Restoring old spot light

[nigelbear]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Foot controlled trolling motors have similar cables used to rotate the motor in the water. The older motorguides and johnsons are this style. They are not cheap new, but you could possibly find one elsewhere for less.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

FYI... I wrote to Attwood inquiring about replacement part and got a nice replay. As you might expect, they have no parts for spotlights that old. Interestingly enough, they did suggest searching E-bay, where they say they bought some of their own old products (for display purposes, I guess).

 

[BillP]

Re: Restoring old spot light

mark42, <br />I found a nos 1965 attwood bowlight on ebay cheap...it was $6.25 + shipping. <br /><br />Also, today I tried an aerosol chrome on an old zamak cleat to see what it looks like. The finish is somewhere between paint and chrome. It looks metallic but not quite "chrome". Better than paint and more original looking than other coatings. I'm doing two old chrome/zamak boat logos with the stuff.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Thanks for the tip, Bill. I was thinking of using the chrome paint on the company insignia I'm trying to reproduce by making a mold and casting w/resin. <br /><br />Have been keeping an eye on e-bay, but so luck so far.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Hey Mark<br /><br />Got any updates? I stripped all the hardware off my deck yesterday and I have the same light as you with the same problem. The twist cable was corroded enough to burst through the housing!<br /><br />cheers<br />Ethan

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

No news, Ethan. I check ebay weekly to see what I can find, but the boat parts are few during the winter months. Probably find more in the spring. Another plan of attack is to contact the boat salvage yards. If you want to find salvage yards, to to www.boattraderonline.com and search for boats under a $1000. Many of them are listed by salvage yards.<br /><br />If I can't find a working light, then I will order the cable listed earlier and make it work come hell or high water!<br /><br />Mark

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Hi Mark,<br /><br />I am impressed that you even knew where to look for that cable! Mine measured in at like 44" long. I wouldn't mind paying their aasking price if I was sure it would work<br /><br />My deck hardware looks to be worse off than yours. I will keep going forward as if I can restore these things (still siding with powder coating). <br /><br />Good news is that I got an original outdrive for my boat on EBAY. We will see what ccondition it is in, fingers crossed!

 

[andymc]

Re: Restoring old spot light

mark42<br /> thanx for the old phone book suggestion on the winshield. amazing with this whole internet thing we often forget to look in our own backyards. the boat is fast 85+ on the right conditions.anyway i found a guy in binghamton who thinks he can help.<br /><br />thanx again for making a newby feel welcome

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Andy,<br /><br />Your welcome! Hope that guy can help you.<br /><br />Egg, Let us know what contition its in. Interested in any e-bay purchase reports.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Eggkr8,<br /><br />I sent an email with the light photos to Mars Cable, manufactures of marine, truck and other cables to see if they have a universal type cable that might work. The cables in this picture with the red and chrome T handles may work if they are available in a slightly thicker size. Will keep you posted.<br /><br />Mark<br /><br />

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Thanks for the info Mark.<br /><br />I will try contacting them and see what they got. Do you know the technical term for this trype of cable? Is it just a control cable with swivel, push and pull capable?<br /><br />Still looking for a light. Nothing great on Ebay lately. Worse case I will sand mine, fill the pits with 'red lead' and paint it white<br /><br />I tested the bulb just off the boat's battery (all of which is in my basement!) WOW tat kicks off some light!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Eggkr8,<br /> Fiberglassics.com has some kinda routine that watches eBay for old stuff. I've seen several vintage spotlights the last few months. On their site goto forums, ebay sightings.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Thanks for the fiberglassics tip!<br /><br />Mark, I was the Mars Cable website. I didn't see any distribution arm in the America's, but their website is in english (Asian company, I forget which country specifically). Have they gotten back to you?<br /><br />Thanks<br />e

