Everyone is heading to the beach, or lake, or heading out on their boat. But we know that everyone wants to take their electronics with them. Have you ever asked yourself the following question; Is it possible to protect my non-marine electronics from getting damaged when on board our boat?
Anytime you take a non-marine-rated electronic device to the water, you risk managing the device (computer, mobile phones, tablets, and cameras). You can take some steps to ensure your device is as safe as possible.
You can find some great protective water-resistant and waterproof cases, housing, and pouches. They come in many different sizes and shapes: the sporting goods store, marine hardware, and online places to find these.
If you are in a bind or need something that you may have at home now, you can use an ordinary plastic bag that will protect from splash or spray, but it should not be used for long periods as these bags will make moisture in the environment and could cause problems in the long term.
Any computer, smartphone, or tablet should also be secured so that you can avoid any physical damage from being dropped. Again, I would go back to the store or online to get a universal adjustable mounting bracket and padded case for the items when they are not being used.
Next, let’s talk about charging your devices. I would recommend a dash-or panel-mounted 12-volt and USB receptacle. These can power portable DC-powered devices and charge your batteries; now, if you use 110-volt AC equipment such as TVs or computers, you can source their power from a 12-volt DC to a 110-volt AC inverter.
Now to look at each of the areas in a little more depth:
Inverters
If your boat does not have a generator on board or you’re not going out for long periods, you can purchase an inverter that can produce the 110-volt AC voltage you need from your boat’s 12 or 24-volt DC battery system.
One of the most important things to remember is that you want to select an inverter that only produces a pure sine wave AC power if you are operating computers, satellite TV receivers, TV sets, DVD players, or any similar device.
Universal Power Supply
One thing about Universal Power Supplies is you can use the same type that you use at home to protect your computers from data loss in the event of a significant fluctuation or power failure can be used on a boat. When switching your 110AC power from the inverter or the generator to power on the shore, you can cause the electronics to become inoperative or lock up. To decrease the likelihood of this happening, you should use a power strip between your computer, satellite TV receiver, or TV and your 110 AC voltage source to minimize the effects on your devices from the voltage spikes.
Wireless Charging Systems
A company named ScanStrut has created the ROKK series of wireless, waterproof (IPX6) charging pads for boating. I have not used these by I have heard good things about them. They would be installed on a flat surface to charge devices like your cell phone without wiring. You would just set the phone down and go. It has a high-grip mounting bracket that will hold your phone in place while it is charging.
RAM Mounts has also announced a mounting device that can be secured to the boating surface and structures. So, a bulkhead, dash, or panel-mounted 12-volt DC and USB receptacles allow you to plug in, charge, or operate your portable devices.
There are many others out there that you can use also. I would check with the local marine store, online or outdoor outlet.
So now that we know what we need to have to keep our devices from being damaged when out on the boat, please remember that these are only some of the things you but when dealing with devices and water, you are always taking a chance.
I also recommend that if you are taking your devices out on the water with you or even to the shore, ensure that the device has been backed up so that if something happens, you can still get your data.
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