Spa light questions (with photos)

[neutral0]

We've had a dark spa light for forever. I think it is hayward sp0590. I put in the bulb that was recommended online, and it fits just fine. the problem is that there is this weird spring thing that looks like it is supposed to go over the bulb, but there is absolutely no way i can pull it over the top. I don't see any instructions about what I'm supposed to do with it. Do i leave it on the side and put the bulb in next to it?

Also, the light is permanently wired in with a ground at the back of the fixture. The top of the housing should have a little metal tab on it to screw the face plate to the housing, but the tab is broken. The rest of the mounting plate has been covered up with whatever the coating on the spa is. If i want to replace the housing, do i chip away at my spa wall??? or is this a really bad idea? I have a weird makeshift part that allows me to screw in the light (not easy), but I'm sure water gets into the housing. Is this ok?

If i replace the whole thing, light and housing, will i have to have the spa resurfaced?

Thanks for your help!

 

[ajw22]

From Pool and Spa Lighting - PoolAndSpa.com Info And Tips

Inside some fixtures you will find a bare coiled spring wire. This is non-electrical but is designed to break a circuit. Notice that without a bulb in place, the spring lays to one side of the fixture. Hold it up against the opposite side and screw in the new bulb. The spring lays on the bulb itself. If the bulb bursts when in use, the spring sweeps across the filament, cutting the electricity in the circuit. In this way, if water has gotten into the fixture,a live electrical circuit won't stay in contact with the water, ultimately electrocuting someone in the pool.

What you probably have is a pool light wedge. The lights made to be submerged and wet on the outside. No water should get on the inside where the bulb is. The faceplate is not made to prevent water from getting around the light housing.

 

[neutral0]

That makes so much sense. And you were exactly right about the wedge. The light trim doesn't lay flat against the surface because of it, which bugged me, but it does stay in. We put in the new light bulb with the spring thing to the side and the light is on! I'll add one more note for anyone who wants to read this thread: The first time (many years ago) I think i did all of this correctly, but i turned on the light before I filled the spa. This time I read that if you do that it will short it out, which it did. (I'll leave it to someone else to explain why.) Thanks so much for helping!

 

[ajw22]

i turned on the light before I filled the spa. This time I read that if you do that it will short it out, which it did. (I'll leave it to someone else to explain why.)

Pool lights use the pool water to cool them. If you trun a pool light on for more then a minute or two out of the water the light can overheat and burn out prematurely.