The search light for my boat-to-be is going to need to be pulled and repaired. Broker says it can be sent to Florida for a 100.00 rework (it will go partially up & down from both upper and lower stations but no side to side movement at all). Have a reasonible background in mechanical things, but this would be a first time endeavor. With all that may come up with "setting up house" when we finalize purchase (hopefully, prayerfully, sacrifice chicken <several visits to KFC! ;-) > the end of this week, I'm leaning ever so slightly towards sending it off for repair. I can use a handheld major candlepower unit I've got should we decide to venture out onto the Ohio in the evening. (I can find Zinzinnati easily enough, it's just that I'd like to "wave off" any approaching barge traffic barrelin' down on me <or at least let 'em know I was the bump in the river they smooshed>).

Bill

I would like to know the repair place. I have not been able to find parts for mine. The rack & gear parts to move it up & down are stripped. Thanks, Wayne

I have a search light control switch issue on the fly bridge; works fine from the lower station. Any info on how to get a replacement control switch appreciated.
Jim

I checked the connections; some corrosion but tight. Cleaned and reattached, no luck. I think the switch must be suffering from the ravages of "fly bridge exposure" for 23 some odd years. I received an email from a wholesale group (sorry lost the website link, the mail came from Jabsco but it wasn't on their site?) but here is the response. I haven't called yet but I thought it might give someone else an opportunity to use. For what its worth.
Jim

"Thank you for your email. We do not sell direct but you can contact our searchlight service center for parts. Call L.B. Harvey at 1-800-856-1583. They will be able to assist you."
Have a good day.
Sincerely,
Maria Noble
Customer Service



-----Original Message-----
From: website@jabsco.com [mailto:website@jabsco.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 3:20 PM
To: Information, Rule - Marine & Leisure
Subject: jabsco.com Web Site Enquiry: 5, 7 & 8 Remote Control Searchlights 620xx-4 Series

Guys,
I have somewhat an unrelated question, I need to replace my spot light fixture/ bulb on my 72 express. Where might I find a replacement?
Thanks,
Rob

Thanks Doug

Well, better late than never...

Norm,

Don't know if you ever got any further info but this weekend I covered up the boat (you have no idea how heavy a 29' x 49' tarp can be. (This could be my "3rd engine" if I rigged it as a sail!")).

Pulled the light from the bow pulpit along with both upper and lower switches (which Jabsco said they'd want if I should send the light to them for repair). Traced the wires leading from the (I had to cut) cable coming from the bottom of the light (and leading to the upper/lower switches) to the motors inside the light. Found that the up/down motor works fine (used a battery with alligator clips to supply power). Reversing the Positive and Negative on the 2 wires leading to the motor gets the opposite up/down action.

Tried the same technique for the Left/Right motor - dead! No indication that the motor is trying to move at all. May be burned out. I need to get some probes back on the leads at the motor/wire connecting points and measure continuity with a VOM meter. If that proves out (as I expect it to) then all indications are the motor's bad.

Tried to pull the motor/gear assmbly from inside the light housing after removing what appears to be the only 6 screws holding the motor/gear mounting bracket to the light's housing. Not budging, so I'm guessing there's something else that I'll need to loosen/remove (on the mounting stem?) to get that assembly out. Once out I'd have to believe that the replacement of the left / right motor should be pretty straight forward if I can locate the motor. Jim's post above may be the source for that.

Bill

Bill,
Had the same problem with the light my boat. Got tired of playing around with it and removed the thing. Still have the controls but replaced it with a hand held unit which is recrhargable and will last about 2 weeks . I love being on the water at night and know where am, most of the time. Not recommending you do this, because i don't know your location and how long you have been boating. In my opion get it fixed or replaced with a new one, or motor for your horizontal movement. Safety first though!!!
Mark

The problem with the hand held ones is that you have to hold them.. I just think it's kind of a pain, and you have to hold it outside the helm area or shine it through the windshield, where it reflects back at you.. At least on my express when you are driving from the lower station..
And you only have as much freedom of motion as the cable plugged into the cig lighter ( oops, nowadays referred to as something I can't remember.. I still call them lighters..) will give you as it wraps around the wheel and the captain.

Sean

Sean, your right about the hand held reflecting back when the window is closed on the helm; no FB on mine. Windows wide open most of the time ,unless rain. Buoy finder not docking lights . Since i said that nasty two words , docking lights.. do you have the same problem of boaters using them as head lights. Can't tell if there coming or going. I would rather them use a couple of flambo's.

Power port on a 72 , come on Jeff.... Cig. lighter Mark