AGP Lights

[Hayseed]

I am wanting to light up my pool, the wife wants just white, I would like the option of other colors too. What type lights are the majority here using, if the light has the option to be all white and can be changed to other colors while wife is not in would be great. Most use battery or AC. I know they have floating lights and hang over the side. Don't know how many lights would be adequate for 15 by 26 pool. Would guess 1 at each end. Heard about the rope lights that go under the top cap, that sounds real neat, anyone have these and can explain the pros and cons? All help is needed, I like to use experience, but I have none. So I rely on your experience

 

[Teald024]

Check out this thread . You can use the search box on the upper right as well.

 

[Jamison04]

I have the led strip under the top rail. They are secured to the very top of the bead reciever. It is a 24volt system and is not waterproof out of the package and by no means rated for pool use. The strip itself is encased in a flexible clear waterproof housing however the connections are the main problem and need to be reworked so they are waterproofed. What I did was use clear heat shrink with adhesive that is used when connecting the electrical to well pumps down in the water table. Figured if that can keep the water out of the connections when they're submerged 125ft in the water under ground then it's definitely good enough for this.

They can be on any color or set to fade through all or colors of your choosing via a remote or a Bluetooth app, even flash and change color to music.

 

[brunnesa]

I have one of these: http://www.poolspanews.com/products/pools-and-backyard/lumi-o-presents-solar-powered-led-swimming-pool-light_o

It works great!

 

[phonedave]

I used to have an Aqualuminator.

I would advise against it. It works well, when it works. I went thought a number of bulbs and they are not cheap.

You also have to use the Aqualuminator fitting instead of a normal return fitting, which I did not like, because it does not accept a threaded plug.

 

[DaneCE]

I used to have an Aqualuminator.

I would advise against it. It works well, when it works. I went thought a number of bulbs and they are not cheap.

You also have to use the Aqualuminator fitting instead of a normal return fitting, which I did not like, because it does not accept a threaded plug.

I have a Pentair Aqualuminator. So far my original bulb has lasted 29 months but I don't turn it on much. You don't have to use the return option. I have my light on the opposite side from my return, I just plugged that connection off.

 

[Hayseed]

I have the led strip under the top rail. They are secured to the very top of the bead reciever. It is a 24volt system and is not waterproof out of the package and by no means rated for pool use. The strip itself is encased in a flexible clear waterproof housing however the connections are the main problem and need to be reworked so they are waterproofed. What I did was use clear heat shrink with adhesive that is used when connecting the electrical to well pumps down in the water table. Figured if that can keep the water out of the connections when they're submerged 125ft in the water under ground then it's definitely good enough for this.

They can be on any color or set to fade through all or colors of your choosing via a remote or a Bluetooth app, even flash and change color to music.

Jamison do you have a link to these lights, and a link to the shrink wrap stuff you spoke of, I would really like to attempt this

 

[phonedave]

I have a Pentair Aqualuminator. So far my original bulb has lasted 29 months but I don't turn it on much. You don't have to use the return option. I have my light on the opposite side from my return, I just plugged that connection off.

How do you mount the light to the pool then? The Aqualuminator light is about 4 inches long, and the holder for it goes through the pool wall.

Even if you are not using it as a return for water to go through, you still have to winterize it.

 

[DaneCE]

How do you mount the light to the pool then? The Aqualuminator light is about 4 inches long, and the holder for it goes through the pool wall.

Even if you are not using it as a return for water to go through, you still have to winterize it.

I used a hole saw to make a new hole. I don't close my pool because I like to keep it looking pretty year-round. I like needing to do nothing extra in the Spring. When the water gets above 78 I swim...so no, I don't "winterize" anything with my pool or equipment.

 

[Jamison04]

Jamison do you have a link to these lights, and a link to the shrink wrap stuff you spoke of, I would really like to attempt this

Hey sorry for the delay, I've been out and getting ready for a trip.

The lights I bought online though an led supplier, can't remember off the top of my head, xled or something like thst. I want to say it was like $180 and came in a 96ft long roll. The pool has a circumstance of just over 74ft so I had to order longer than needed.
The entire strip is encased in a flexible clear pvc sleeve so unless it gets cut water won't reach the actual led strip array.

The actual connection is not in the vicinity of inside the pool, the strip goes up and under the top rail and then around the pool. The power supply is plugged into a gfci outlet and is mounded up under the deck in a plastic case to keep water out . The end where the led strip was cut is encased in the clear heat shrink with adhesive inside. I even encased the connection point in the heat shrink just to be safe. As for where I bought the heat shrink, Lowe's. It's in the section where the well pumps and pressure tanks are located.

