Tugmuts Archive 27 Ranger, search light not working

[tyronetpt]

I have a 27 ranger tug , just purchased. I turned the search light panel on, but the search light does not work.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

On our R-23 you must turn on the control panel switch but then there’s a remote control that actually operates the light. Turning the control panel switch on is necessary but doesn’t make the light come on. Do you have a remote control?

 

[CaspersCruiser]

On my 2012 R27, to operate the searchlight:

1) The nav light switch must be ON

2) The SEARCHLIGHT switch on the DC power panel must be ON

3) Then operate using the searchlight panel.

Make sure the bulb is good and that there is power and ground reaching the light. On my boat, there is a 4-pin connector at the back of the mast that provides power and ground to the white nav light and the search light. When my searchlight ceased functioning, there was a wire pulled out of a pin in that connector.

 

[tyronetpt]

Thanks to everyone responding to my search light problem. I will take your advice into consideration.

 

[knotflying]

When you say it does not work, do you mean the light or the ability to oscillate it? I also hate to tell you this, but it isn't the best for seeing at night. You get a lot of reflection off the rails. Some people have made modifications to narrow the beam and have also relocated it. A hand held out the window works better.

 

[dougxn]

Well I have a 2015, bought it with a non-functional searchlight. The guy that surveyed the boat said it is a common problem. He recommended just buying a hand searchlight [emoji2369] I am thinking about hunting down the problem. My guess is the connectors… we shall see[emoji316][emoji95]


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[Gin]

+ 1 on the recommendation to use a handheld.

I do a fair amount of nighttime Christmas parading in the Portland, OR area. We get lots of debris in the water during storms. The remote Marinco on the mast is all but useless for spotlighting that debris both to avoid it and to highlight it for other boaters. High lumen quality handhelds work far better, and are more versatile in general. I have considered removing the mast spotlight entirely. But I’ll leave it unless I can use the space on the mast for something else (I dream of someday having a FLIR thermal camera up there).

Gini

 

[knotflying]

I have this one and carry a spare battery to switch out and charge. https://store.marinebeam.com/rechargeable-handheld-led-spotlight/

 

[Todd Tugnut]

Searchlights and windlasses are “use it or lose it” items. It’s easy to go a long time without them. Suddenly you need them and they don’t work. Exercise them once in a while.

 

[sfladgard]

+1 on the rechargeable hand held spotlights; far more versatile, can be aimed in any direction and transferred to dinghy if necessary.

have been using this for over 5 years on boat and at home:
https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine- ... 64657.html

 

[dougxn]

Well I have a 2015, bought it with a non-functional searchlight. The guy that surveyed the boat said it is a common problem. He recommended just buying a hand searchlight [emoji2369] I am thinking about hunting down the problem. My guess is the connectors… we shall see[emoji316][emoji95]


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Just looked up a replacement for the original- wowza! That sucker seems to cost 1200. West bay has a knock off look alike for 500.

I have the light at home now looking through it to see if it is worth a fix, but I bought a hand held in the interim so I have a light [emoji362]

There are several go light products that look like they maybe a good replacement [emoji51] Anyone own one or have experience with this brand?


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[bradf]

I find the mounted Marinco oscillating searchlight very useful for navigating at night, great for picking out distant markers and buoys where reflection off the deck and rail is not a concern. I also have a high powered handheld searchlight as a back up, useful for finding our way into an unfamiliar harbors with objects in close proximity. So it’s good to have both if you spend much time navigating at night. Having replaced the expensive Marinco once already (under warranty), I am very careful to exercise it periodically, rinse it with fresh water and retract it by rotating it backwards facing the cabin when not in use. This helps protect the sensitive workings from the corrosive salt spray. Hope this helps.

 

[tranmkp]

FWIW, I just finished fixing my searchlight on my 15-27 classic. I would not move vertically. I was very easy. Take out the lens, remove remove 3 wires (pos - neg - grd), slide out housing. YOu will see little motors (look just like slot car motors) in my case the nylon gears were smashed together - and the motor did not turn easily. Remove motor and sprayed some Kroil into it. Then turned shaft by hand until it was smooth as butter. Did it to the other one too. Then used some Vaseline on the gears - put it back together and saves 1500 bucks.

Yes, there is some kickback off the deck and railing - not big deal to mitigate. Im going to scrim the lower part of the light.

 

[CaptT]

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?i ... on+Marinco

I purchased one of these when they were on sale a couple of months ago. I prefer the white housing verses the fake, plastic chrome one that came with the boat. The plastic chrome was destroyed by UV sunlight here in Florida. Not much cheaper than the West Marine but $100 is $100!

Terry

 

[dougxn]

Well I have a 2015, bought it with a non-functional searchlight. The guy that surveyed the boat said it is a common problem. He recommended just buying a hand searchlight [emoji2369] I am thinking about hunting down the problem. My guess is the connectors… we shall see[emoji316][emoji95]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just looked up a replacement for the original- wowza! That sucker seems to cost 1200. West bay has a knock off look alike for 500.

I have the light at home now looking through it to see if it is worth a fix, but I bought a hand held in the interim so I have a light [emoji362]

There are several go light products that look like they maybe a good replacement [emoji51] Anyone own one or have experience with this brand?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So just a quick follow up disconnected the searchlight, cleaned all the connectors, checked onboard connections and put everything back .

Searchlight is now working again. I bought a backup from Amazon that works well. So that is that!


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[dougxn]

On our R-23 you must turn on the control panel switch but then there’s a remote control that actually operates the light. Turning the control panel switch on is necessary but doesn’t make the light come on. Do you have a remote control?

Well, built in over the steering wheel.


Somewhere on the water [emoji97]

 

[Rocky Lou]

I used mine recently for a few Bluefin tuna runs. Seemed like all that I could eluminate well was the rails on the bow and almost no forward view of the water. I tried every possible position and scan method with little to no benefit. I'd consider handhelds for future runs.

 

[tranmkp]

FWIW, I just finished fixing my searchlight on my 15-27 classic. I would not move vertically. I was very easy. Take out the lens, remove remove 3 wires (pos - neg - grd), slide out housing. YOu will see little motors (look just like slot car motors) in my case the nylon gears were smashed together - and the motor did not turn easily. Remove motor and sprayed some Kroil into it. Then turned shaft by hand until it was smooth as butter. Did it to the other one too. Then used some Vaseline on the gears - put it back together and saves 1500 bucks.

Yes, there is some kickback off the deck and railing - not big deal to mitigate. Im going to scrim the lower part of the light.

Having fixed the "movement" of the searchlight - The bulb burnt out last week. I ordered a new sealed beam. and for the life of me Ive forgotten where the red, white and black wires connect to the sealed beam!!