ACR-Spot light installation.

[pescador]

I’m considering installing one of these on my anchor pulpit. I don’t normally navigate in the dark. It’s a safety consideration more than anything Just in case. I’ve been eyeing the ACR’s for years. I know LED is better but cost is double and it’ll be rarely used. I want remote control and the ability to see docks and move at low speeds. Anybody out there got an ACR? Any issues/recommendations.

ACR RCL-75 Remote control searchlight - 501-1946 - The Harbour Chandler Ltd.

180,000 Candela Dual lamp design provides redundancy/reliability Bright, powerful halogen beam.

www.harbourchandler.ca

 

[ericl]

That light's output is rated in candela (candle power) which rates light output that shines in a particular direction, so it can be greatly influenced by the reflector design. Most lights are rated in lumens, which is a measurement of light cast in all directions. If a light source such as an incandescent bulb puts out 100 lumens in a 360 degree circle, 120 degrees of the light would be useful in a floodlight application (about 33 lumens); and if a fairly good reflector/lense is used the about 85% of the other 240 degrees of light would be useful in the same floodlight application. 1 candela equals about 12 lumens. Mfgr's may use either candela or lumens to rate their product; whichever makes it look better that the competition.

Every light type except LED puts out light in 360 degrees. LED's put out light in a 120 degree beam, so for a flood light no reflector/lense would be required, and for a spot reflected light with it's associated power loss will be required.

A spotlight uses a much narrower beam so in all case (LED, non-LED) a reflector/lense is required.

LED's are at least 3 times more efficient than all other light sources except compact fluorescent which is never used in a spotlight application. LED will provide "more light per size of light housing at a much lower power consumption & therefore much lower heat output. I would imagine that your light to do a proper job would require at least 500 watts of power, which is a draw of over 40 amps in a 12volt system, so the 50% less power consumption of LED's is a big deal. Unless you are running at speed, your alternator will not put-out enough power & you will be drawing from battery power.

Most lights that you NEED to satisfy your requirement are in that price range. Some have a combo spot/flood beam.

 

[pescador]

That light's output is rated in candela (candle power) which rates light output that shines in a particular direction, so it can be greatly influenced by the reflector design. Most lights are rated in lumens, which is a measurement of light cast in all directions. If a light source such as an incandescent bulb puts out 100 lumens in a 360 degree circle, 120 degrees of the light would be useful in a floodlight application (about 33 lumens); and if a fairly good reflector/lense is used the about 85% of the other 240 degrees of light would be useful in the same floodlight application. 1 candela equals about 12 lumens. Mfgr's may use either candela or lumens to rate their product; whichever makes it look better that the competition.

Every light type except LED puts out light in 360 degrees. LED's put out light in a 120 degree beam, so for a flood light no reflector/lense would be required, and for a spot reflected light with it's associated power loss will be required.

A spotlight uses a much narrower beam so in all case (LED, non-LED) a reflector/lense is required.

LED's are at least 3 times more efficient than all other light sources except compact fluorescent which is never used in a spotlight application. LED will provide "more light per size of light housing at a much lower power consumption & therefore much lower heat output. I would imagine that your light to do a proper job would require at least 500 watts of power, which is a draw of over 40 amps in a 12volt system, so the 50% less power consumption of LED's is a big deal. Unless you are running at speed, your alternator will not put-out enough power & you will be drawing from battery power.

Most lights that you NEED to satisfy your requirement are in that price range. Some have a combo spot/flood beam.

Ok. Thanks for input. Sounds like LED or not worth it.

 

[nootkaassassin]

I have had no issues in 5 years with the Golight Led Stryker with the wireless handheld remote. Pricey yes,very bright yes, does tilt up and down and can rotate 360.

 

[Chasin' Dreams]

I've got two of them on my bow and love them for seeing buoy's at night time, markers, docks/coming into harbor in the dark, seeing dead heads in the dark etc. Mine are wired into remotes on my helm right at my fingertips. I wired them independent of each other and they rotate 360 degrees and up and down. Very powerful beams. I would recommend putting some silicon around the head of the units where there are any holes or lens gaps cause when salt moisture gets in there I have had to replace blown bulbs twice in about 6 years now. But no big deal there. Have also used them for warning other boaters that are approaching with no marker lights on or VHF's on in the dark.

My buddy has LED's on his boat and they are great for a wider more flood type lighting IMO but if you want a further more direct beam I think these are better but I haven't compared them to the newest LED technology spot/flood lights they got out now. My buddies LED's are about 4 years old I think.