Stay Prepared: Essential Winter Maintenance for Reliable Data

Keeping sensors and devices in good working order ensures they deliver accurate, reliable data throughout the winter. Here are some key tips to help you stay on top of routine maintenance and protect your equipment from harsh winter conditions.

• Solar Panels: Regularly clean solar panels with a soft cloth and mild detergent to maximize efficiency. Snow and ice will also affect functionality so clear this whenever possible. This simple upkeep helps keep them effective year-round.
• Shorter Days & Cloud Cover: During winter, shorter days and cloudier skies mean solar panels may charge less efficiently. Be sure your solar array is in top shape and sufficient to support power needs over the colder months.
• Buoys: Check the integrity of your moorings – so that you are well prepared ahead of any winter storms or storm surges.
• Battery Life: In marine environments, most batteries have an average life expectancy of around three years. As batteries age, they lose their ability to hold a charge as effectively. If your batteries are reaching or past this age, consider replacing them to avoid unexpected downtime.
• Sensor Calibration and Servicing: Manufacturers provide specific guidelines on sensor servicing and calibration. Sticking to these schedules is essential for consistent, accurate data. If you’re an OceanWise SLA customer, you’ll benefit from a rolling plan to swap sensors in and out as needed.
• Damage: check now for any damage to your sensors, cabling, enclosures or bracketing. If left, the damage could cause issues later including water ingress – get ahead and repair now, before the harsh conditions settle in.

For more on how OceanWise can support your maintenance and servicing needs—whether it’s increasing power capacity or routine sensor care—please get in touch. We’re here to help!