Vex battery dying?

[Pigmeat]

Last night my Vex battery crapped out for the first time ever, after maybe 6 hours. Took it off the charger just before I left and when I put it back on this am the green "charged" light came on pretty quick (not sure exactly how long, tho). Is there a way to test it or does this behavior mean it's dying?

[Sculpin]

Over time, my experience has been that they will in fact show full charge on an indicator, but will not in fact run for more than a few hours, if they are dying, death may be imminent. I generally get three winters out of mine and they are shot, sometimes only two.

[Pigmeat]

14 hours ago, Sculpin said:

Over time, my experience has been that they will in fact show full charge on an indicator, but will not in fact run for more than a few hours, if they are dying, death may be imminent. I generally get three winters out of mine and they are shot, sometimes only two.

That seems about right. Thanks!

[BobT]

Hmm. I just ordered my first replacement after over 10 years of use. Are you properly charging your battery? It should be charged every time you are done using it. Never, never, never discharge it completely and then recharge. Doing so just once can take about half the life out of it. 

Search YouTube for Vexilar Battery Tips by Tom Zenanko for a great explanation.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

https://youtu.be/fYNb7qMVXzM

[Sculpin]

I am pretty religious about charging, and having watched Zenanko's spiel, I think I am doing things the right way. The only thing I can say is I typically use 7 amp hour batteries vs. 9, save a buck. I also run two flashers most of the time, especially if I am in a shack, one on each hole, and I frequently put in quite a few 8/10 hour days. 

I should also qualify and say I also use up some battery time in the summer.

I don't think I have had a battery last five years.. 

[BobT]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Just thought I'd mention it in case it could be helpful. Could try using 9AH batteries so you don't deep-cycle them so far. That may help with the life expectancy.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have never even tried to get 5 years out of a depth finder battery!

For $20 bucks or so at Fleet farm I buy a new 9A  battery every couple of years and avoid having the battery go dead half way through a days fishing!

Can save the used one for a back-up if you like too.

Cliff

[OldBear]

I replaced mine this year which I bought new winter 05-06.  Always charged it after each use and every couple months when not using it. Its suppose to have a 9am battery so thats what I replaced it with.  Maybe thats why I got so much mileage on it.

[paceman]

I disconnect and charge after every use. Last 5-7 years.

[Tom Sawyer]

I always have a backup, because finding out an old battery just went bad on the ice sucks! They may show and be completely charged at home, but 2 hours into fishing go to hell.

[Cheers]

are the 9 amp battery's the same physical size as the 7s ?

[leech~~]

27 minutes ago, Cheers said:

are the 9 amp battery's the same physical size as the 7s ?

Yes they are. For the few bucks I will always go with a 9ah now.

[Hawg]

Careful, some of them use the bigger spade connectors so you might have to change your ends. Very simple but be ready.

[BobT]

I was surprised. My new 9Ah battery arrived last Friday and when I removed the original one from my Genz Pack it was a 7Ah. I guess I got my money's worth out of that battery. I bought the unit new in 2007.