VEXILAR FL-18 Owner's Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. VEXILAR Manuals
  4. Marine Radio
  5. FL-18
  6. Owner's manual

VEXILAR FL-18 Owner's Manual

Hide thumbs Also See for FL-18:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

FL-18 Owner's Manual
CONTENTS
revolutionized the flasher market. Now, with the FL-18, we bring you
the first ever split-screen zoom flasher.
Founded in 1960, Vexilar, Inc. has a long history of
bringing revolutionary technology to the sport fish-
ing industry. Just some of the Vexilar firsts include:
the first liquid crystal display, the first fish alarm, the
first three color display, the first CRT and the first
straight line paper graphs for the sport fisherman.
And over the last twelve years, the Vexilar FL-8 has
1
2
3
4
4
5 - 8
9 - 11
12 - 16
17 - 20
21
22
23
24 - 26
27 - 28
29

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the FL-18 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for VEXILAR FL-18

Summary of Contents for VEXILAR FL-18

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    CRT and the first straight line paper graphs for the sport fisherman. And over the last twelve years, the Vexilar FL-8 has revolutionized the flasher market. Now, with the FL-18, we bring you the first ever split-screen zoom flasher.

  • Page 2: General Description

    Interference Rejection (IR) Technology. This lets the user "filter out" unwanted interference from another nearby depth sounder. With a wide variety of transducers and accessories to choose from, the Vexilar FL-18 is a sure fit for any appli- cation.

  • Page 3: Specifications

    0-30', 0-60', 0-90', 0-120', and 0-300' - Custom Deep Model Transducer The transducer included with your FL-18 determines the beam, or cone, angle and the mounting application. Please refer to the packaging to determine which transducer you have. A complete list of transducers available is listed on pages 27 and 28.

  • Page 4: Unit Installation

    INSTALLATION To be able to use the FL-18, you must provide the unit with power and mount the transducer in an appropriate location. UNIT INSTALLATION Find a convenient place to mount the unit. This may include a boat seat, deck, dash, or a portable case.

  • Page 5: Transducer Installation

    TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION There are three basic types of transducers to consider: High Speed, Puck Style, and the Ice-Ducer System. HIGH SPEED TRANSDUCERS When choosing an area to mount the transducer, keep in mind that you need clear water flow across the face of the transducer to insure a clear reading at all speeds.
  • Page 6 PUCK STYLE TRANSDUCERS There are three ways in which a Puck Style trans- ducer can be mounted. It can be mounted In-Hull, on an electric trolling motor, or portable (with a suction cup or on an arm of some type). Puck Style Transducer IN-HULL MOUNTING...
  • Page 7 It is a good idea to tie on a safety rope in case the cup does let go. There are three suction cup brackets available for the FL-18. The BK0023 and the BK0027 are made to attach the Puck style transducers to a boat for use at slow speeds.
  • Page 8 THE ICE-DUCER™ SYSTEM* The Ice-Ducer system provides a quick and easy way to set up the trans- ducer for ice fishing. All of the adjustments needed to find the true per- pendicular point are done automatically. To use the Ice-Ducer, simply adjust the transducer to the desired depth and drop the assembly in the ice hole.

  • Page 9: Operation

    OPERATION Figure H shows the three main controls of the FL-18. They include Power and Range control, Mode Setting control, and Gain control. POWER AND RANGE CONTROL The knob located at the bottom of the control panel turns the unit on and selects which range is to be used.
  • Page 10 BL, or Bottom Lock, mode works in the same way as the AZ mode. The only difference is that once the FL-18 finds the bottom, it locks it in posi- tion on the zoom view. The bottom will change position with depth on...
  • Page 11 The I.R. feature has ten steps of rejection to let you eliminate unwanted interference from another nearby depth finder. When you turn on the FL-18, the I.R. automatically comes on to the first step. If neces- sary, press the Gain knob repeatedly until the interference is eliminated.

