LED Skimmer Face Plate Cover Light (ACM-197C)

magiteck · Jul 18, 2020

I was looking for a light for my AGP and didn’t want to replace my return or end up having to cut my top rail as seems common with the nightlighter. I took a chance and purchased a Champlain ACM-197C Skimmer face plate light even though I couldn’t really find any reviews, so I thought I’d share my experience here.

Only day 1, so I can’t speak to the longevity, but so far I’m pleased. It snapped right onto my skimmer plate without issue. Right now I just have the cord coming out the hole in the top of my skimmer cover, but it comes with a template to drill a 20mm hole on the upper area of the outside of the skimmer, and insert a grommet that the cord goes through. I’ll probably do this, since I got over my fear of drilling through the skimmer when I did my water bonding plate.

It didn’t seem to bright in the daylight but come darkness it gives a nice glow that illuminates the pool nicely.

We’ll see how long it holds up. There’s a one year warranty so at this point if it doesn’t survive the winter I’ll be covered next spring at least.

ajw22 · Jul 19, 2020

Very nice. Thanks for the report. :goodjob:

magiteck · Jul 20, 2020

Got around to drilling for the wire today. It’s a 20mm hole which is an obscure size apparently. I used a 4-20mm step bit (from Amazon) to drill the hole, it worked perfectly.

Here’s what the wiring exit looks like:

Mdragger88 · Jul 20, 2020

I have this exact light!
Got it about a year & half ago on amazon.
I like that I can control it from inside the house so that’s where I keep the remote.
Mine is not that bright because I have a pole light near my pool that I can’t turn off ☹
-i have yet to drill the hole in my skimmer but your post is encouraging so I will be brave & go for it soon!

BTW - i love your valve under your skimmer - need one of those too

magiteck · Jul 20, 2020

Mdragger88 said:
I have this exact light!
Got it about a year & half ago on amazon.
I like that I can control it from inside the house so that’s where I keep the remote.
Mine is not that bright because I have a pole light near my pool that I can’t turn off ☹
-i have yet to drill the hole in my skimmer but your post is encouraging so I will be brave & go for it soon!
BTW - i love your valve under your skimmer - need one of those too

I got mine from Dohenys for $120. ThePoolFactory I think had the same one for $149. Amazon of course is always a good option too if in stock.

These were the exact bits I got if you need. I used the middle one that goes exactly up to 20mm and just went all the way through.

Amazon.com: Step Drill Bit,Knoweasy 3pcs High Speed Steel Drill Bit for Metal Aluminium and Wood Drilling Hole: Home Improvement

Buy Step Drill Bit, Knoweasy 3pcs High Speed Steel Drill Bit for Metal Aluminium and Wood Drilling Hole: Step Drill Bits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And the Pentair valves I just added. Skimmer, return, and drain. Those were from Amazon as well:

Amazon.com : Pentair 263038 1-1/2-Inch 2-Way PVC Diverter Valve : Swimming Pool Filter Valves : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

magiteck · Jul 20, 2020

Mdragger88 said:
I have this exact light!
Got it about a year & half ago on amazon.
I like that I can control it from inside the house so that’s where I keep the remote.
Mine is not that bright because I have a pole light near my pool that I can’t turn off ☹
-i have yet to drill the hole in my skimmer but your post is encouraging so I will be brave & go for it soon!
BTW - i love your valve under your skimmer - need one of those too

Also - glad to hear yours is still working a season later!

magiteck · Apr 3, 2022

An update for anyone stumbling upon this thread. This would be year 3, and the light is dead, and visibly corroded inside so it’s clear that it let water in.

The cheapest I can find this thing for now is $169, and at that price I’m not likely to replace it given an expected ~ 2 year life. If the price comes back down I might consider it.

Not sure what I will do for lighting this year.

toolerb50 · Apr 4, 2022

Bummer. I have the Champlain return light instead of the skimmer plate and will have to inspect for cracks before putting it back into the pool this year after winter. It's been a great light so far at a little over a year.

Mdragger88 · Apr 4, 2022

magiteck said:
An update for anyone stumbling upon this thread. This would be year 3, and the light is dead, and visibly corroded inside so it’s clear that it let water in.

The cheapest I can find this thing for now is $169, and at that price I’m not likely to replace it given an expected ~ 2 year life. If the price comes back down I might consider it.

Not sure what I will do for lighting this year.

Last year mine died - i went on amazon & got these & placed them around the deck. They light up the water pretty well. They have different settings.
Solar Lights Outdoor 6 Pack, 100LED/3 Modes 270° Lighting Angle Motion Sensor Security Lights, IP65 Waterproof Wall Lights Solar Powered, Bright for Backyard Garden Fence Patio Front Door https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GPVRSY5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_59J6C9PH07APK9GEPPGX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

magiteck · Apr 8, 2022

Mdragger88 said:
Last year mine died - i went on amazon & got these & placed them around the deck. They light up the water pretty well. They have different settings.
Solar Lights Outdoor 6 Pack, 100LED/3 Modes 270° Lighting Angle Motion Sensor Security Lights, IP65 Waterproof Wall Lights Solar Powered, Bright for Backyard Garden Fence Patio Front Door https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GPVRSY5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_59J6C9PH07APK9GEPPGX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
View attachment 399127 View attachment 399128

I'm thinking about trying a handful of these. I don't expect them to be nearly as bright, but they're cheap enough and would hopefully give at least some glow to the water.

Doheny's Floating Solar Rainbow Light - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Looking for Doheny's Floating Solar Rainbow Light? We have this and more, in stock and at the lowest price.

www.doheny.com

Mdragger88 · Apr 9, 2022

If I had a deck all the way around the ones I got would really light things up! The multi pack was handy & i was able to find lots of places for them like at the equipment area, at the water hose etc.

kne · Apr 11, 2022

magiteck said:
An update for anyone stumbling upon this thread. This would be year 3, and the light is dead, and visibly corroded inside so it’s clear that it let water in.

The cheapest I can find this thing for now is $169, and at that price I’m not likely to replace it given an expected ~ 2 year life. If the price comes back down I might consider it.

Not sure what I will do for lighting this year.

Appreciate the follow-up review. I'm still looking for some kind of lighting, crossing this of the possibilities at the current price.

magiteck · Apr 14, 2022

Inspired by @Mdragger88 I ended up getting these:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07SCJ877F?

I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. I have them set up so they stay on “dim mode” from dawn to dusk, and go into “bright mode” whenever there’s motion. They claim a wide range of motion so I’m hopeful it will cover the entire pool area, but we’ll find out when it’s warm enough to swim.

Here’s how the lights look “dim”:

(You can see the actual lights on the left and right side).

And here’s a couple angles of the “bright mode”:

PS: I promise my water isn’t cloudy. It’s craaaazy windy out right now and those are waves.

Mdragger88 · Apr 14, 2022

I thought about finding a way to mount them to the top rail but I didn’t want them to interfere with Robert the robot

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LED Skimmer Face Plate Cover Light (ACM-197C)

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Amazon.com: Step Drill Bit,Knoweasy 3pcs High Speed Steel Drill Bit for Metal Aluminium and Wood Drilling Hole: Home Improvement

Amazon.com : Pentair 263038 1-1/2-Inch 2-Way PVC Diverter Valve : Swimming Pool Filter Valves : Garden & Outdoor

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