Condensation inside wind and depth displays - a cure??

[pgtips]

My wind and depth displays suffer from condensation (both Autohlem units). The manual says to put the backlight on to get rid of it but this doesn't' seem to do anything.

I've taking the units apart and dried the screen, put them back together again and the condensation is back fairly soon after.

Anyone know of a way to stop the condensation from forming??

 

[sailorman]

My wind and depth displays suffer from condensation (both Autohlem units). The manual says to put the backlight on to get rid of it but this doesn't' seem to do anything.

I've taking the units apart and dried the screen, put them back together again and the condensation is back fairly soon after.

Anyone know of a way to stop the condensation from forming??

the ST 60s have a goretex membrane to allow moisture to dissipate from the inside via heat from the int light

 

[pgtips]

the ST 60s have a goretex membrane to allow moisture to dissipate from the inside via heat from the int light

Mine are the ST30s and don't have a membrane but might be worth seeing if I can fabricate something similar

 

[TradewindSailor]

Have you blocked off the ventilation? The back light usually does the job.

 

[Crowblack]

Depending on how they are mounted (a space behind them) you could buy some silica gel off Ebay half fill the foot end of a couple of old thin socks (I kid you not)
and hang em over the back of the instruments.

Worked on my Navman instruments.

 

[pgtips]

Can't recall seeing a ventilation hole anywhere so will check this.

Like the idea of the silica! I suppose the little sachets you find in binocular or camera cases could work?

Thanks both for the suggestions

 

[claymore]

Might be worthwhile gently hairdrying them?

 

[AndrewB]

Might be worthwhile gently hairdrying them?

Only if they have a ventilation hole. Sealed units will require re-sealing.

 

[richardbrennan]

I have ST60+ instruments. I am told the back lighting dodge does not work with these as the illumination is provided by LEDs.

 

[pgtips]

I've acquired some of the little silica gel sachets that are put in purses and camera cases so will try putting one of these in and see if makes any difference. Didn't cost me anything so nothing to lose!

 

[TradewindSailor]

I have ST60+ instruments. I am told the back lighting dodge does not work with these as the illumination is provided by LEDs.

Even LEDs give off heat. I used to have ST60's and this technique worked

 

[Lakesailor]

The only sure way is to leave them in the box and do not fit them to the boat.

 

[aquaplane]

I've acquired some of the little silica gel sachets that are put in purses and camera cases so will try putting one of these in and see if makes any difference. Didn't cost me anything so nothing to lose!

It's worth drying them out before you try to use them, they are probably saturated.
We use silica gel with an indicator in that is pink when wet/blue when dry but not all the crystals have the indicator in.
If it goes blue after 2-4 hours at 80-100°C in the oven it has indicator.