Winterize fish finder?

[farsidefan1]

I live in Utah where we get pretty cold winters. I have a fish finder/ gps on my boat which could be removed. Temperatures occasionally get down to near zero. The boat is under a carport and I have a boat cover over it as well. My question is should I dig in and remove the device before it gets any colder? On my old boat I left it on year around but this unit is a bit more sophisticated. Should I worry? Thanks

 

[acarter92]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

IMHO I think it's one of those things that "It can't hurt". It was probably pretty expensive, if it unplugs then I would remove it... if you haven't already, I would also take your battery(s) inside too and put it on a trickle charger.

Austin

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

I agree ^^^^^

 

[Augoose]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

I'd remove the control unit if I were you or dig into the owners manual and read up on the temp tolerances if you want to leave it. The GPS should have a lithium battery in it which maintains some internal settings - the cold could zap it causing memory loss for preferences, etc.
I had a camera which I left overnight in the trunk of my car one winter in Alaska- it never turned back on despite a slow and gradual warmup.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

Always take your dash unit off the boat unless you are using it, this would include direct sun too. Neither seasons exposing this unit to will help and I assure you both can hurt.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

The operating temps for most units runs 0 -131 degree F. You should be good storing to -20 F

My Garmin is flush mounted and thus removal isn't an option. Going on 5 years, not problems. I worry more about the high temps than freezing.

 

[rpsloan]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

IMHO if it is removable, no matter what the item is, I would do so. Even when my Stratos sat in the garage I would remove my head units and anything else that could perpetually grow legs and walk out of the boat. Unfortunately it's the times we live in that makes me a bit more cautious about what stays in the boat when it get's stored more so than the weather.

 

[farsidefan1]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

Good info folks, thanks.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

Direct sunlight on your screen will fade it to some degree, and with some of the older units it's really evident. If you have a built in, just covering the screen do avid direct sunlight is a good plan. Otherwise take it off and store it, I have a nice cover that came with my Lorance, I use it all the time to protect it when not being used.

 

[farsidefan1]

Re: Winterize fish finder?

Direct sunlight on your screen will fade it to some degree, and with some of the older units it's really evident. If you have a built in, just covering the screen do avid direct sunlight is a good plan. Otherwise take it off and store it, I have a nice cover that came with my Lorance, I use it all the time to protect it when not being used.

Nice, My wife now has something to build me for Christmas