Replace or Kill that Darn ACR Remote Controlled Spotlight

Maybe A Dancer

Maybe A Dancer

Became a Dancer 12/23/21
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Aug 20, 2021
1,309
Florida West Coast
Boat Info
Started out as MAYBE A DANCER
Became a Dancer - 12/23/21
Engines
450 DA Sundancer running CAT 3126
Lots has been posted in the FORUM about repairing/upgrading the factory installed ACR spotlight.

I'm not inclined to invest the time into doing this repair, and will likely remove the light and install a deck plate in it's place.

However, if there was a REASONABLE, new, complete replacement available, I would consider just swapping it out, especially if I could use the existing wiring, but $1,500.00 for an item that would see little use doesn't meet my cost/benefit analysis. I'll just continue with the 3 cell LED mag light at the helm, which gets the job done easily from a Sundancer helm with almost no loss of night vision.

Has anyone swapped one out to a newer version with GOOD LONG-TERM RESULTS?

BEST !

RWS
 
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
 
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.
 
Have your canvas guy whip up a spotlight cover, problem solved long-term :)

upload_2022-11-18_8-5-11.png
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
Alex F said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.

getthumb

getthumb
 
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
 
Maybe A Dancer said:
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
Click to expand...
No, that shows the gears are broken. again easy fix
 
Alex F said:
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?
Click to expand...
that sounds like the contacts like Tom said.
 
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