Fall is here, and as docks and lifts come out, a few smart steps now will make spring setup faster and easier.
1. Canopy Covers – Clean, Dry & Store Right
A clean canopy lasts years longer. Before storing yours:
- Wash with mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid harsh detergents—they weaken the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Moisture leads to mildew and staining.
- Inspect for wear. Small tears can be repaired now before they become replacements later.
Once clean and dry, drop it off at our shop for professional cleaning or repair service—we’ll take it from there.
2. Solar DC Battery System – Winter Disconnect & Storage Guide
Your lift’s solar system quietly works all season. Now’s the time to give it proper care before winter.
Here’s how to handle it right:
- It’s okay to leave your solar panel on the lift through winter.
- Bring the batteries indoors—they’ll last much longer stored in a warm, dry place.
- Before you start, take a quick picture of your setup. It’ll save guesswork in the spring.
When disconnecting:
- Follow the solar wire to the charge controller—that’s the small box inside one of your battery boxes. When you disconnect the batteries, you’ll likely hear a beeping sound.
- That’s normal—it’s just the charge controller signaling that it’s producing power but can’t send it anywhere.
- Remedy: Disconnect the twist fitting from the solar panel wire going into the charge controller. That’ll stop the beeping and prevent it from drawing power.
- Disconnect the short “jumper wire” tying your two batteries together on one side. Leave it connected on the other, and tuck it into that same battery box.
- Remove the large power cables and the charge controller leads from both batteries (one set per battery, on opposite terminals). A 9/16″ socket usually does the trick.
- Once everything’s disconnected, tuck the charge controller wiring back into its original box and carry each battery up in its respective box.
This keeps everything organized and ready to go next spring—no misplaced wires, no forgotten parts, no beeping charge controllers.
3. Lift & Equipment Storage Tips – Don’t Skip These Steps
Before winter hits, a few simple moves can make next year’s setup smoother and help your barge service out, too:
- Take your canopy cover off while the boat is still in the lift. It’s much easier to reach around the frame with the boat under it.
- If you’re putting the boat away the same day, leave the canopy cover in the boat. It saves a trip to the house, frees up garage space, and keeps it ready to reinstall in spring.
- Crank your lift bed all the way up. If your lift is being removed by barge, leaving it raised makes it easier to grab. Many barges don’t have power onboard to run lift motors, so this step can save time and hassle.
- Store canopies, cords, and accessories in labeled bins. You’ll thank yourself next spring when everything’s clean, organized, and easy to find.
Final Word:
A little attention now saves time, money, and frustration next season. If you’d like help with canopy cleaning, inspections, or fall prep, stop by either location before the frost sets in—our late-season schedule fills fast. Our fall checklist from your lakeshore lifestyle specialists.