Poolside Repair: How To Install A Pool Light

Incandescent Pool & Spa Light Fixtures - bit.ly/37BdIRC
LED Pool & Spa Light Fixtures - bit.ly/2GzDSbi
Looking to repair your old pool light? Start finding the parts here - bit.ly/2t9qEzc
Fiber Optic Light Systems - bit.ly/319dMWo
Pool Light Niches - bit.ly/2t9qS9w
Pentair IntelliBrite Controller - bit.ly/2uIY8VC
Pool Automation - bit.ly/2GwnDfu
SUBSCRIBE for FREE swimming pool care and maintenance videos
every week: bit.ly/Subscrib... ****
In this episode, Matt and Rob help a pool owner replace his inground pool light.
VISIT our blog for weekly swimming pool tips, tricks, and more! bit.ly/InyoBlog
SHOP at our online store! bit.ly/InyoPools
LIKE us on FACEBOOK! / inyopools
FOLLOW us on TWITTER! / inyopools
FOLLOW us on INSTAGRAM! / inyopools
JOIN our circle on GOOGLE+ plus.google.co...
Step 1 - Pick the Right Replacement Light
You have made the decision to replace your plain white pool white with a color changing LED; the next thing is figuring out which LED will fit your light’s niche and cord length.
replacment pentair amerilite
Pentair Amerilite dimensions
Most incandescent pool lights are a standard size, around 10.12 inches in diameter; for which a LED light fixture like the Pentair Intellibrite, Hayward Colorlogic, and Pureline PureColors are drop-in replacements. If you do not have the original light to measure or just, want to double check you are getting the right light don’t hesitate to call us.
You will also need to measure the length of electrical needed for the installation. To ensure make sure you do not come up short when installing the new light measure the following:
measure the distance from the pool light niche to the power source,
the rise from the pool light to the power source,
tack on five to eight feet so you can pull the light on deck for maintenance later.
In our installation, we are replacing a Pentair Amerilite with an exact drop-in replacement the Pureline PureColors
Step 2 - Turn off Power, Cut Cable to Old Fixture
To make your light circuit safe before removing the old light, shut off your light’s breaker. oOnce this is done, you can remove the light from the niche and snip the power cable just behind the light fixture.
Step 3 - Prepare the Niche, Conduit for New Cable Installation
pool light epoxy
Pool niche with epoxy plug
To pull the cable through the conduit, we must remove the watertight seal attaching it to the niche. The most common ways of sealing the niche are epoxy and rubber cord stoppers.
For this installation, the original cable was epoxied in. Remove the epoxy with a needle nosed plier and a flathead screwdriver. For time’s sake, we hope your light has a rubber cord stopper as they are much each to remove and can be re-used. When we install the new LED, we are using a cord stopper.
Step 4 - Tie, Tape, or Bond the New and Old Cables Together
installing pool light cable
By taping the new cable to the old cable before we pull it out, we complete two steps at once. We remove the old cable while also reinstalling the new light cable. Make sure to use heavy duty duct tape when you intertwine and tape the two cables together.
Step 5 - Pull the Old Cable Through
Get a good grip, and start pulling the old cable through the conduit. We were experiencing a stubborn cable, so we used a spray on silicon lube to make for easy sledding.
In our installation, the cables came loose, so we used a fish tape to pull the new cable. Before cutting the cable be certain you have five to eight feet of cable on the fixture end, so you can pull the light on deck for maintenance in the future.
Step 6 - Install Light Into Niche
Screw in the lock screw to secure the light into the niche.
Step 7 - Wiring a LED Pool Light
how to wire a led pool light
The wiring of LED lights should be similar if not the same as your original light, but to be safe, follow the wiring instructions provided in the owner’s manual.
Step 8 - Enjoy Your New Light
Thanks for joining us on our first Poolside Repair; stay tuned for next time when we install a DE filter.

[@generessler6282]

You can use $4 harbor freight multimeter to measure resistance across the the power wires at the box. The cable with infinite resistance (no continuity) between hot and neutral is the one with the cut cable! Only one person needed. No tug of war. Duct tape makes a much better pull joint than electrical tape. Might as well give yourself every advantage you can.

[@billporter6254]

It looks like your video missed the part of leaving enough cable so that the light could latter be taken out of the niche an placed on the deck for servicing.

[@Inyopools]

We mentioned that in the video description and our blog post, here: www.inyopools.com/Blog/poolside-repair-install-pool-light/

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Perhaps, but you surely did not show it in the video - in fact, it is quite obvious that there is absolutely no slack cable left in the niche and so whoever is stuck with replacing that bulb when it burns out will have an unexpected problem on his hands.

[@escaplen]

@@chuckschillingvideos I can see him putting several loops of wire in the back of the niche at 5:10

[@2002southzone]

Good video, but please, please, please, make sure to leave enough wire coiled inside the niche for future repairs. It's a shame to have to drain the pool or work underwater to change a bulb. Thanks for posting the video, guys.