This is totally not rated for pool use but my dad is an electronics technician and he felt it was plenty water tight so didn't think it was much of an issue around the pool. The transformer and connections are your main concern for waterproofing.

 

[Hayseed]

Thanks for the information, i was thinking hot light and cold water equals burnt bulb. Lights to buy to much for my wallet, maybe I can find some cheaper alternative. Sure giveyour pool an inviting look.

 

[BamaB]

What clips are you using. Did you stick them to the liner. I cant find anything that will stick.

 

[Jamison04]

Since the other lights mentioned have their own mounting hardware I'm going to assume you're asking me about the led strips.

My liner is beaded so it's held in place with double sided tape at the very top edge of the bead reciever, right up under the top rail.

 

[MrBfromNC]

Since the other lights mentioned have their own mounting hardware I'm going to assume you're asking me about the led strips.

My liner is beaded so it's held in place with double sided tape at the very top edge of the bead reciever, right up under the top rail.

Jamison, if I wanted to put an LED rope light on the OUTSIDE of my pool wall instead of the inside, it might be a little safer if everything wasn't 100% watertight sealed, right? I know it wouldn't produce the same effect, but more like a halo around the pool instead of a highlighting of the water inside the pool.

Just thinking about safer and cheaper install vs. coolness factor.

 

[phonedave]

I used a hole saw to make a new hole. I don't close my pool because I like to keep it looking pretty year-round. I like needing to do nothing extra in the Spring. When the water gets above 78 I swim...so no, I don't "winterize" anything with my pool or equipment.

Well that explains it. You are not using it as a return, so you don't have to deal with their strangely angled neck on the thing, and you don't have to try and hunt down their elusive adapter if you want to hard pipe.

You also never winterize your pool, so you don't have to deal with the "push the light out while you have an other person hold the water back with a folded rag until you can get a plug in place" maneuver. Nor do you have to deal with the "the plug came out because of the non-threaded, smooth wall, tapered, port in the light and now my backyard is a skating rink" situation.

For some reason, you don't seem to go through light bulbs. I did. It's not as if I used them all of the time. It's also not like I abused them. Always took them out before a freeze and stored them properly. They still burn out, at least for me (and they are not cheap).

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I still would not recommend one.

-dave

 

[Jamison04]

You can certainly do anything with the right amount of prep. Rope lights are built no different than the led strip that I've used. Would it be safe on the outside, probably much more so. But it still isn't technically rated for use around water. Obviously this doesn't stop us from doing it tho.

As with everything you have to use at your own risk and discretion. I won't tell someone yes it's safe or not. But yes the effect would probably cool.

I can only count 3 times where we were actually in the water at night with these on anyway. Mainly I wanted it for the look while outside or sitting pool side.

 

[DaneCE]

Well that explains it. You are not using it as a return, so you don't have to deal with their strangely angled neck on the thing, and you don't have to try and hunt down their elusive adapter if you want to hard pipe.

You also never winterize your pool, so you don't have to deal with the "push the light out while you have an other person hold the water back with a folded rag until you can get a plug in place" maneuver. Nor do you have to deal with the "the plug came out because of the non-threaded, smooth wall, tapered, port in the light and now my backyard is a skating rink" situation.

For some reason, you don't seem to go through light bulbs. I did. It's not as if I used them all of the time. It's also not like I abused them. Always took them out before a freeze and stored them properly. They still burn out, at least for me (and they are not cheap).

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I still would not recommend one.

-dave

Were you able to retrofit your housing with an LED? I had that thread bookmarked and realized that you had posted there. When my light dies I will be trying the LED thing.

 

[Hayseed]

I used a hole saw to make a new hole. I don't close my pool because I like to keep it looking pretty year-round. I like needing to do nothing extra in the Spring. When the water gets above 78 I swim...so no, I don't "winterize" anything with my pool or equipment.

You don't close your pool! What do you do when it snows three feet and pool is a block of ice, cut a hole and do some fishing?

 

[DaneCE]

You don't close your pool! What do you do when it snows three feet and pool is a block of ice, cut a hole and do some fishing?

A foot of snow is about the best I can do in SE VA. Normally I get a few days each Winter that don't get above 30 and nights in the teens so my pool will have 1/4" to 1/2" of ice. If it snows on top of that ice it looks pretty cool...actually dangerous if you didn't know a pool was there.

 

[Hayseed]

This maybe an old idea already out their but I have just thought of it for an application I might try in the future. Take the el cheapo non water proof type, rope lights, install them inside clear plastic tubing, bought for the length needed , and clip the tubing to the rim of the pool. Should be water proof inside the tubing, sealed off with silicone at their ends.