ACR RCL-300A Searchlight Mounting and Installation Guide
Figure 1: RCL-300A Components
Figure 1: RCL-300A Components. The image displays the main components of the ACR RCL-300A searchlight system. Labeled parts include: (1) the searchlight head unit, (2) the URP-102 Point Pad control unit, (3) the URC-300 Master Controller unit, (4) a detailed view of the URP-102 Point Pad, and (5) a detailed view of the URC-300 Master Controller with its associated wiring.
SECTION 2 - SEARCHLIGHT MOUNTING
Make sure the area is clean and dry. The searchlight can be mounted where desired, using appropriate length 5/16-inch diameter stainless steel fasteners. One set is provided in the mounting kit and four (4) nylon shoulder washers. The nylon washers prevent a galvanic reaction between the mounting hardware and the base of the searchlight. Be sure these washers have been inserted in the base mounting holes and that the mounting base gasket is securely in place before bolting down. Apply silicone grease to the bottom of the gasket to help in waterproofing the unit. When mounting, be sure the searchlight is able to rotate 360° without hitting any obstructions. For the drilling hole pattern, refer to the searchlight Mounting Template.
⚠️ CAUTION: Do not mount the searchlight upside down. Moisture cannot drain from the inverted light head assembly.
Self Park Feature
The RCL-300A has a Self-Park feature. The Self Park function will automatically return the light to a specific position when turned off. When mounting the light, determine in advance the direction that the light should face when it is turned off. Align the red marker on the base 180° opposite of the final facing direction.
To activate the Self-Park feature, press the "Speed" button on the URP-102 Point Pad™ for more than five (5) seconds.
Figure 2: URC-300 Master Controller unit (mounted upright) Single Point Pad connection configuration
Figure 2: URC-300 Master Controller unit (mounted upright) Single Point Pad connection configuration. This diagram illustrates the wiring connections for a single URP-102 Point Pad. It shows the Point Pad connected via RG-59 Coaxial Cable to the URC-300 Master Controller. The Master Controller is depicted with its power connections, including a 30 Amp fuse, and its connection to the RCL-300 Searchlight.
SECTION 3 - REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
The Remote Control System consists of the URC-300 Master Controller and the URP-102 Point Pad™. This system is compatible with 12 VDC through 24 VDC systems without modification.
SECTION 4 - URP-102 POINT PAD™
Case options
The URP-102 Point Pad™ is supplied as a surface mount unit. A flush mount option is provided. To switch mounting options, unscrew the six (6) screws on the unit's back plate and remove the front cover. Fit the Point Pad™ with the flush mount cover, replace the back plate and screw the unit back together.
Mounting
Both the surface mount and the flush mount options require access to the backside of the mounting location. Verify that there are not any obstructions behind the area where the switch is to be located, e.g., bulkheads, wires, plumbing or hardware. Check that the coax cable from the Master Controller can be routed to this location. Generally, the Point Pad™ should be mounted in a protected area.
Surface Mount
Install the surface mount Point Pad™ by drilling three (3) holes in the dashboard location using the Point Pad™ Surface Mount Template supplied in the Mounting Templates. Mount the Point Pad to the dashboard using the gasket, washers and nuts supplied. Apply a sealant around the bolt holes to protect from moisture intrusion.
Flush Mount
When the flush mount is selected, cut a rectangular hole in the dashboard location using the Point Pad™ Flush Mount Template supplied in the Mounting Templates. Use the gasket, washers, nuts and the two U-Clamps provided to secure the Point Pad™. Apply a sealant around the cut out to protect from moisture intrusion.
Connecting to the Master Controller
The Point Pad™ communicates with the Master Controller via standard television type RG-59 coaxial cable. The connectors are standard "F" type television connectors. The connector on the back of the Point Pad™ is located in the center of the panel for ease of installation. After the coax cable has been routed and the "F" connector is attached to the coax cable, screw the "F" connectors to the Master Controller and the Point Pad™.
Additional Point Pads™ (up to three) may be used with one (1) Master Controller. A standard "T" connector or RG-59 television type splitter is used for each additional Point Pad™. Limit the total length of all coax cable used to 300 feet.
SECTION 5 - URC-300 MASTER CONTROLLER
Mounting
The Master Controller can be mounted in any position near the searchlight that is protected from the weather. Check in advance that the coax cable from the Point Pad and the wiring harness from the searchlight can be routed to this location. Mount the Master Controller with the wires and coax facing down. Use an appropriate fastener for your mounting location. Use a sealant in fastener holes to prevent moisture intrusion.
General wiring scheme
⚠️ WARNING: The RCL-300 has a unique wiring scheme. Special attention must be paid to the following chart.
The Master Controller is supplied with an in-line fuse-holder on the Orange power lead. Use only 30 amp fuses in this fuse-holder. See chart below for the Master Controller wiring diagram.
⚠️ WARNING: Failure to follow this arrangement may damage components.
| Master Controller Wire | Searchlight Cable Wire | Wire Gauge (AWG) | Power Source Lead | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | 16 | +12 VDC or +24 VDC** | URC-300 Power | |
| Blue | 16 | Ground | URC-300 Ground | |
| Yellow | Yellow | 16 | Position Sensor Signal | |
| Green | Green | 16 | Position Sensor Common | |
| Red | Red | 16 | Up | |
| White | White | 16 | Down | |
| Black | Black | 16 | Right | |
| Brown | Brown | 16 | Left | |
| White | White | 12 | Lamp Power | |
| Black | Black | 12 | Lamp Ground |
⚠️ WARNING: This wire MUST be fused with a 30 amp fuse in the Master Controller's in-line fuse-holder.
Wiring to the searchlight
The RCL-300A searchlight is supplied with a 15-foot integral wire harness. If you must lengthen the wire harness, use heavy duty wire to minimize the voltage drop. This is especially important for the WHITE 12 AWG lamp power, BLACK 12 AWG lamp ground, ORANGE power wire and BLUE ground wires.
Following the wiring scheme above and Appendix C, use the supplied butt connectors to connect the Master Controller to the searchlight.
Wiring the Point Pad™
The RG-59 coax cable is supplied without the "F" connectors attached for ease of routing. After the Coax cable has been routed, strip the insulation and crimp the "F" connectors in place. Screw the "F" connectors to the Master Controller and the Point Pad™.
Wiring to the power supply
The power source must be a fused 12 VDC, 30-amp supply or a 24 VDC, 15-amp supply. Following the wiring scheme in Table 1, use the supplied butt connectors to connect the Master Controller to the power source. Refer to Table 2 for proper wire size for connection of the input power lines.
NOTE: As per the wiring scheme, the ORANGE wire is connected to the positive terminal and the BLUE wire is connected to the negative terminal of the power source.
⚠️ CAUTION: HID light systems, when first turned on, have a high inrush current requirement of 25 amps. If you activate the light and the lamps flicker on and off repeatedly, check the voltage being supplied. This condition can be experienced with voltage input of less than 11.5V.
Functions of the URC-300
The URC-300 Master Controller is designed to perform up to six different duties on searchlights, winches and other electrical devices. The Master Controller provides optimum voltage to ensure brightest performance and long lamp life, regardless of boat system voltage fluctuations. The Master Controller is compatible with devices requiring 12 VDC through 24 VDC operation.
Figure 5: Master Control Unit URC-300
Figure 5: Master Control Unit URC-300. This image shows the URC-300 Master Controller unit with a label indicating its model number and compatibility with 12V/24V systems. It also displays a wiring scheme diagram with color-coded connections for Orange (+), Blue (-), and other wires, along with notes on matching searchlight wires and hand-tightening connections.
