Globrite replacement frustration

[spenserj87]

I have two globrites that have failed, out of warranty of course. I read that the 2024 manufactured units are better, so I bought two replacements. One has been an easy replacement, unlocked from the niche, pulled a pull line through conduit from pool side, new one pulled back through and installed, easy.

The second one has fought me to the extreme. First, trying to unlock from the niche, the lens cover twisted off. Finally got that resolved and unlocked the light from the niche. But it won't budge. Pulled the light from poolside to the point where the light housing pulled off/free of the wire. I've tried pulling wire from pool equipment pad, wire won't budge either direction in conduit.

I'm now trying to feed a fish tape through with wire in place, no joy yet. No idea why this one is stuck. Pool build was only 4 years ago, conduit run isn't more than 65 feet with two turns, I'm pretty sure wire isn't glued in place as the original wire wasn't run till well after conduit was placed.

Not sure what tricks to use. I can get a good grip on pool equipment pad side of wire, but not sure how to pull beyond human strength. It hasn't moved it at all.

Any tips?

 

[HermanTX]

Maybe @1poolman1 has some ideas for you.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

How far can you get the fish tape thru from either end? If one end goes 20' and the other goes 45' (45+25=65') you have found your trouble. It most likely will not be that simple. Possibilities include the existing wire kinked at a bend, debris clogging the path or a broken path. Unfortunately if you can't HULK it thru you will probably have to dig to repair the conduit. Hopefully if digging is required, it is not under concrete.
I came across your post while looking to add my own globrite story. After having 3 globrites replaced (luckily under warranty) I started doing my own investigating. All the lights had failed for the same reason. Water had somehow entered the housing and shorted the circuit boards. These lights have a bad reputation for water leaking into the housing, evidently caused by the very hot temperatures they run at.
While the pool repairman was here, I noticed that the water proof splice box where all the conduits come together (Approx 12 in above ground) and the wires get spliced to the transformer had residue in it. All three conduits to the pool also had water in them to a level approx 1 in below the entrance to the splice box. All the wires of the defective lights were damp where the outer jacked is removed.
I believe during rain storms, the water in the conduits was filling to a point above the protection of the outer protective water proof jacket and slowly seeping into the interior of the protective jacket to the light housing causing the failure. I mentioned all this to the tech and he said that is normal from his experience.
After the repairman left, I drilled 1/8 inch drain holes 2 inches from the bottom of the wire proof splice box. This all took place in February 2024. I just checked today (after heavy rains) and the splice box is clean, no water stains or bug intrusions. There are water stains running down the exterior of the conduits from the vent holes I drilled, proving water was going above that level.
Hopefully this will eliminate some of the globrite problems many of us have been having. Good luck all!