Pool remodel - lighting question - 120V vs 12V

[IMV8N]

I am in the process of remodeling my pool. I was reading up on 12V lLED lighting. I have 120V pool and spa light’s currently. I would love to replace both my 120V LED with the 12V LED. I understand that a transformer needs to be installed for this to work. I’m just wondering if I could get any feedback from anyone who might have done the same. Are the 12V just as bright? Do they cover the same distance/surface? Are there any disadvantages to going the 12V route? Thanks in advance.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Have you considered just changing the bulb from a halogen type to and LED type? There are many on the market. On that case, there’s no need to pull a new light fixture or add a transformer.

Never mind. Saw you already have 120V LED.

Why do you want to convert to 12V ?? There’s not much benefit to that.

 

[IMV8N]

I have solar panels and I’m trying to get my energy consumption low enough that I never see an energy bill. This is just one step towards that effort.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I think the only main disadvantage to the low voltage LED conversion is the time and cost of running a lamp out to the pool and installing a transformer. It has to be a POOL-code rated transformer and you’ll probably want at least 300W of available power if you plan to do any landscape lighting as well. So that transformer can easily run you into the $500 range. If you’re handy and can do your own electrical work, then you can save on hiring an electrician.

Also, by way of a anecdote, I feel like we have way more posts about failed low voltage LED products rather than the 120V replacement LED bulbs. LED lighting products like the Pentair IntelliBrite line can easily cost upwards of $1000 for pool and spa lights and their lifetimes seem to be a few years at best before one of the color segments burns out. Globrites and the niche-less products all require special housings that are not compatible with standard wet niches. So your replacement costs are going to go way up.

Any savings in electricity costs might be wiped out with installation and replacement costs associated with a low voltage conversion.

 

[IMV8N]

I think the only main disadvantage to the low voltage LED conversion is the time and cost of running a lamp out to the pool and installing a transformer. It has to be a POOL-code rated transformer and you’ll probably want at least 300W of available power if you plan to do any landscape lighting as well. So that transformer can easily run you into the $500 range. If you’re handy and can do your own electrical work, then you can save on hiring an electrician.

Also, by way of a anecdote, I feel like we have way more posts about failed low voltage LED products rather than the 120V replacement LED bulbs. LED lighting products like the Pentair IntelliBrite line can easily cost upwards of $1000 for pool and spa lights and their lifetimes seem to be a few years at best before one of the color segments burns out. Globrites and the niche-less products all require special housings that are not compatible with standard wet niches. So your replacement costs are going to go way up.

Any savings in electricity costs might be wiped out with installation and replacement costs associated with a low voltage conversion.

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely give this more thought.