Need help changing my pool light fixture

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drewsg

Member
Apr 16, 2018
11
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Pool Size
18000
Surface
Plaster
I'm trying to get this done while my pool is drained during a remodel. I cut off the wires at the junction box and unscrewed the clamp, but the pool light cable is still ridiculously stubborn. From the niche side, I can only push and pull it a few inches before it gets stuck.

Here's how it looks from inside the niche.

https://imgur.com/GW2oWKJ

Do I need to dig out more of this silicon? or is there something else holding it
 
drewsg said:
I'm trying to get this done while my pool is drained during a remodel. I cut off the wires at the junction box and unscrewed the clamp, but the pool light cable is still ridiculously stubborn. From the niche side, I can only push and pull it a few inches before it gets stuck.

Here's how it looks from inside the niche.

https://imgur.com/GW2oWKJ

Do I need to dig out more of this silicon? or is there something else holding it
Click to expand...
It looks very much like that is either plaster or epoxy blocking the hole. It should be removed as much as possible. Also, if the light and bond wire were pulled together they can get wrapped together and the cord won't pull. You may have to disconnect both the bond wire and light cord at the j-box and pull both into the pool. Don't disconnect the bond at the niche, you would probably break the lug. Then, pull the bond wire first back to the j-box. Since the pool is drained, you can try running some dish washing soap (like Dawn) into the conduit from the j-box as a lubricant.
 
1poolman1 said:
It looks very much like that is either plaster or epoxy blocking the hole. It should be removed as much as possible. Also, if the light and bond wire were pulled together they can get wrapped together and the cord won't pull. You may have to disconnect both the bond wire and light cord at the j-box and pull both into the pool. Don't disconnect the bond at the niche, you would probably break the lug. Then, pull the bond wire first back to the j-box. Since the pool is drained, you can try running some dish washing soap (like Dawn) into the conduit from the j-box as a lubricant.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tidbit. I decided to try my luck with the spa since the pool was giving me fits. I threw some dish soap down the conduit and was able to get the new wire through with a lot of elbow grease. So I know I'm not a complete idiot and maybe it is something specifically with the pool.

https://imgur.com/IQz8yKP
 
drewsg said:
Thanks for the tidbit. I decided to try my luck with the spa since the pool was giving me fits. I threw some dish soap down the conduit and was able to get the new wire through with a lot of elbow grease. So I know I'm not a complete idiot and maybe it is something specifically with the pool.

https://imgur.com/IQz8yKP
Click to expand...
Not just your pool. About 20 years ago there was a builder in town that regularly epoxied the conduit opening in the lights they installed because they had so many that leaked. Made it extremely hard to pull a new light. If I knew they were the builder I would turn the job down. There is a better, reusable, way to seal a light conduit but everyone has epoxy on their truck. Poor workmanship = gone builder.
 
1poolman1 said:
Not just your pool. About 20 years ago there was a builder in town that regularly epoxied the conduit opening in the lights they installed because they had so many that leaked. Made it extremely hard to pull a new light. If I knew they were the builder I would turn the job down. There is a better, reusable, way to seal a light conduit but everyone has epoxy on their truck. Poor workmanship = gone builder.
Click to expand...

What's the best way to seal the light conduit?
 
Ok now I really need help from you guys. I was doing the pool light fixture and was making headway but the taping holding the old and new wire broke off about 3/4 of the way.

Any recommendations on how to get the new wire through?
 
drewsg said:
the old and new wire broke off about 3/4 of the way.
Click to expand...
Did the neighbors hear you yell? :brickwall: Mine would've. :evil:

drewsg said:
I was thinking of taping the bonding wire to the new wire and pulling the bonding wire from the conduit..
Click to expand...
So now the old wire is of no help now and the only thing remaining in the conduit is the bond wire correct? Like @1poolman1 noted above, you might try disconnecting the bond wire at the J-box and attaching/pulling new wire "into" the pool. That may be your best option at the moment unless PM has another idea when gets back online.
 

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drewsg said:
I got the light wire through the conduit..
Click to expand...
Outstanding! Dodged a bullet there.

drewsg said:
before I pull the bond wire back.. Is this okay or should I replace it? Some of the insulation is stripped near the top.
Click to expand...
I don't see why that would be a deal breaker, but I'd prefer to let PM confirm when he gets back online since he was coaching you through this issue. As he said earlier, you probably don't want to mess with the lug end anyways, so this may have to do. But let's give him some time to respond if possible. If you can't wait, let me know and I can tag another expert or two.
 
drewsg said:
Thanks to a $10 electrician's fish tape, this day wasn't such a disaster.

I got the light wire through the conduit.. before I pull the bond wire back.. Is this okay or should I replace it? Some of the insulation is stripped near the top.

https://imgur.com/brsv3PI
Click to expand...
Its better if the wire is insulated, makes pulling easier and bare wire will corrode in the pool water that is in the conduit. That's why the bond lug in the niche should be encapsulated. If the portion that is stripped won't be in water it shouldn't be an issue.
 
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1poolman1 said:
Its better if the wire is insulated, makes pulling easier and bare wire will corrode in the pool water that is in the conduit. That's why the bond lug in the niche should be encapsulated. If the portion that is stripped won't be in water it shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

aquabondadhesives.com

ABP-1000 Wet Niche Potting Compound Single-Use Pouch - AquaBond

This high quality single use wet niche potting compound can be used to encapsulate 1 to 2 wet niche pool light bonding lugs. UL-listed. Contains NO deca-BDE.
aquabondadhesives.com aquabondadhesives.com

Is this what you're talking about? Mix this together and smother the bond lug in the niche? Is there something like it I can get from HD or Lowes?
 
drewsg said:
success!
Click to expand...
full
 
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