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Eggkr8,<br /><br />Got an email (twice) from Mars asking for a drawing or description of what I need. I asked them to give me an estimate based on the photos and dimensions supplied originally. <br /><br />There seems to be no difference between what they offer and what you can get from any of the push/pull cable suppliers. Teleflex / Morse seem to have a cable with threaded end, knob on other and panel mount. (see their catalog item (with knob: 018872-000-XXX)) <br /><br />I will probably just order from one of their distributors. <br /><br />Teleflex also has a budget 6' cable with threads at both ends for about $16. This will work with a little modification - add knob and panel mount. See the 3300 line in the catalog, you can buy it here: Supplier <br /><br />See catalog here: <br /> Teleflex Catalog <br /><br />Depending on the price, the Teleflex cable w/knob seems to be the ticket for now.<br /><br />How's the boat coming? Did you get the I/O yet?<br /><br />Mark<br /><br />EDIT-----<br /><br />Just got another email from Mr Sheu of Mars. Cable is $1.50 each. Catch: 1000 pieces minimum order. What part of "I need a cable to restore an old marine spotlight..." didn't they understand? I guess Mr. Sheu's english isn't up to snuff.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Hi Mark,<br /><br />That was about the answer I expected from a Taiwanese manufacturer. I have experimented with some business there in the past. They seems to specialize in high volume, low cost. Not really for the 'one off specials'<br /><br />But, the other way to look at it is there is you, and me, all we need are 998 more people that need the cables for the 1960's attwood spotlights and we can get a deal!!! lol<br /><br />Thanks for the links, I will hit them and try to add some more information tonight.<br /><br />I just got an email yesterday saing that my outdrive was just sent in two boxes, one day apart for some reason. I asked for tracking info and we will see where things are. I would love to have it for the weekend!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Here is a better link to teleflex catalog for just utility cables. Lists lengths they are available in. <br /><br /> http://www.tfxmarine.com/Pdf/Controls/TechCat3_1-ControlCables-UTIL.pdf#search='teleflex%20panel%20mount%20cable'

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Restoring old spot light

mark, have you checked for old spotlights in the<br />auto parts section of ebay yet? u know anything<br />that has "marine" next to the name costs twice<br />as much...<br /><br />http://motors.search.ebay.com/spotlight_Car-Truck-Parts_W0QQcatrefZC3QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfcclZ1QQfclZ3QQfromZR2QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ2 QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsacatZ6030QQsadisZ200QQsamcmZ6028QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Thanks again Mark. I will take precise measurements on my cable tonight, including length of threaded end pieces and measure the thread and it's diameter. Then I will call customer service at a few of these places. I will drop you a line with my findings<br /><br />Mellow, I am reading a great book on Marine electronics and it discusses the difference between Automotive and Marine. One of the major differences is the fact that Marine acessories will always have two leads (+/-) where an automotive accesory may only have one due to its ability to chassis ground on a car. A boat requires full circuit since it is not able to be chassis ground (fiberglass and wood anyways, I am not sure about Aluminum but would suspect it to be the same to prevent corrosion)

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Restoring old spot light

excellent point, but not realted to a simple 12V<br />spotlight... they are the same IMO.<br />things such as starters, alternators etc. are a<br />whole diff. story though.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring old spot light

Hi Mellowyellow,<br /><br />I check e-bay a few times a week. I had thought of using one of the auto spot lights, but they really won't work well because the handle will be too far to reach if mounted in the original location.<br /><br />From time to time I watch an auction but it's hard to be available all the time to make the winning big.<br /><br />Anyway, I figure I'll just fix the one I have, give it a coat of white epoxy paint to match the rest of the boat, and I'll have the right light mounted in the original place.<br /><br />I am surprised I don't see more of these Attwood spots showing up on e-bay. They were cheap and popular in the 60's.<br /><br />Edit:<br /><br />Called my local marine dealer and asked to get a price on the 36" Teleflex Universal cable with knob. Should hear from him tomorrow. And I forgot to mention that Teleflex tech support returned my call and I found out that the knob on the Universal Cable unscrews. That means I can put the original knob I have (uses set screw) on the Teleflex part. BTW they say the inner cable is 0.097" thick stainless steel. That should be strong enough to move this light.<br /><br />Mark