for the weekend! Thanks again to all that replied
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: Monticatgeek on Jan 22, 2019, 10:38 AM
I will bet it is a bad battery. I just had this happen on a reconditioned fish scout camera I got from Vexilar. battery ended up only putting out 6 volts when I checked it with a volt meter. this meant I had half the battery shot. replaced the battery and was good to go.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: ship of fools on Feb 28, 2019, 07:25 AM
I could be wrong but I believe that the on/off switch of the Vexilar should be in the "on" position while charging. It may be worth giving this a try before buying a new battery.

You are correct if it has an on/off switch. My FL20 has one - my FL18 did not.
Title: Re: Vexilar problems
Post by: Iceattic on Feb 28, 2019, 08:03 AM
I had the same issue, bought a new battery and no issues. My old batteries where 2 yrs old. My new batteries I tried the old charger and still get the green light after using them. So I just use my marine battery charger .