Changing Light Niche sealing ring without draining the pool

[drimacdaddy]

Hi. The brass sealing ring (10 hole Amerlite) around my light niche has corroded to the point that the screw hole for attaching the light has dissappeared. I have purchaed a new stainless steel sealing ring and the requisite seal. My quesiton is this...would it be a good idea to attempt changing the sealing ring without draining the pool below the light niche? I've seen some forum posts which have mentioned that it's ok to do so, but i'm a little reluctant, since i'm not sure what the implications are of getting water behind the liner.

I'll do what I have to do, but my pool is a 20 x 40. If I can avoid draining and refilling 9000 gallons of water, I'd like to do so.

Advice?

 

[borjis]

I was going to say yes until you mentioned the vinyl liner.

Can't see any way to do it proper without draining down first.

 

[Divin Dave]

I dont think you can do it withough draining the water, and draining that much could put your liner at risk.
Even if you liner didnt wrinkle in the shallow end, it very well might leak around the light niche hole. That wouldn't be good either.

If there were any way to put off replacing the ring until time for a new liner, that would be the best thing to do.

If the biggest problem is the screw tab which holds the fixture in, you could try one of the things in the link below. THis is a common problem and this little gadget seems to do the trick.
Pool Tool Light Wedge 132- Light Parts/J-Box- 132- Pool Products- DiscountPoolMart.com

 

[drimacdaddy]

Oh my gosh, Dave...you just saved my bacon. That is perfect! I'm a year away from a new liner...I'll wait until then for the niche ring. In the meantime, the light wedge will work like a champ.

Thanks again.

Mike

 

[Divin Dave]

Glad I could help Mike..

 

[dford8583]

What if there were a leak and the sealing ring were corroded? I have a sealing ring that has corroded away and I have developed a leak. What should I do? Can I replace the sealing ring and gasket without draining or should I drain to below the light level and replace that way? What are the risks involved?