Interesting. My reply to this was straight from a PP customer service rep. I will check that out.

I started having issues with Power Poles not working properly. Skeeter
Was 2 years old and they sent me a new board. Took boat to Diamond Sports to replace and still didn't work right. They added another Perko switch and everything worked right. They said it was a electrical current problem, no problems since.

If they told you that….I’d go with what they said. My information came from a dealer and the instructions with the poles. Your information may be more current.

According to the instructions you are supposed to have a switch.

I have mine on a switch and I turn it off every time I’m done fishing and I have had two circuit boards go out so far.

Spoke to PP customer service again on a App connection issue and the guy said there is not a way to put the pole on dormant without a switch and he advised it.

I’ve had my Blades for 5 years. I have never disconnected them. I replaced a circuit board once…due to water intrusion. I installed a new board and moved that pump away from the bilge doors hinge. (Water drip point).
I have never removed power,except recently when changing to lithiums. They flash the light slowly….when I get home, the next day they will be in sleep mode and the light is no longer blinking and they are pulling zero current. If I tap a button on any remote, they both wake up, lights start flashing and stay that way for 8 hours. If they are not used for 8 hours, the light stops blinking and they go to sleep.

I don’t know if that is the right way….but I haven’t burned up a board. The cover was loose on one and water got in it.

Now the cover is broken, and zip tied on. It still works great. Goes to sleep when not used wakes up on the first tap of it’s button.

In the CMonster app….I can adjust the time it takes for them to go asleep.

Guess I’ll leave it like it is….since y’all are having so many problems with the boards and having a switch connected in line with the power supply

My set are 2017's and I have replaced a combined total of 4 of them including 1 just 2 weeks ago. The rep did tell me the new board he sent was much better and I shouldn't have any more issues. I have always had mine on a perko switch.

Have replaced 1 board between the 2 sets of blades over the last 8 years.

I have a switch on mine and keep them turned off when not in use and I have still had to replace multiple boards under warranty.

Raptors aren’t much better. I have more issues with them. I’ll take a board swap anyday. Most carry a spare

Now you guys got me worried. How do I get one up if the board goes out?

Call Power Pole, number 1 in customer service!

Thx. Stored that sucker in my phone.

I don't have an explanation on why they might go bad but with about 12-15 years as a Power Pole user I've never had one go bad. It could just be luck. The one thing I do know is that tge couple of small issues I've had their customer service was top notch.
I bought a new set from an online retailer several years ago. I had a bit of an issue with the transaction/retailer. Power Pole stepped up and offered to ship everything to me and told me to settle up with them once the issue was resolved.