QuestionI have been camping/canoeing on The Saco River, ME for 15 years. My group has attempted to perfect the audio entertainment in this time. However, we continue to battle a two powerful variable -- water and time. Our trip is a three day, two night river journey. In the past we have suffered drenching rain, turned-over canoes -- all of which desimate a portable system. We recently tried the work-site radios hoping their durability and large rechargeable batteries would be the answer and it was -- however, when our canoe turned over (only the 2nd time in 15 years)the music was silenced. I was recrntly on a large cabin-cruiser and had an idea. If I had a power source - battery - why not put together a portable system and install it in a heavy duty waterproof case. I think the only components that would need to be exposed to the elements are a couple of weatherproof speakers which I could install flush to the case and seal - the rest i.e. receiver, battery, amplifier (would I need one?), power converter (would I need one?) and wiring could be tucked into foam within the box. We are talking about a canoe and some friends so the power and complexity of this does not need to be advanced - the components would need to be small anyways. SO my question is this. Is this idea possible to execute and what are the minimum components needed?
AnswerHi William,
Well, you're lucky, because I've done a lot of sound for outdoor parties, events, and camping trips, so I'm got some experience in this area. The two most important things have nothing to do with audio equipment but how it's handled:
Firstly, make sure that the audio setup, all of it, unless the speakers/monitors are designed to be used outdoors, like certain Mackie setups, are covered and kept from being exposed to any rain or sun. Basically, keep everything under a tent or cover.
Secondly, bring some blankets, and try to keep the gear (CD player, etc.) covered as much as possible. This keeps the problem elements: dust, fog, humidity, bugs, etc. from getting in the gear. Just get some cheap wool blankets from your local charity place and they'll work well.
Now, if you're taking gear into a canoe and it's flipping and dumping it in the water - there's really nothing you can do unless you can find fully water-proof audio gear, which I'm not familiar with. I'd suspect you also lost your cell phone if you had it on you, or would have. Basically, electronics in water means they're fried.
Your idea about putting a battery in a case is OK but only if you buy a battery that does not "out gas." Car / motorcycle / boat batteries emit small amounts hydrogen as they operate (its what causes the weird greenish corrosion around the terminals) and why you should never smoke near a battery. So if you put it in a case, and the hydrogen builds up, and there's any flame - you're basically going to blow yourself up. So this probably won't work. If you tried it, you'd need some way for the air to circulate, which would mean it wouldn't be water-tight. And yes, you'd also need a converter, and that might be a problem too - it might get hot in a case, too hot and fry itself, melt, or set the battery off.
I'd shop around for some sort of manufactured water-proof system that's already built for what you're looking to do. I'm all about the Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) approach, but in this case, putting a battery in a waterproof case is very dangerous! So look around for a system - I'm sure a Web search would turn something up. Good luck! Cheers, Wink
