Keeping Sounders and Electronics from Salt Corrosion

So my Garmin Echomap is dead but I think it's due to corrosion in the wiring. The wire at the in-line fuse snapped once due to the weight of the fuse and holder, and salt got in there. Further, the wiring connector to the screen unit and the pins in the back of the screen itself are corroded.

I'm not a fair weather fisherman, I go when I've booked the time off to go so rough winds and waves are pretty normal and water gets everywhere. Is there a practical solution that can keep things more corrosion-proof, or are there units that are better at keeping water out of the connector ports? Thanks in advance.

Dialectic greas is your friend!!!

I 2nd what Mojo says regarding dielectric grease. It'll extend the life of your electronic connections.

When I expect water to come over the side and inundate my depthfinder, I'll turn a gallon Ziplock bag inside-out, put it over the depthfinder, then secure it with a rubber band or two. This will keep most of the saltwater off the depthfinder. This is my standard procedure for surf launching, but if the ocean's rough, sometimes I'll leave the bag on the depthfinder the entire time I'm on the water.

So my Garmin Echomap is dead but I think it's due to corrosion in the wiring. The wire at the in-line fuse snapped once due to the weight of the fuse and holder, and salt got in there. Further, the wiring connector to the screen unit and the pins in the back of the screen itself are corroded.

I'm not a fair weather fisherman, I go when I've booked the time off to go so rough winds and waves are pretty normal and water gets everywhere. Is there a practical solution that can keep things more corrosion-proof, or are there units that are better at keeping water out of the connector ports? Thanks in advance.

I always launch with my fish finder in a small dry bag and don’t set it up until I am through the surf. A friend turned me onto T9 spray from Boeing that does wonders in protecting metal from corrosion. I spray it on my fish finder pins and cables and all of the metal on my kayak at the beginning of the season. I highly recommend it

I always launch with my fish finder in a small dry bag and don’t set it up until I am through the surf. A friend turned me onto T9 spray from Boeing that does wonders in protecting metal from corrosion. I spray it on my fish finder pins and cables and all of the metal on my kayak at the beginning of the season. I highly recommend it

I'm gonna check out that spray. Thanks for the recommendation!

Only problem with electrolytic grease...it's not a conductor. I've used too much and it made the connection worse. Too much acts as an insulator . I'm having a lot of problems with my nocqua battery terminal pins. Had to fish blind last time weout. Tried wd 40 Contact cleaner. Still not too good. I'll try the other stuff.

I always launch with my fish finder in a small dry bag and don’t set it up until I am through the surf. A friend turned me onto T9 spray from Boeing that does wonders in protecting metal from corrosion. I spray it on my fish finder pins and cables and all of the metal on my kayak at the beginning of the season. I highly recommend it

I'm gonna check out that spray. Thanks for the recommendation!

HUGE fan of T9! Highly recommended.

Only problem with electrolytic grease...it's not a conductor. I've used too much and it made the connection worse. Too much acts as an insulator . I'm having a lot of problems with my nocqua battery terminal pins. Had to fish blind last time weout. Tried wd 40 Contact cleaner. Still not too good. I'll try the other stuff.

I have had similar issues getting a bit to agressive with the dialectic grease. Need to go very easy. I have a can of electronic spray cleaner I use a lot and that gets the grease out. https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05103-Electronic-Cleaner-11/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=7VTHYN156SSI&keywords=electric+contact+cleaner&qid=1685016221&sprefix=electric+contact+spray+cleaner%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-3

Occasionally when my finder starts acting up,  I'll use a lil wire brush, needle, or other such implements , to scour n scrape the contacts. Usually does the trick.

CorrosionX spray.  Helps clean up existing corrosion and protects from further corrosion.  Spendy, but worth it and will last a long time. 

Boeshield T9.  Corrosion X let me down twice; T9 never did - and better not considering its price.

Another Boeshield fan here. Also works great to keep rust off your Mirage Drive. When I was first starting out with Hobie I went to a talk hosted by a Hobie prostaff who said that no matter what you do you'll get rust in your MD cables if you fish in salt water. Well, that's not true. Like most things, a bit of routine maintenance goes a long way. T9 on the cables will keep rust away for the life of the cable.

Also, I aggressively spray SaltAway into all electrical connections (and other metal) as soon as I get off the water, and again when I clean up at home.

SD2OR's suggestion about freshening up the metal on the connections is also spot-on.

Salt-A-Way!  Can't believe I forgot about that.  Been using is for years and my gear still look brand new.  But maybe never catching a salmon helps?

Nah.  It's the Salt-A-Way and Boeshield.

$10.50 for 4oz bottle on Amazon today.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GE1F9K?tag=slickdeals09-20&ascsubtag=ab58f7ae67ed11efbddf9ad162da6e650INT&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1&psc=1

I have a large garbage can full of water and 1 32 oz bottle of Salt-away. First thing when I come home is dunk my drive, fishing reels/poles fishfinder lifevest, everything that has metal, in for a few minutes. Solution seems to keep for 2-3 years.  Has worked wonderfully! Connectors, metal on kayak have not seen the same love…and it shows. Ordering T-9 for kayak.