Flooded Light Fixture - Tips for Replacing/Repairing?

[pool_novice]

Hello! The latest issue I have discovered with my new old pool is that there is water in the light fixture. I didn't realize this until yesterday and we have used the light for night swims several times in the last few weeks - whoops.

I have only been in this house for a month and didn't have goggles to look at the light until yesterday so I have no idea how long it has been like this (could have been this way for years for all I know). Luckily the light is on the same circuit with a GFCI outlet which I believe should mean the light is GFCI-protected as well and would automatically shut off if water were to get into the socket? I used a plug tester on the GFCI outlet with the light on, and the light did shut off when tested.

I understand I can take out the set screw and float the fixture to replace the gasket and light bulb. It has probably been several years since this was last done, if ever (pool was installed in 1998 and is mostly original). I will just hope there is enough cord left by the installer.

If anyone has tips for this repair (particularly on safety) I would appreciate it. I hope I will not be opening a can of worms/creating more issues by pulling the fixture out.

 

[PoolStored]

Luckily the light is on the same circuit with a GFCI outlet which I believe should mean the light is GFCI-protected as well and would automatically shut off if water were to get into the socket?

You would expect the GFCI to pop if there is water in the socket.

De-energize the circuit at the breaker.
Single screw at 12 o'clock.
Remove the light and hope for enough cord.
Simple fix if enough cord.

If not, then you will have to remove the cord from the GFCI to pull the fixture. My cord is too short and I have to remove the connection to get the light out.

 

[pool_novice]

You would expect the GFCI to pop if there is water in the socket.

De-energize the circuit at the breaker.
Single screw at 12 o'clock.
Remove the light and hope for enough cord.
Simple fix if enough cord.

If not, then you will have to remove the cord from the GFCI to pull the fixture. My cord is too short and I have to remove the connection to get the light out.

Thanks for that - fingers crossed I have enough cord. If not I might be in a pickle considering how old the conduit and wire probably are.

 

[Mikes61]

Sorry for the bad news, but you will probably have to pull in a new fixture. I just did one of mine. 99% of the time they leak where the wires go into the back of the light. There’s no way to fix that if it’s the Amerilite fixture, which it looks like it is.

Pulling in a new light isn’t too difficult. The light fixtures are available on Amazon. Make sure to get one with enough wire.

 

[pool_novice]

Sorry for the bad news, but you will probably have to pull in a new fixture. I just did one of mine. 99% of the time they leak where the wires go into the back of the light. There’s no way to fix that if it’s the Amerilite fixture, which it looks like it is.

Pulling in a new light isn’t too difficult. The light fixtures are available on Amazon. Make sure to get one with enough wire.

I got the fixture out and bulb replaced, put back together with a new gasket, turned it on, and within a few seconds the GFCI tripped. I can’t see water in the fixture itself so I’m afraid just moving it around caused a short in the cord, perhaps right where it enters the fixture. The fixture and cord are probably 25 years old so I had a feeling something like this would happen.

Now I assume the only thing this do is pull a whole new fixture.

I have the breaker off but I want to turn it back on because I have some other plugs and lights on this circuit. The GFCI only trips when I turn the pool light switch on. Is it safe to keep the breaker on and pool light switch off?

 

[Mikes61]

I got the fixture out and bulb replaced, put back together with a new gasket, turned it on, and within a few seconds the GFCI tripped. I can’t see water in the fixture itself so I’m afraid just moving it around caused a short in the cord, perhaps right where it enters the fixture. The fixture and cord are probably 25 years old so I had a feeling something like this would happen.

Now I assume the only thing this do is pull a whole new fixture.

I have the breaker off but I want to turn it back on because I have some other plugs and lights on this circuit. The GFCI only trips when I turn the pool light switch on. Is it safe to keep the breaker on and pool light switch off?

Electricity scares me, especially in a pool.

The best thing to do would be disconnect the pool light wires to the leaking light that are in the junction box. The junction box should be in a nearby planter. You’ll need to disconnect it anyways to pull in a new light fixture. TURN OFF the main breaker before you do this.

My wife and I pulled in a new light fixture in my pool, it had water in it like yours. Get some orange 1000 lb flat pulling rope off EBay it will make it easier. I bought my new Amerilite fixture from EBay also. When you get the new light, take it apart and replace the bulb with a LED from Inyo Pools. I just did mine. It’s 35 watts instead of 500 watts and is color changing depending on how you cycle the wall switch. It was $75 from Inyo Pools.

You can PM me for details if you’d like. Or call a pool guy to see how much he gets to pull in a new light fixture. The fixtures are $400ish and it should take a couple hours labor. Someone has to get in the pool to feed the new wire into the conduit.

 

[pool_novice]

Electricity scares me, especially in a pool.

The best thing to do would be disconnect the pool light wires to the leaking light that are in the junction box. The junction box should be in a nearby planter. You’ll need to disconnect it anyways to pull in a new light fixture. TURN OFF the main breaker before you do this.

My wife and I pulled in a new light fixture in my pool, it had water in it like yours. Get some orange 1000 lb flat pulling rope off EBay it will make it easier. I bought my new Amerilite fixture from EBay also. When you get the new light, take it apart and replace the bulb with a LED from Inyo Pools. I just did mine. It’s 35 watts instead of 500 watts and is color changing depending on how you cycle the wall switch. It was $75 from Inyo Pools.

You’re right, after I posted above I realized the only safe thing to do is leave the breaker off or disconnect the wires at the box. I’ll do that in a bit.

I’m wondering if I want to do a new traditional fixture with an LED bulb as you suggest or if I might get a full-LED fixture with only 12V running to it. I’ll need to do some more research on these.

 

[Mikes61]

You’re right, after I posted above I realized the only safe thing to do is leave the breaker off or disconnect the wires at the box. I’ll do that in a bit.

I’m wondering if I want to do a new traditional fixture with an LED bulb as you suggest or if I might get a full-LED fixture with only 12V running to it. I’ll need to do some more research on these.

The LED fixtures are crazy expensive and apparently only last 2-3 years.

You can put in a new Amerilite fixture for $400ish and it will last 20 years. Just a thought.