Underwater lights in pool

[LifeintheSun]

Hi All,

Am a complete pool newbie, have just acquired an old house with a swimming pool (salt water cleaning system).

The underwater lights are not working and no power to the cables when the (broken) lamps were removed to inspect the cables.

Have no cash this season to fix this, so the electrician recommended to just fill the lamp cavities with Silicone to waterproof it all for this season and then fix it properly next season when/if I have some more funds.
Just wanted to check here to see if this is a sensible option for now?
Have attached photo of the lamp cavity.
Thanks in advance,

Trev

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! I can't tell from the photo, what size lights go in these holes? Is it for the small 3.5 inch LED type lights?

 

[LifeintheSun]

Welcome to TFP! I can't tell from the photo, what size lights go in these holes? Is it for the small 3.5 inch LED type lights?

Hi there,
The holes that show are for the screws to mount a large (18cm diameter light). I have attached another photo to show this and the attachments that go with it all. Just trying to find the best way to seal all this up so I can use the pool. Should I buy new lights (as I have cavities for 2 lights in my pool) and then silicone them to seal up the cavities, so when I finally get the electrics fixed I can wire the lights up? Or should I just fill the cavity with silicone to seal it all up for now?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[1poolman1]

Hi there,
The holes that show are for the screws to mount a large (18cm diameter light). I have attached another photo to show this and the attachments that go with it all. Just trying to find the best way to seal all this up so I can use the pool. Should I buy new lights (as I have cavities for 2 lights in my pool) and then silicone them to seal up the cavities, so when I finally get the electrics fixed I can wire the lights up? Or should I just fill the cavity with silicone to seal it all up for now?

Thanks,

Mark

No pictures. If the other end of the light cable is disconnected the pool is safe and you could use it as is.

 

[LifeintheSun]

No pictures. If the other end of the light cable is disconnected the pool is safe and you could use it as is.

Sorry my mistake, have added the picture now. The other end of the light cable is not disconnected, just is so rusty and old that no power is getting through. So, if I disconnect the other end, and/or ensure that the pool electrics are off, then the pool is okay to use?

 

[1poolman1]

Sorry my mistake, have added the picture now. The other end of the light cable is not disconnected, just is so rusty and old that no power is getting through. So, if I disconnect the other end, and/or ensure that the pool electrics are off, then the pool is okay to use?

Disconnect, even if it has to be cut. That way you're sure. DO NOT use the pool if the wire is connected to a power source.

 

[JamesW]

That looks dangerous.

What is the voltage?

Disconnect from power.

The lights should be replaced when you are ready to use lights again.

What make and models are the lights?

 

[1poolman1]

Hi there,
The holes that show are for the screws to mount a large (18cm diameter light). I have attached another photo to show this and the attachments that go with it all. Just trying to find the best way to seal all this up so I can use the pool. Should I buy new lights (as I have cavities for 2 lights in my pool) and then silicone them to seal up the cavities, so when I finally get the electrics fixed I can wire the lights up? Or should I just fill the cavity with silicone to seal it all up for now?

Thanks,

Mark

Most likely, that is a 12V system. There were pool lights made that used the old "high beam" bulb of an automobile that had 4 bulbs. Mostly were seen in fountains.

 

[JamesW]

They are in Spain, so different from the US.

 

[1poolman1]

They are in Spain, so different from the US.

The connections at the end of the wire in the pool indicate low voltage. They used the same auto bulbs in Spain. If old enough it could be 6V.

 

[JamesW]

We can guess, but the poster should be able to tell us for sure.

 

[LifeintheSun]

I believe it is 12volts, how would I confirm this?
And when you say disconnect to be sure, do you mean to disconnect from the circuit board/transformer and pull the wires out completely?

 

[JamesW]

Pictures of the transformer, labels, junction boxes, circuit breakers and everything else?

 

[1poolman1]

I believe it is 12volts, how would I confirm this?
And when you say disconnect to be sure, do you mean to disconnect from the circuit board/transformer and pull the wires out completely?

Voltage should be on the back of the bulb or embossed on the lens. If the end of the wire not at the pool is disconnected from whatever it was connected to there will be no power in it.

 

[LifeintheSun]

Please find the attached photos of the transformer and circuit box, I assume then that this shows that it is 12Volts to the lights?

 

[1poolman1]

Please find the attached photos of the transformer and circuit box, I assume then that this shows that it is 12Volts to the lights?

Power in appears to be 220V. Power out, 12V. Disconnect the wiring at the bottom of the transformer. Turn the breaker to that supplies the transformer off.

 

[LifeintheSun]

Okay got that sorted, now a further question.
We have now filled the pool and are now running the filtration process on the pool. We are just a little confused by the pipe and tap configuration as we think we followed the instructions (in Spanish) that the pool engineer told us, however, we see that one of the taps on the pipes is closed and we are not sure if this one should be open as well as the one next to it. Have attached a photo to show what I mean, if any one can advise if the tap on right (in the drawn circle) should also be open that would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance