Leak in Pentair Microbrite LED fitting

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dandannoodles

Well-known member
Jun 30, 2020
55
Southern California
Pool Size
11000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
My pool is leaking! I isolated the leak to one of the Microbrite LEDs, as it connects to the fitting. Here's a video:

photos.app.goo.gl

New video by Daniel Sun

photos.app.goo.gl photos.app.goo.gl

My pool builder is ducking me so I'm just going to fix this myself.

I assume I need to buy the installation tool (I don't think I have it), unscrew the light, use plumber's tape around the threads and reinstall? Not sure if there is an O-ring back there but I can check that as well. I want to avoid draining the pool.

Any thoughts or advice before I get wet?
 
As far as i know the Microbrites are installed in a flooded conduit for cooling. There is an o-ring that comes with the light (along with the tool) however If it is sealed but the conduit is leaking the water behind it will drain and you then run an overheating risk
 
dandannoodles said:
Yep, I saw this. So looks like it's ok not to have a flooded conduit? Assuming I follow these instructions? Ok to do this underwater?
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Looks that way, as far as doing it underwater , depends on how it was installed as to how much of a pita that will be. 4 of my 5 microbrites have been replaced and we are approaching the end of our 3yr warranty in July. When they have been replaced it was found that the installer left 0 slack (installed the fixture , pulled the wire tight and wired up). You'll need to be able to get the light out of the water , unscrew the 1.5 mip sleeve, install the o-ring , lube and put it back without loosing the lube. You may need to fully disconnect the light at the pad and attach a pull rope/string/wire so you can get the fixture on the deck. Does not sound impossible, but not fun. Looks like you've been dealing with this since last season so probably no more difficult then chasing the chemical balance while you're losing water.
 
Ahultin said:
Looks that way, as far as doing it underwater , depends on how it was installed as to how much of a pita that will be. 4 of my 5 microbrites have been replaced and we are approaching the end of our 3yr warranty in July. When they have been replaced it was found that the installer left 0 slack (installed the fixture , pulled the wire tight and wired up). You'll need to be able to get the light out of the water , unscrew the 1.5 mip sleeve, install the o-ring , lube and put it back without loosing the lube. You may need to fully disconnect the light at the pad and attach a pull rope/string/wire so you can get the fixture on the deck. Does not sound impossible, but not fun. Looks like you've been dealing with this since last season so probably no more difficult then chasing the chemical balance while you're losing water.
Click to expand...
I've been going through CYA and salt like crazy. And the chlorinator is cranked up.

So looks like I just need to buy an o-ring, the removal tool and silicone lube...
 
dandannoodles said:
I've been going through CYA and salt like crazy. And the chlorinator is cranked up.
Click to expand...
Definitely sounds like a leak, I currently have my swg on a ~17k gallon pool in SoCal at 10% (running 24/7) to get the FC down a bit as I was lax with it at 35% for a bit and when i got back from a week long trip had fc at ~20 :D . Ive been running ~25% in winter and~35% in summer
dandannoodles said:
So looks like I just need to buy an o-ring, the removal tool and silicone lube...
Click to expand...
If you can get ahold of your builder, I bet they throw a ton of those away as they come with each light. Quite Possible someone on here that has recently replaced a microbrite has a set and would throw it in the mail.
 
Ahultin said:
@dandannoodles what area of socal are you? I have an extra removal tool that I can throw in the mail if it helps
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I'm in Orange County. Super nice of you to offer. At the moment, I'm in touch with Pentair and they sent me a form to fill out, which will put my products under warranty. Assuming I can get some info from my pool builder, Pentair said they can submit a work order and have someone come out and do the repair... so I'm going to give it a shot! Hopefully my builder responds... since I'm literally doing all the work for him.
 
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