Storing Electronics in Cold Climates?

[JJ-B-Boatin]

Quick question for those of you who winterize and live in freezing, snowy climates: Do you pull your GPS/Locator and store it indoors or do you keep it hooked up in the boat? I have a lowrance elite 5 that was installed this spring and not sure if I should pull it, or just keep it hooked up? I store in an insulated, unheated metal pole building. What do you think?

 

[VONCE]

I vote for pulling it out. I doubt the liquid in the LCD display will freeze, but why chance it...

 

[biglar155]

Yes. I remove my GPS, radio face plate, compass (I installed aftermarket compass with a quick-release base), first aid kit, fire extinguishers, ... pretty much anything that I might even THINK has a chance of being bothered by the cold.

 

[buckbuck]

Hmmm...never even considered this. All I have is the radio face plate that is at risk. I have not done it yet and it has seen well below 0 degrees. So far no problem but I think I will pull it next time.

 

[swatski]

The Connext (w/LCD screen) stays put. So far no reports of weather related damage, but those have only been out for about two years.

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[Murf'n'surf]

Don't forget to bring in your blow out plugs. They get water trapped inside which freezes and can distort the plastic body and lead to blowouts.

 

[buckbuck]

Murf, murf, murf...Those are 'clean out' plugs. What are you trying to insinuate?

 

[buckbuck]

and what authority do you have on the topic of freezing? Beautiful sunsets, how to protect your upholstery form the sun, flushing with Salt-Away...I will defer to you. But freezing?!

 

[Mainah]

Don't forget to bring in your blow out plugs. They get water trapped inside which freezes and can distort the plastic body and lead to blowouts.

Now they tell me I thought I did everything one could think of for what is hopefully my last winter in Maine. Unfortunately my boat is already wrapped. I did turn the plugs sideways at the top of the manholes but did not think about water getting inside of the plugs themselves. Hopefully all will turn out well.

Is this on any of the winterzation threads? If so I missed it.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

and what authority do you have on the topic of freezing? Beautiful sunsets, how to protect your upholstery form the sun, flushing with Salt-Away...I will defer to you. But freezing?!

I came from the grey sky's of the North...I remember freezing quite well!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Now they tell me I thought I did everything one could think of for what is hopefully my last winter in Maine. Unfortunately my boat is already wrapped. I did turn the plugs sideways at the top of the manholes but did not think about water getting inside of the plugs themselves. Hopefully all will turn out well.

Is this on any of the winterzation threads? If so I missed it.

I've mentioned it a bunch of times but not sure it ever got much traction.

 

[JJ-B-Boatin]

Thanks for the comments. I currently left it in the boat, but next time I visit it, I will be sure to pull it. Better safe than sorry!