There is no fixed standard for the service life of underwater aquaculture cameras. It mainly depends on equipment quality, operating environment, and maintenance methods. Under normal conditions, proper use can achieve 3-5 years of service life. If the environment is harsh or maintenance is improper, the service life may be shortened to 1-2 years. High-quality equipment combined with scientific maintenance is expected to extend the service life to 5-8 years. Clarifying the factors affecting its service life and methods to extend it can help farmers reduce equipment replacement costs and ensure the continuous and stable operation of the monitoring system.
The quality of core components directly determines the basic service life. Cameras using industrial-grade chips, highly sealed casings, and high-quality waterproof connectors have stronger corrosion resistance and aging resistance, with a basic service life 2-3 years longer than products with civilian-grade components. In addition, product craftsmanship is also crucial. For example, the quality of lens coatings and sealants directly affects the durability of the equipment in seawater immersion environments.
The environment is an important external factor affecting service life. In offshore cage aquaculture, the high salinity of seawater is likely to cause corrosion of the equipment casing and interfaces, accelerating the aging of seals; frequent water temperature fluctuations or long-term exposure to extreme temperatures (below 0℃ or above 40℃) will damage internal components; in pond aquaculture, the high turbidity of water may wear the lens and increase the operating load of the equipment.
Scientific maintenance can significantly extend the service life. Long-term failure to clean the lens will lead to dirt accumulation, affecting heat dissipation and imaging, and indirectly damaging components; failure to strictly follow pressure and waterproof standards during installation may cause seawater leakage; lack of regular inspections makes it impossible to timely detect aging seals, damaged wires and other problems, leading to minor faults evolving into permanent damage.
The environment is relatively stable, with water temperature between 5℃ and 35℃, and low water corrosion. Choosing medium-quality underwater aquaculture cameras, combined with daily cleaning and quarterly inspections, the service life is usually 3-5 years. If high-quality brand equipment is selected and vulnerable seals are regularly replaced, the service life can be extended to 5-6 years.
Long-term exposure to high-salt, high-temperature or low-temperature environments accelerates equipment wear and tear. The service life of ordinary cameras may be only 1-2 years. It is necessary to select special models resistant to corrosion, high and low temperatures, and increase maintenance frequency (such as monthly cleaning and semi-annual replacement of seals) to maintain the service life at 3-4 years.
If daily maintenance is completely ignored, such as long-term non-cleaning and non-inspection, even in a conventional environment, the equipment may malfunction within 1-2 years due to dirt accumulation, seal failure and other problems, and cannot be used normally.
When purchasing, prioritize core parameters, such as products with 316L stainless steel casings, IP68 or higher protection levels, and industrial-grade imaging chips, to reduce the risk of failure from the source. At the same time, choose brands with after-sales guarantees to facilitate subsequent replacement of accessories and maintenance.
Strictly follow the instructions during installation to ensure that the interface is tightly sealed and firmly fixed, avoiding placing the equipment in positions with strong water flow impact for a long time. During use, avoid frequent start-stop of the equipment to reduce component wear; avoid direct contact of the lens with sharp objects to prevent scratches.
Regularly clean the lens and casing to remove salt deposits, dirt and biological attachments (such as seaweed, shellfish); inspect whether the seals are aging and the wires are damaged every quarter, and replace vulnerable parts in a timely manner; when the equipment is out of use for a long time, wipe it dry and store it properly to avoid moisture and corrosion.
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