Thread: Electronics storage

Originally Posted by LittleJohn

As the cold weather months is coming upon us,do you remove your electonics to warmer places or leave them on the boat.
LittleJohn

thats a good question. ive been wondering if the ex stream cold would harm my units also. i have my boat in a un heated garage .

Mine are in the house any time I'm not fishing.

Originally Posted by kosmo

thats a good question. ive been wondering if the ex stream cold would harm my units also. i have my boat in a un heated garage .

LOL you guys kill me. Kosmo your in KY. !!!!!! EXTREME COLD? Just kidding.
My older depth finder(eagle 480 or something) I never took off the boat. It sits outside all winter with temps as low as minus 30-40 degrees. Whatever mother nature gives us up here in the north. 20 or 30 below is not uncommon at all. It still works just fine but I am sure that it can't be good for it to get that cold. Now my new finder is tucked away in the nice warm cozy house. I didn't want to take any chances.
I have seen some asking about batteries over the winter too. I charge mine up to full charge just before I cover the boat for winter. Usually the first of Nov. but sometimes as late as Thanksgiving. Again it sits out all winter with no heat or charger hooked up. I don't usually get it back out until March-April. I am probably jinxing myself right now but I have never had a battery go bad over the winter. When I pull the boat out in Spring the cranking battery usually shows around 40-50% charge and the trolling batteries show around 60-70% charge. RRRRRRRRRRR I'm probably going to be sorry I said this. We will see in the spring. Supposed to get our second snow this coming Sunday/Monday. My fishing preparation now is getting new ice auger blades.

I move the two head units of my Humminbirds to the house because I don't want to chance it-too much $$$ and too easy to do. The batteries stay hooked up to a digital onboard charger that goes into trickle mode after 21 days and I've never had a battery freeze on me.

Originally Posted by CatFan

Mine are in the house any time I'm not fishing.

ditto mine go on the boat just before it goes in the water and come off as soon as it comes out.

The electronic components can take the heat/cold. It is the display that could be damaged by weather extremes. This is an important product specification. None of the manufacturers publish the max/min operating temperature range of their units. Might be an indirect way to dodge warranty claims. Just call me a skeptic.

Originally Posted by wannabe fisherman

ditto mine go on the boat just before it goes in the water and come off as soon as it comes out.

Ditto.

Mine come off the boat and in the house when not using.