Lights Tripping

[NLandas]

Good Folks of TFP,

Just noticed that my pool lights will suddenly turn off and trip the GFCI that's on the side of the pool panel box. I'm able to reset but it'd trip again after a while. Any insights?

 

[mknauss]

Well that is no good.

I suspect you need an electrician unless you are very comfortable working around electricity.

Let's ask @ajw22 for some advice.

 

[Arizonarob]

Sounds like your pool light is shot. (Same thing happened to mine) I just went ahead a replaced the whole fixture, and installed a new LED bulb. I’m not a fan of patching up old equipment, especially anything that deals with electricity and water.

 

[ajw22]

Pull out your pool light and examine it for water inside or corrosion.

If you have a junction box someplace where your pool light connects check that for no water inside.

 

[NLandas]

Sounds like your pool light is shot. (Same thing happened to mine) I just went ahead a replaced the whole fixture, and installed a new LED bulb. I’m not a fan of patching up old equipment, especially anything that deals with electricity and water.

Thanks Dude! Any recommendations that can do the work?

 

[Arizonarob]

Thanks Dude! Any recommendations that can do the work?

Honestly, it’s not that hard of a job, if you’re comfortable working with electrical connections, and you have a buddy to give you a hand pulling the wire.
If not, and your located in the east valley, shoot me a PM and I’ll give you a contact that I always recommend for pool work.

 

[mguzzy]

Also check the gasket on the fixture. If the pool light has been in service for a while the gasket could be degraded and just needs to be replaced. The housing my be fine. And the cost difference between a gasket and a new fixture is substantial.

 

[NLandas]

Also check the gasket on the fixture. If the pool light has been in service for a while the gasket could be degraded and just needs to be replaced. The housing my be fine. And the cost difference between a gasket and a new fixture is substantial.

You know what Dude, I was thinking of doing that first. It only started acting up after I emptied and refilled the pool. I should’ve replaced the gasket as well. I’m gonna have to wAit until it gets cold to get that done and waste more water. ???

 

[mguzzy]

you shouldn't have to drain your pool. there should be enough service length on the wire to pull the fixture out of the water so you can work on it on the deck.

 

[flaled]

But if I were to guess, its likely a bad gfi.

 

[flaled]

almost always these issues are a grounding issue, thermistor or bad gfi.

 

[mguzzy]

Oh yeah.. that too. Its the last thing most people think of. I had one go out and I pulled my hair out trying to figure it out until I ran the lights through a different GFI circuit as a test.

 

[NLandas]

almost always these issues are a grounding issue, thermistor or bad gfi.

So let me replace the GFI as a process of elimination. Thanks!

 

[MyAZPool]

NLandas
There is a very experienced and licensed electrician here in the valley that specializes in swimming pool lighting/electrical. Especially working on existing pools.
Highly qualified and reliable.
Let me know if you need his contact information and I will send it to you on the private message side.
r.

 

[NLandas]

NLandas
There is a very experienced and licensed electrician here in the valley that specializes in swimming pool lighting/electrical. Especially working on existing pools.
Highly qualified and reliable.
Let me know if you need his contact information and I will send it to you on the private message side.
r.

OK then. Can you send me his info. Thanks!

 

[MyAZPool]

OK then. Can you send me his info. Thanks!

Hi NLandas,
I sent you his contact info on PM.
He will get you all taken care of.
r.

 

[NLandas]

Cool Folks of TFP,
Did an experiment to validate a hypothesis. Remember my pool lights will turn off and GFCI on the panel trips during the summer time + additional hot months here in AZ? Well, I decided to test it again now that it's colder and guess what, THEY REMAINED ON! I will try again to have them on longer than 2 hours tonight.
I believe the heat from the block fence wall where the panel sits against could be the culprit. I do not have any cover from the WEST side of my house as the sun sets or at it's hottest during the summer. The extreme heat from the block wall is probably contributing to the tripping issue during the summer months. I am thinking of creating a contraption to keep my panel off the wall to give it breathing room and not absorb the heat from the wall. Do you folks have any suggestions?

 

[Arizonarob]

Post up a couple of pictures of the area so we can see what you’re working with.

 

[Rattus Suffocatus]

GFCI's do go bad. I'd consider replacing the GFCI outlet or breaker before you rig up shade... Tripping at 120F and not 50F, it is very possible that it's just a dying GFCI...

 

[NLandas]

Post up a couple of pictures of the area so we can see what you’re working with.

Here it is. The wall it’s attached to is the west side of the house that gets really hot because of the sun.