Spot Light not moving

WV 320 Dancer

Well-Known Member
Oct 28, 2018
969
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray Sundancer 320
Engines
Twin 350 MAG - V Drive
So my spot light turns on but I can’t get it to move. Any tips on where I could start my search before I throw some boat bucks at the problem?
 
Most spot light have 2 fuses. One for the light and one for the rotate/tilt motors. The fuses may be on the control panel on the dash. They may be under a "fuse cover".
 
So my spot light turns on but I can’t get it to move. Any tips on where I could start my search before I throw some boat bucks at the problem?

I would look to the switch. Mine is flakey on my 2004. Sometimes it works fine sometimes not so good. I don't use it that often so it has not bubbled up on my urgent todo list yet. I also carry a hand held which is sometimes easier to use.

-Kevin
 
Get your trusty volt meter and start checking switches before spending money. Might also want to use a 12 volt power source to see if the actuators work independently. They aren't terribly complicated units. Helps having an other set of hands when trouble shooting.
Take you time and keep track of what readings you get with switch application and I'm betting you'll figure what ain't working.
 
What kind of spotlight? Single bulb silver one or dual halogen white one? If chrome one then check your joystick first. That is part likely to fail. You can use jump wire to do some testing. If you have wireless remote then check connections on receiver.
 
Not to hijack the thread but this is my #1 “must replace” item on my boat. (Problem is we’re trying to sell her.) The original halogen bulbs, circa 2007, are the equivalent of those old D cell flashlights that look more like well water stains on a wall than actual light. Anyhow, I digress...
 
If it’s an ACR, you can get a user manual/troubleshooting info on their website.
 
Not to hijack the thread but this is my #1 “must replace” item on my boat. (Problem is we’re trying to sell her.) The original halogen bulbs, circa 2007, are the equivalent of those old D cell flashlights that look more like well water stains on a wall than actual light. Anyhow, I digress...

If it is just the bulb then that can be replaced with an LED bulb if you are okay with only one setting (on instead of spot/beam). We has a discussion about this last year (http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/spotlight-bulb-replacement.84698/) and they are similar to aircraft lights.

-Kevin
 
Most spot light have 2 fuses. One for the light and one for the rotate/tilt motors. The fuses may be on the control panel on the dash. They may be under a "fuse cover".
Thanks I will check it out...when I can get my boat uncovered LOL...
 
What kind of spotlight? Single bulb silver one or dual halogen white one? If chrome one then check your joystick first. That is part likely to fail. You can use jump wire to do some testing. If you have wireless remote then check connections on receiver.
Chrome dual bulb spot/flood
 
Chrome dual bulb spot/flood
It is probably single bulb with dual filament. It is very likely your joystick not functioning properly. If you handy with voltmeter you be able to diagnose it. Remove light bulb and look on of the motors. Note colors of the wires. Now take back of joystick controller and you get access to connectors. Using your meter check if you get power on wires with same color like on the motor. You need to manipulate joystick either up/down or left/right to get power. If you get no power then controller is a problem. If there is power coming out of joystick but you get no reading on motor inside spotlight, then wiring is a problem. There is connector inside base of spotlight. It may get corroded inside.
 
It is probably single bulb with dual filament. It is very likely your joystick not functioning properly. If you handy with voltmeter you be able to diagnose it. Remove light bulb and look on of the motors. Note colors of the wires. Now take back of joystick controller and you get access to connectors. Using your meter check if you get power on wires with same color like on the motor. You need to manipulate joystick either up/down or left/right to get power. If you get no power then controller is a problem. If there is power coming out of joystick but you get no reading on motor inside spotlight, then wiring is a problem. There is connector inside base of spotlight. It may get corroded inside.
Mine did the same thing, I sprayed a electrical contact cleaner into the switch and move the switch around to work it in.
Fixed my problem it's worth a shot.
 
If It’s ACR...there is likely a troubleshooting guide online. I have the double halogen white version on mine, and found the up/down gear corroded out. New Part was $400 from ACR, I found replacement on amazon for $15. There is a write on CSR, just came back up a few weeks ago, another fixed light on the cheap.

New Lights are $$$$$.
 
The ACRs are notorious for the gear boxes rusting up and freezing. Had to take my previous one apart several times. The first time, the gear box had to be completely taken apart and sandblasted to remove all the corrosion. Per above, you can get the manual and it will tell you how to remove the two gear boxes, one for vertical motion and the other for horizontal. The vertical tended to be more problematic on my last boat than the horizontal.
Rob
 
The ACRs are notorious for the gear boxes rusting up and freezing. Had to take my previous one apart several times. The first time, the gear box had to be completely taken apart and sandblasted to remove all the corrosion. Per above, you can get the manual and it will tell you how to remove the two gear boxes, one for vertical motion and the other for horizontal. The vertical tended to be more problematic on my last boat than the horizontal.
Rob
And it still works.
 
And it still works.
Glad to hear that! Keep an eye on it! It is repairable if it relapses, but seems like it would be a better design for the cost of those things! The 44 I am looking at has the same spotlight!
Rob
 
Glad to hear that! Keep an eye on it! It is repairable if it relapses, but seems like it would be a better design for the cost of those things! The 44 I am looking at has the same spotlight!
Rob
I have tried finding a LED bulbs for it.
No luck.
 
I have tried finding a LED bulbs for it.
No luck.
Roger, I will have to look where I bought them before. I was able to find them.
Rob
 

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