  • Page 12: Typical Indications

    FINDING THE DEPTH To read the proper depth on the FL-18, you will need to turn the unit on to an appropriate range. First make sure you are in the Normal mode. Then turn the Range knob to the right one click. The signal at the 12 O’clock position on the dial is the “zero mark”.
  • Page 13 Gain about half way and continue clicking the range switch to the right until it does show a bottom signal. Once you find the bottom signal, line up the leading edge with the closest white depth mark on the scale. Refer to figure J and K.
  • Page 14 Figure L shows a typical ice fishing situation with the FL-18 set to the Auto Zoom mode. Notice that the right side of the display shows the entire water column and the left side only the bottom six feet.
  • Page 15 However, Fish B and the bait are more than six feet from the bottom so they do not appear in the zoom view. Figure M shows a typical open water situation where the FL-18 is set to the Bottom Lock mode. It is important to note that when the depth exceeds the selected range, the Bottom Lock feature will lose its lock on the bottom.
  • Page 16 ICE FISHING Ice fishing brings out the best in the FL-18. The stable platform of ice lets you concentrate on your bait and the fish around it. The bottom becomes less important because it never changes. The only movement on the display is of your bait and fish.

  • Page 17: Frequently Asked Questions

    How Long Will My Battery Last On The FL-18? Run Time - The FL-18 draws about 275 mA, or about a quarter of an amp of current The unit will run good until the battery voltage drops to about 10 volts. Below this point you will notice lower sensitivity, as well as, a much dimmer display.
  • Page 18 Will The FL-18 Read Through The Ice? The FL-18 will easily read through ice, provided the ice is CLEAR ICE and not MILKY ICE. Remember, the transducer must have good contact with the surface of the clear ice. A bottom indication should appear on the sounders dial at an appropriate depth.
  • Page 19 FL-18 will reestablish the bottom again. It takes about 5 seconds for the unit to establish a new bottom zoom. If the boat is mov-...
  • Page 20 FL-18 will think that the depth has changed and lock on the new signal instead of the real bottom. This appears to you as the target sud- denly disappearing from the display. What has happened is that the Bottom Lock has locked onto the new strong signal.

  • Page 21: Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE Permanent Mount With permanent mount applications, the power cord is left connected to the source, the transducer is not easily removed, and the gimbal brack- et is screwed to the seat, deck, or dash. Under these conditions mainte- nance is very simple because nothing changes once the unit is installed. Because of this, problems can sneak up on you if you're not careful.

  • Page 22: Transducer Beam Angle Chart

    This can be an advantage if you are fishing in deep water or a detriment if you are fishing shallow. A narrow beam transducer can be overpowering in shallow water. The use of the LP mode on your FL-18 will solve this problem.

  • Page 23: Trouble Shooting Chart

    TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART Symptom Possible Cause Unit is turned on, but no Check for bad connections, proper hook display and motor is not up polarity, and make sure you have a running. good, fully charged, battery. Unit is turned on and Battery voltage too low.

  • Page 24: Accessories And Other Products

    ECONOMY CARRYING CASE The P-100 carrying case is simple, sturdy, and inex- pensive. It is an easy way to mount the Vexilar FL- Series and many other depth finders and GPS. Made of strong ABS plastic, this case can take abuse at any time of year.
  • Page 25 GPS systems, and marine radios. Includes hole covering gasket and mounting hardware. MAG SHIELD The Mag Shield magnifies the display of any Vexilar FL-Series flasher. It also protects the display from debris falling into it. Easily installs with a friction fit.
  • Page 26 The CLC-200 Five-Color LCD The CLC-200 is a five-color LCD depth finder with great multi-colored resolution at an afford- able price. It’s available in either the popular Boundary Waters portable version (shown) or with a releasable swival ProMount mounting system. The FL-10 In-Dash Color Flasher The FL-10 is designed to fit in the stan- dard in-dash mounting hole in your boat.
  • Page 27 Transducers and Accessories TB0044 - 19° Transom Mount High Speed Transducer. Comes with the Mounting Bracket and 25 Feet of Cable. TK184 - Complete Mounting Kit. Comes with TB0084 Transducer, FL Power Cord, Unit Mounting Bracket, and all the Hardware You Need to do the Job Right. TB0084 - 12°...

  • Page 28: Transducers

    TB0087 - 12° Puck Transducer. For Mounting on a Electric Trolling Motor, In-Hull Mounting, Portable Use, or Ice Fishing. Comes with 25 Feet of Cable. TB0032 - Dual Beam 9/19° Puck Transducer. For Mounting on a Electric Trolling Motor, In-Hull Mounting, Portable Use, or Ice Fishing. Comes with 25 Feet of Cable.

  • Page 29: Service And Support

    If you find that you need help please contact us. Have ready the model number and, if possible, the serial number of your product. Be sure to read the Frequently Asked Question and Trouble Shooting sections first. Address Vexilar, Inc. 200 W. 88th St. Minneapolis, MN, 55420-2752 Telephone...
  • Page 30 Notes...

Table of Contents