Do 320DAs come prewired for Searchlight?

[Alex F]

I’m thinking to install a searchlight, but I’d hate to go through a hassle of running wires from helm all the way to the anchor locker. Does anyone know if 320s come prewired for the searchlight from the factory (I recall seen some wires with white plug in the anchor locker, but I don’t know what that’s for, light or bow thruster or something else and I dn't know where the other end of the wire is going)?

I was also looking at wireless remote controlled light, but I’m not sure how reliable these lights are. Obviously, I would trust wired ones more than wireless.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Assuming you have a windlass, and knowing from a friend's 320 that the factory bow thruster on the 320 is basically under the vee berth, I am going to go out on a limb and say that the wire with the plug you found would be for a search light. Speaking from memory from when I replaced mine, it should have a 4 (5?) wire plug.

Henry

 

[tobnpr]

I'd be surprised if it were.
Unlike a windlass pre-wire, which is pretty universal stuff, a flood/spotlight isn't and the wiring harness is something like eight or ten wires. The ones I've seen are specific to the manuf/model of spotlight. I don't see how SR could "pre-wire" for one.

Let us know...

 

[Alex F]

Henry,

I really hope you're right. The plug I found had about 4-5 wires, which in the way makes sence (1-up, 1-down, 1-left, 1-right, 1-positive, 1-negative), so it should be theoretically 5-6 wires.

The other puzzle is where do I find the other end of that harness.

I'd be surprised if it were.
Unlike a windlass pre-wire, which is pretty universal stuff, a flood/spotlight isn't and the wiring harness is something like eight or ten wires. The ones I've seen are specific to the manuf/model of spotlight. I don't see how SR could "pre-wire" for one.

I would not be surprize, b/c it would make this very expensive and somewhat difficult upgrade even for MM techs if they had to run the wires all the way via the cabin. It would make sense to have these items prewired, just like cockpit TV cable (unlucky for me, I found one but it doesn't have a signal).

 

[Chris R]

I've often wondered where the accessory buttons on the helm are wired to- if at all. Would be interesting to look at the wiring diagram on this issue. I believe on mine there is a forward accessory button - which I have often thought is set up for a spot light. I cannot remember what the button is called that powers my underwater swim platform lights, but it is one of the aft accessory ones ( I think)

 

[Henry Boyd]

According to the 280 wiring diagram, the bow searchlight appears to be a vendor supplied harness. The Jabsco searchlight was the Sea Ray option of choice accros a number of years/ models. Our 02 280 has the same searchlight as my buddy's 07 320. And in 08 when I replaced mine (bad motor) the new replacement kit was identical to what had been installed on my boat.

As for where the other end is, somewhere under the dash. I have the replacement control head down in the basement. I'll look for it tomorrow, and report back as to how many wires and spade plugs it has.

I'm not surprised that it is pre wired. I've actually never seen a Sea Ray up here in NE that does not have the light and always thought it was standard equipment. That being the case it would make sense to pre-wire as it makes a dealer upgrade a breeze.

Henry

 

[Alex F]

Just an FYI for anyone who will have the same question in the future. I just got official response from SR that all 320DAs come with prewired harness for search lights. One end with a plug is in the anchor locker and the other end is under the dash.

 

[HUMPH]

Just an FYI for anyone who will have the same question in the future. I just got official response from SR that all 320DAs come with prewired harness for search lights. One end with a plug is in the anchor locker and the other end is under the dash.

Sweet! I will take a look tomorrow since I don't have a searchlight.....yet. Thanks for the info!!!!!

 

[Bridog]

That's good news Alex. Curious if you had to wait this long to get the answer from SR? I've heard it takes longer now dealing with customer service. Also where is the TV cable you found in the cockpit? Brian

 

[Kreole Kid]

I've often wondered where the accessory buttons on the helm are wired to- if at all. Would be interesting to look at the wiring diagram on this issue. I believe on mine there is a forward accessory button - which I have often thought is set up for a spot light. I cannot remember what the button is called that powers my underwater swim platform lights, but it is one of the aft accessory ones ( I think)

I was wondering the same thing about the switches too. I played around with mine and discovered that one of them on the port side turns on my sonar unit, and I think the other port button has something to do with the VHF radio. Because when I turn the radio on without the "ACC" button being on (lit up), I will get a loud beeping sound after a few minutes. Now as far as the starboard "ACC" buttons, I don't know wtf they are for. John (HAMPTON) told me that he made one of his the turn on button for his underwater lights and I thought that was cool.
If yall ever figure it out, please post the answers, thanks:thumbsup:

 

[rondds]

Do you guys find the searchlight to be valuable? They all seem to be underpowered and slow to pan (if you are actually "searching" for something, like a channel marker). I keep a handheld under the bridge helm and find it much easier to point and shoot as needed the few times I've returned in the dark. Mine is useful to illuminate the foredeck and not much beyond that.

