Fish Finder Battery Not Charging

Saturday night I was doing my trip prep as usual. Plugged in my FF battery into the charger (both are from Hobie Battery Kit), to my surprise, the charger started blinking in red. I tried pluging and unpluging it a few time and it repeated the same thing, so I figured it is not charging. Has anyone experienced similar problem in the past? Any idea would could cause it and is it fixable?

Battery is about 1.5 year old. Used about 100 times and always have juice in it. Lithium Lead acid battery from Hobie. I usually charge it the night before and unplug the next morning before heading out (average 5-7 hours of charging).

I would check your connections. Could have a loose contact somewhere. Take the battery out and reconnect it.

I would check your connections. Could have a loose contact somewhere. Take the battery out and reconnect it.

The wire connected to the battery is sealed, so I doubt that is problem. Maybe it is the pin inside the plug? It is a little rusted, but I was able to use it a week ago no problem.

Do you have a volt meter?
It's a must to have diagnose the problem.

Do you have a volt meter?
It's a must to have diagnose the problem.

Could you recommend one?

Do you have a volt meter?
It's a must to have diagnose the problem.

Could you recommend one?

You can get a multimeter at harbor freight for under $10.

did you store it for a while after a full drain?  Lead acid cannot handle that well.  You could probably replace it with another LA but i'd probably find a way to go lithium with the amount of times you use it.

Do you have a volt meter?
It's a must to have diagnose the problem.

Could you recommend one?

There are cheap to expensive one, just like any tool.

For occasional use, this one will do.
https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=volt+meter&qid=1553535981&s=gateway&sr=8-3

You can get a multimeter at harbor freight for under $10.

Will look into it. Thanks Dough!

There are cheap to expensive one, just like any tool.

For occasional use, this one will do.
https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=volt+meter&qid=1553535981&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Thanks Chet! That probably should do for me. I don't have a lot of battery anyway.

did you store it for a while after a full drain?  Lead acid cannot handle that well.  You could probably replace it with another LA but i'd probably find a way to go lithium with the amount of times you use it.

I don't think I ever fully drained it. I have heard lithium is the way to go. Probably this is a sign for switch?

I had problems charging my lead acid battery in the past. I think oxidation had built up on the terminals preventing a good connection. I cleaned them and solved the problem. Then I got a lithium battery and really solved the problem.

I had problems charging my lead acid battery in the past. I think oxidation had built up on the terminals preventing a good connection. I cleaned them and solved the problem. Then I got a lithium battery and really solved the problem.

that is very good to know. Thanks! where did you get your lithium battery?

I had problems charging my lead acid battery in the past. I think oxidation had built up on the terminals preventing a good connection. I cleaned them and solved the problem. Then I got a lithium battery and really solved the problem.

that is very good to know. Thanks! where did you get your lithium battery?

I like these:
https://dakotalithium.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

I like these:
https://dakotalithium.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

Any specific model? It will be the best if I can still use the hobie battery kit holder.

Do you have a volt meter?
It's a must to have diagnose the problem.

Could you recommend one?

There are cheap to expensive one, just like any tool.

For occasional use, this one will do.
https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=volt+meter&qid=1553535981&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Chet, I tested the battery, it is 11.5 after 12 hours charging. The charger reads 13.5. Does this means the battery is done?