What's the issue with your light. I just nursed ours "on a new to us boat" back to health.

 

LED's at dash appear to be good

spotlight does not move, nor do lights work

additionally it can be spun freely by hand

I should add, never had any experience with these.

BEST !

RWS

 

you can replace the main gear. its plastic.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1417857338...NuWewCqM/F3eraddpBJx//lr0t7loq2nwAg3Ei33XEE3ufBAGmi4UKKiG00=|tkp:Bk9SR5K5zquRYQ

 

Problem as you have noticed is the replacement options are pretty expensive, hence why repair is a pretty good option. I get the inclination to rip it out and put a deck plate, but I just couldnt leave a big hole up there, as keeping water and rot out of the foredeck is a huge concern for me, and aestetically , I try to keep the boat pretty close to as new for future resale considerations.

As far a repairs go, getting the light back in working order is pretty easy and inexpensive. Not sure where you are in the diagnosis process (been pretty busy as of late) but there is a troubleshooting guide, and replacing the gear motors and bulbs is about a $200 afternoon project. Bulbs are about $35 each, and gear motors less than $20.

I have on my winter list to pull it and put in a faster elevation gear (I guessed wrong when I rebuilt a couple years back) and to have the body powder coated. And I did buy the LED array in case I get the gumption to convert it (jury out on this part of the project).

 

For the record…I’m not spending $1500 on a new one either, but I do like the fact it at least works, and use it several times a season.

 

If you abandon it, how much do you want for it?

 

Have your canvas guy whip up a spotlight cover, problem solved long-term

 

When mine quit it was just a control module, not much money.
If you do get it working, these are one of the things on the boat that really does need exercising to stay in good order. Put it through its paces every few weeks.

 

The NTU 340 had the chrome spot light converted to LED . Up here on Lake Erie haven't had the Balls to venture out on the lake at night.

 

I don’t think I ever used up here either. But It worked great for spotting alligators at night on the Waccamaw River anchorages.

 

Test the bulb feeds and the motor voltage feeds if they are still good then the main components are still good. Bulbs, gears and motors are cheap and simple repairs. Fresh coat of paint and good as new.

 

I had one rebuilt in the past, have you pursued that option?

 

Ours was frozen in place. I kept bumping the switch to make it move, and sure enough it started moving a little bit. I kept doing this, and now it moves like it was supposed to.

 

This often works for the vent window motor

 

When my spotlight was acting up, I replaced the controller and the remote. It worked for some time but then lost reliability. The symptoms are, when I clock on the button (on the remote) to turn the light on, it doesn't always turns on. When it goes on, when I operate the remote pad, it spins kind of spotty and the light is flickering. Sometimes, the light shuts down in attempt to rotate the light.

I don't know if it's the cable issue. I hope not.

Did anyone experienced similar issue?

 

When my spotlight was acting up, I replaced the controller and the remote. It worked for some time but then lost reliability. The symptoms are, when I clock on the button (on the remote) to turn the light on, it doesn't always turns on. When it goes on, when I operate the remote pad, it spins kind of spotty and the light is flickering. Sometimes, the light shuts down in attempt to rotate the light.

I don't know if it's the cable issue. I hope not.

Did anyone experienced similar issue?

I picked up an ACR RCL100 that wasn't working at a swap meet they have at our marina every year for twenty. After opening it up I noticed brushes and slip ring like a DC motor which got the power to the lamps and elevation motor. It was easy to take apart and easy to clean the brushes and slip ring plate. Most likely your issues are the brushes and slip ring plate need cleaning. These pics are the slip ring plate and brush holder/brushes.

 

Question on the mechanical side:

Should the unit be able to spin easily by hand, or is this an indication of a mechanical/gear/etc failure?

RWS

 

No, that shows the gears are broken. again easy fix

 

Arminius has a thread going about adding LED lights…

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/boat-light-comments-invited.111503/page-2#post-1370141

 

I would opt to keep the light…. Simple repair. Try to keep the boat original or upgraded…. Putting a plate over the hole doesn’t help resale as you wonder how many other plates are around

 

Y'all are beginning to convince me....

I'll likely get it apart and determine the extent of the repair

Where is the best place to access the gears ?

Before getting into the LED upgrade, I'd likely do the factory or other suitable replacement bulbs as a start

Anyone have a source/part No. ?

Its a 1997 45 DA - has the dash panel - no remote

BEST !

RWS

 

To be honest, I don’t know if mine works.

 

This is where I get the light bulbs, about half the price elsewhere. Shipping was a bit high though at $9. Get four so you have a couple of spares.
https://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/lampjcs12v55wg635.html

 

===========================================

OK THANKS !

Guess I'm committed - (or ought to be )

$80.77 for 4 bulbs and shipping

Next step: take it apart and find the gear(s) and other broken pieces.

NEED PARTS SOURCE PLEASE

THEN

Determine the cause of failure and prevent it from happening again.

BEST !

RWS

 

Well, look what the cat dragged in.........

Does this appear to be applicable to our vintage searchlights?

BEST !

RWS

 

Yup…that’s it’s. Follow the thread above for some new bulbs, a couple gear motors and a paint job, and you going to be the proud owner of a very new looking and very functional ACR-100 sport light!

I knew we could sucker you into fixing it!

 

Here’s the thread where I rebuilt mine. Includes links to new gear motors and recommended ratios.

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/arc-rcl-100-spotlight-repairs.89141/#post-1010405

Search on ACR-100 troubleshooting and there is a .pdf that will lay how to check that you have power to the right spots

Dave

 

Mine has the same issues - following

 

Hi All,

I have a ACR RCL-100 success story. Thanks to everyone's input and knowledge along with the pdf I was able to rebuild my spotlight from my 1994 boat. Pictures before & after attached. Luckily both my motors were still functional and I was able to remove, refurbish and re-use them. I was able to source new gears and other components through Amazon. I did go a bit overboard cost wise and had all the pieces media blasted and powder coated but I think the results are worth it. Thanks again for all the knowledge shared by others.

 

Looks great!

 

Can I remove mine, ship it to you, and you rebuild it? And get it back to me within a week?

;-)

I'm kidding of course, might be a nice side business for you though.