Leaking from Spa Niche.

[Poolquestion22]

We found a leak at the hub where the wire-cable entering in the back of the niche. it is probably a 3/4 or 1 inch hub. Previously they encased closed the entering wire-cable and the hub with epoxy putty to stop water from leaking out from our spa (attached to the pool) to surrounding ground. Over times, this encasing epoxy putty failed, now leaking. Need to replace the entire spa light Pentair 78106100 and try to stop the leak.

1. What is the better way to stop leak beside using epoxy putty to plug the hole (hub) with cable entering?

2. Can we prevent water from entering the Spa Niche housing the lite?

3. There is a small threaded tube and nut above the (cable) hub (see pic #2), what is that for, please?

pic #1

pic #2

 

[1poolman1]

We found a leak at the hub where the wire-cable entering in the back of the niche. it is probably a 3/4 or 1 inch hub. Previously they encased closed the entering wire-cable and the hub with epoxy putty to stop water from leaking out from our spa (attached to the pool) to surrounding ground. Over times, this encasing epoxy putty failed, now leaking. Need to replace the entire spa light Pentair 78106100 and try to stop the leak.

1. What is the better way to stop leak beside using epoxy putty to plug the hole (hub) with cable entering?

2. Can we prevent water from entering the Spa Niche housing the lite?

3. There is a small threaded tube and nut above the (cable) hub (see pic #2), what is that for, please?

pic #1
View attachment 456219
pic #2
View attachment 456220

Poolweb Pool Supplies - Commercial Grade Pool Equipment › products
Light Cord Stopper - 3/4 Inch - Retrofit for Existing 120 Volt Installation - Poolweb
Just an example of what is available. You can search for a light niche plug.

Picture 2 should be for the bond wire.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Thank you, 1poolman1. Cord stopper sounds like great idea. Will also search for light niche plug.
As far as "bond wire", we dont see any wire there at all. Is it ok without it (we do have a circuit breaker to light sources)? Can we install new bond wire if missing?

 

[Poolquestion22]

Could not order the 3/4" cord stopper in time, so we have created our own, using #3 cord stop (0.9" big end, and 0.7" small end). Using 1/2" PVC coupling as a cord stop holder, and with drill bits slowly increasing in size, we were able to place 3/8" drill hole at center. Our cable size is 0.4" diameter, it stretches and fits snugly using soap liquid. Will plan to build a silicon plug around the stopper as well since we already drained the spa and already there, because we do not know how pool chemicals would change the rubber stopper over time.

As far as Bond-wire hole, dont know what to do with it. Will plug it for now; do not know if we need to, but does not hurt with small cap. Thank you. It was fun to learn from others.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Now, new problem! Cannot pull the light cord (cable) out off conduit for replacement with new light set. Pulling hard from the light, it wont budge. At J-box, the end is so short, there was no leverage to pull on that direction. The cord must be under water for all those years, the covered was all swelled up, whitish not black, 1 1/2 normal size, comparing to the other end at J-box (normal size black cord). Any suggestion please.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Pouring liquid detergent down the conduit at J-box now. Will see if any improvement by tomorrow.

 

[mknauss]

There are specific pull line lubricants. I have never had an issue -- but I do know you will want to flush out that detergent very well after seeing if it works. It can get very sticky with age.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Thanks mknauss. Do you happen to remember the name of that pull line lube? Is it Cable-free lubricant? It is frustrating, looks so easy on youtube video. They probably didnot show the tough one!

 

[mknauss]

I have never had to use one. I just know they exist. Maybe @1poolman1 or @Poolbreh might have a recommendation.

 

[Poolquestion22]

mknauss. Should I yank the cable real hard? Should I attempt to remove one of the three wires inside the cable to decrease the cable size to pass thru, say the green ground wire or one of the other 2?

 

[mknauss]

I have never pulled that type of cable. My nicheless lights and cable pull pretty easily.

 

[Poolbreh]

How far is the pull? Are you doing it with two people(one feeds the line the other pulling)? I usually tie it off and if I can’t pull the new light or there is little play I’ll run fish tape(tie point should be smaller than cable sleeve) The fiberglass fish tape is the best and easiest imo. You can use cable lube.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Thanks Poolbreh. The distance is about 10 feet. Yes we have 2 persons, I was pulling from the spa and the other is feeding at the J box. The problem was it would not budge, maybe 1/2 inch at first then just stop cold. It is near bottom of the spa so there was not much leverage for pulling. I wrapped the cord around my large pliers without help. Using gripped pliers and pulling with all my might. It just would not budge! Pouring liquid soap over night, hot water .etc. not much help. I used tough nylon cord (for large kite flying) tie and electric tape much less than the cable sleeve diameter. The tie point was still outside the J box at this time. It wont budge pulling from the other end. Pouring water from the Jbox would coming out at the hub niche.
Yes, i just ordered the cable pulling lubricant.

 

[Poolbreh]

10ft is a short distance and shouldn’t be giving you so much difficulty unless the conduit is broken or there is a cable nut, grommet or silicone/epoxy at conduit in spa. Or if you have an in deck junction box.

 

[Poolquestion22]

Thanks Poolbreh. It took the pool electrician 5 minutes to yank it out. There was whitish chalky mud at the junction of conduit and niche hub. Because it was very low in the spa, so he made a sling and stump on the cable sling a few times to break the chalky deposit in the conduit, extended just a few inches beyond the niche. I think it is easy for him because he has done and seen it all before. And think about it more, we could guide a fish hook to break those chalky bonding to the cable before pulling. Thank you everyone. The problem solved thanks to the expertise of many, including the electrician who came to my rescue.