ARC RCL-100 Spotlight Repairs

[dtfeld]

Began troubleshooting my ACR-100 Spotlight. Everything working except the elevation motor, the gear corroded.

The dang replacement part is over $300 for a small DC gear motor!! A new unit is $1200!! I think I found a gear motor on amazon that might work for $15, except I cant find a spec on the RPM output. Anybody ever have one apart and have a guess at what the RPM figure should be?

The original gear motor is made by Think Engineering and their part number was TE-35CC-12-200S. I was guessing the -35CC was deg/sec and so I choose a 5 RPM (=30 deg/sec) gear motor.

If I cant get this working, I think I'll just reinstall a hugely ugly hood ornament. Anybody remove it? If so how/what did you fill the hole with?

Original Motor

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acr-Hrmk4200-Elevation-Motor-Gear-Rcl-100/183299101458?epid=1330401993&hash=item2aad7a5312:g:msoAAOSwnDxUc86a&_sacat=0&_nkw=ACR+RCL-100D+Replacement+Elevation+motor+RCL100D+HRMK+4200+HRMK4200+Searchlight&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

Motor I choose

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071XCX778/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Old motor

 

[dtfeld]

Replacement fits (pretty tightly). Need to get it wired up at the boat and see if I’ve wired correctly and chosen (guessed) the right reduction. I’d say this is a winner if I can get this working for $15

 

[carterchapman]

David - you may have the "winner" for the year!

 

[dtfeld]

Anything to save .3 boat bucks!

 

[dtfeld]

This motor works!! Easy fix.

The only question is whether 5 rpm is the right speed. I'll have to try it a little. 7 -10 might be better...

I think over the winter I'll have the housing blasted and powdercoated, make it look new.

 

[Boat Guy]

If you replaced a $300 part with a $15 part, congrats... I really don't understand these manufacturers sometimes.

 

[dtfeld]

Having looked at the original and the amazon replacement, I would expect about the same life out of the $15 version. The weak link was the steel gears in the original.

If the $300 version had stainless or brass gears, maybe I’d consider that, but I doubt I’ll replace this again in my ownership. And even if I do, I’m way way ahead.

 

[yobub]

@dtfeld ,

Your post inspired me to take on my spotlight repair, but the motor you have is a different model than what I found in mine, and the overall look is different.

I'm not an electrical engineer. What did did you search to find a.matchijg motor?

 

[dtfeld]

@dtfeld , View attachment 59292 Your post inspired me to take on my spotlight repair, but the motor you have is a different model than what I found in mine, and the overall look is different.

I'm not an electrical engineer. What did did you search to find a.matchijg motor?

Yobub

Is that the rotation motor? The motor I replaced was the elevation motor.

I can’t see all of the part number but that’s the same company. I found the correct bolt pattern and guessed at the rpm out put. For rotation, I’m guessing 30 rpm.

I hate to say it, but I think you might need a little trial and error. I’d order a 10,20,and 30 rpm version and see what works. Return the ones you don’t like.

For the elevation motor 5 rpm is ok, 10 might be better.

 

[dtfeld]

@dtfeld , View attachment 59292 Your post inspired me to take on my spotlight repair, but the motor you have is a different model than what I found in mine, and the overall look is different.

I'm not an electrical engineer. What did did you search to find a.matchijg motor?

Yobub

One other consideration, I think you need a shorter motor for the rotation motor. The motor dimensions are on the amazon website, please check. If you can measure the original motor, I bet I can find one on fleabay

 

[yobub]

I finally got around to fully disassembling my ACR spolight a couple weeks ago. Both motors were completely caked with rust. I replaced the elevation motor with the same unit @dtfeld used and it seems to work fine. I replaced the bulbs at $17 each (https://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/lampjcs12v55wg635.html) and we'll see how they last.

The planet gears both have teeth missing, so I will have to replace those. I've found them for $15.95 each (which is absurd for a 1" round piece of molded plastic) plus I have to pay $10 for shipping. If I get ambitious I might try the 3D printer at the library.

I still have the issue with the rotational motor. I sent it it a repair shop, and they said it was not repairable. The lowest price I've found is about $300. Has anyone find a less expensive option for the rotational (turning) motor?

 

[dtfeld]

Yobub.

Can you take a few measurements of the rotational motor? Length and diameter of the motor, the gear box, the shaft, and finally the bolt pattern.

I'll see what I can find .

I think that one is a little shorter in overall length

 

[yobub]

I actually found one that fits today. I went to a hobby shop, they directed my to a scientific hobby shop on the north side of Chicago (American Science & Surplus), they had a basket of them. Unit is the right size. The unit as it came spins too fast. I switched the gearing from my motor, better but still a little too fast, but livable. The big thing is the motor fits in the base.

This unit will work, but I'm going to get in touch with the company out of Geneva IL to see if they have a different gear ratio.

Oh, $14.50.

 

[carterchapman]

yobub - great find on the bulb - I think the last one I got was $65!!

 

[dtfeld]

I think I found a bulb on Ebay for $25.

 

[dtfeld]

Any idea on the gear ratio you bought and what you think will work?

 

[yobub]

Any idea on the gear ratio you bought and what you think will work?

I don't know the gear ratio, but I will call the company this week to find out. There wasn't any packaging with the motor, and the product number on the motor doesn't match any product number on their website.

I think the RPMs on the motor are too fast, since I'm reusing the gears from the old motor. I'll talk to them and I'll update this thread accordingly.

Also, I saw today that Max Marine has a used original motor for $99, in case anyone doesn't want to mess around with 3rd parties.

 

[dtfeld]

If you have the unit off the boat and disassembled, can you count the # of teeth on each gear? I should be able to calculate a reduction and estimate the ratio required.

 

[yobub]

If you have the unit off the boat and disassembled, can you count the # of teeth on each gear? I should be able to calculate a reduction and estimate the ratio required.

Thanks @dtfeld, I'm out of town until next weekend but will check when I get back.

 

[dtfeld]

No hurry. It would be nice if ACR would sell replacements for a reasonable amount of $$. Maybe they will tell you the specs on the motor.

If nothing else, we'll reverse engineer it and save ourselves a good amount of money.