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1. 

   stripbuilder
   Member

   During the 2012 EC my GPS quit working at Marko Island when it was dark and I needed it. I'm interested in ways that watertribers have managed to protect their electronics from the salt water environment. Thanks, JC

   Posted 8 years ago #
2. 

   Ridgerunner
   Member

   I seal my SDPOT and Garmin 78 (and its forebear 76) with electronic grease, rinse them occasionally in fresh water (so I can read the screen), and mount them so that they are not in standing water.  I never change the batteries in wet conditions - my hands and the electronic is dry.  I change batteries before they fail so that there is no need for a wet emergency change.  I rinse them thoroughly ater the race in fresh water (including immersion).

   I have never put them in a dry bag because the heating of the sun seems to turn any water into vapor (a much smaller mollecule).  I do like Whitecap's method of putting a plastic bottle with the top cut out over the GPS as a hood to keep most direct spray off.

   Posted 8 years ago #
3. 

   Danito
   Member

   same here. As Ridgerunner mentioned I use dielectric grease on the covers and seals. Rinse them with fresh water. I keep my GPS on a carrier with very little protection from spray may have to try the Toby method.  One thing I do ( might not be right) but after every rinse and a few hrs of air dry I take both spot and gps with me to work and leave them in the car under the seats with the covers removed and no batteries. This dries out any moisture trapped inside. I have saved 2 cell phones this way :)

   Posted 8 years ago #
4. 

   Chekika
   Member

   I have always carried my GPS units in a dry bag (in the last 5-7 yrs, that has been an Aquapac-type bag.)  I've never had a GPS failure on water.  My Garmin 76 did fail after 7 yrs when a battery terminal broke off.

   Keith

   Posted 8 years ago #
5. 

   Rowcat
   Member

   This may not count for much, but dielectric grease seems so messy. I spray the inside of my stuff with Boeshield T-9 (rust and corrosion protection, developed by Boeing, for lubrication and protection of aircraft components. A combination of solvents, lubricants and waxes designed for penetration, moisture displacement, lubrication and protection.  Dries to thin waxy film that clings to metal for months. Safe for plastics and vinyl.)

   I spray lightly, and let the component dry in front of blowing  heat source, in my case, my ice machine in the garage, until it is dry.  I do like the idea of sealing the edges of the battery compartment with electrical tape.

   Posted 8 years ago #

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