 

[Hampton]

When I did the underwater lighting, I researched the 4 dead ends I had at my helm. The one labeled "Aft Accy" on the port side of the helm is the one I used for the stern lights - that's the way they come from the factory, I think.

The one immediately beneath the stereo button, so the one 2nd from the top on the starboard side of the helm, dead ended under the helm so I used that one to power the stereo remote back lighting. It used to be tied in to the Nav lights like I would only use the stereo when navigating at night.

I use the bottom starboard one to power the cockpit TV (DC). I still have one unused switch at the helm, then it'll be time to upgrade.

Question: Does the harness for the spot light actually power the spot or just control it? I was thinking that the power may come from the heavy wiring leading to the windlass.

 

[hack4alivin]

Do you guys find the searchlight to be valuable? They all seem to be underpowered and slow to pan (if you are actually "searching" for something, like a channel marker). I keep a handheld under the bridge helm and find it much easier to point and shoot as needed the few times I've returned in the dark. Mine is useful to illuminate the foredeck and not much beyond that.

NO… by the time I get the damn thing aimed where I want its time to move it. I very rarely use it, better off with a good hand held unit as far as I’m concerned.

 

[hack4alivin]

Mine just sits on the bow and mocks the anchor for not being shiney SS.

OH, and it provide my three year old hours of endless entertainment shining the light into my neighbors cockpit.[/quote]

If you were not in Michigan, I’d swear it was you.:grin:

 

[HUMPH]

I have a Gazillion Candlepower hand held spotlight at home but it is too big to keep on the boat. I can shine it from my front deck to the freeway 1/2 mile away and light up the other side! I should carry it on the boat as I can light up half the river!

 

[rondds]

Hell, if the speakers were'nt so ugly I'd replace mine with a hailer. Only tough thing with the handhelds are they screw up your night vision.

 

[Hampton]

My 340 does not have a spotlight. I use a hand held. When I had my 250, it had the standard spot light. I used it all the time without any problem. I used to miss it on my 340, but we don't cruise at night in the 340 as much as we did in the 250. In the 250, we went to dinner and then cruised home at night. In the 340, we spend the night out.

 

[Alex F]

That's good news Alex. Curious if you had to wait this long to get the answer from SR? I've heard it takes longer now dealing with customer service. Also where is the TV cable you found in the cockpit? Brian

Brian,

Actually SR responding to email inquiries pretty quickly. It's me who kind of got sidetracked with this mainly b/c I can't do nothing with it during winter months. So, for now I just research and try to get parts.

TV cable I found it even last season. One end was in the ER among all wires in the grey color wire tray (I don't know what's the proper name for it). The problem is that the wire didn't give me any signal, although all other TVs have signal from Dish (at the dock) and Glomex. I the meantime I was using piece of cable feeding from the cabin TV, it's runnign on the outside as a temp solution. I need to find where the other end of that TV cable is so I can try fixing the problem. I'm thinking that I'll end up just running the new wire instead of killing time searching for this missing wire end.

Do you guys find the searchlight to be valuable? They all seem to be underpowered and slow to pan (if you are actually "searching" for something, like a channel marker). I keep a handheld under the bridge helm and find it much easier to point and shoot as needed the few times I've returned in the dark. Mine is useful to illuminate the foredeck and not much beyond that.

Ron,

Although I see benefits of handheld, which I've used on both 240 and 320 the part that I don't like very much is the huge glare I get from the deck (even more on 320). So, I'm thinking that having the searchlight mounted all the way by the anchor illiminates this problem. I think the problem with your searchlight is that it's mounted in not most usefull spot, which gives you glare as well. If you don't get glare, then it's not powerfull enough.

 

[Alex F]

Just a quick update:

I was able to find the end of the wire that goes to the helm. This end of wire is hidden pretty well in the cabin behind the control panel. When I was running my TV cable wire I took off the 12v Main DC panel and to my anticipated surprise (I looked everywhere else) I found the bundle with the 7-pin plug hidden way deep in there.

So, now we've got the answer, Yes 320s are prewired with search light with one end in the anchor locker and the other behind 12v DC panel in the cabin.

Now I just need to choose a good light. The one SR installs is only 72,000CP Spot power and 30,000CP Flood Power. The handhelds I use are much more powerfull.