[@SPL]

Good job guys. Watching this reminds me why I sub these types of jobs out to guys like Joe ;). Pulling the wire thru can be murder.

[@Inyopools]

Thanks! That cable was a beast; a couple of us had to take turns pulling it through. And we also made the slip up of ordering a light with too short a cable. We didn't find that out til we had already snaked it through. Jiminy! BTW, we love your videos and if you ever want to collaborate on a future project, give us a shout. Fortunately, no Joes were injured during the filming of this episode. :)

[@michealvega3695]

You could also use a toner to find the right wire

[@mjmjross]

I know that most of these questions are older but I'll give it a shot here to see if anyone might know. I see conflicting videos out there when it comes to draining to light level. It looks and sounds like it's not necessary but mine is on the deep end and i'll either do it one armed from the deck or while treading water. If I don't drain and then go to pull out the epoxy, is the water going to travel out the conduit and just stop at the bend. If so, is that okay to leave all that water in there? I have an old Anderson pool with NO diagrams and am not even sure where the switch, breaker or junction boxes are.

[@secularsam7678]

You ever figure it out?

[@steventhorkelsen6478]

Do you have to epoxy the new light wire? If so what do you use?

[@scottdamico3101]

I didn't see wether you put new silicone or whatever in the nitch hole ?

[@Montery12]

I was told by an expert that water will get in the conduit somehow anyway whether sealed or not and not to lose sleep over it. Meaning you do your best to apply some epoxy at the niche hole and at the JBox and forget about it. As long water doesn't leak at the JBox, you're fine. My believe is that water in the conduit will recycle itself even if it takes a year but it will; so don't think water will be stagnated in the conduit forever.

[@judywilliams6181]

Do you lube the gasket around the lite before putting it back in.

[@trumpwins2024]

Good video guys. You might have mentioned the bonded ground wire in the niche because some people were probably wondering what that was. Also to leave 4-6' extra wire to be able to pull light to pool cool deck so water does not have to be drained.

[@clarencemoore2924]

is that 120 volts on the pool lights?

[@ededog2922]

I noticed that you said you pulled Apoxsee sealant from around the cord out. And I also noticed you didn’t show putting out Apoxsee or any thing back in that conduit wouldn’t hurt to put a marine grade silicone back in that hole to stop the water from going in there.

[@ededog2922]

Also, the rubber stopper you use does it come with the light?

[@Inyopools]

The cord stopper does not come with the light; it can be purchased separately from a hardware store for a couple of dollars. We didn't add epoxy to the cord stopper because it would be unnecessary. It'd be like gluing a cork into a wine bottle. The cork is enough.

[@peoplsrepublcOcali]

Draining the pool is not necessary...but great for videos. I swapped these all the time in the winter with nothing but a wet arm. Also, I noticed that he did not hook the light on the bottom of the niche. If there is no hook in the niche then a 'light wedge' is a good solution.

[@roymcleansr.5404]

What is that lightwedge because this is what I've been trying to figure out if there's a hook at the bottom

[@peoplsrepublcOcali]

​@@roymcleansr.5404 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpmmpWeXmahljJY ...it is a wedge that goes on top of the light, uses existing escutcheon holes, but presses the light down hard enough on the bottom to secure it if it is missing the hook. I have used two opposing wedges to secure lights with no female threads or bottom hook although it takes some finesse.

[@tinadalton7521]

I didn't see you put epoxy back. I will be replacing my light soon and was wondering about the epoxy part of the install. Also I have a Pentair Am. sAm light now. I was not impressed with the sAM light at all. Are there other lights worth the price?

[@Inyopools]

We used a rubber cord stopper instead of epoxy for the new installation. It is easier to install and easier to remove for maintenance in the future. If you want a color changing light I suggest the Purline Pure Colors LED light: (www.inyopools.com/pureline-pure-colors-led-pool-light-fixtures.aspx)

[@stevekap8]

A rubber cord stopper? What would that do? Wouldn't water be on both sides of the stopper? What's the part number for this stopper?

[@charlesromney]

What’s the part number or link?

[@stevenarther9861]

I hope you guys didn't forget to put the epoxy back in and to leave yourself enough room to be able to stretch the light up to the deck for a bulb change if necessary later on.

[@Inyopools]

Hi Steven, we replaced the epoxy with a rubber stopper. We forgot to include that part in the video. We definitely remembered to leave ourselves some extra cable. Thanks for watching :)

[@johnmillman2048]

Right long lead, and no new epoxy, low bidders?

[@MYRNAGCLARO]

dont pull it next Time Sirs,pls use a multi tester for the contenuity and it is easy to detect which wire is to splice or to connect.

[@truestofhearts12]

How much about does it cost to replace a light just like this?

[@darrencarter6255]

What about showing the part of showing when you re-filled the epoxy?

[@NFPowercat78]

Why didn't you cover replacing the epoxy with the material/device of your choice. That's the only part that I'd like help with.

[@Inyopools]

We didn't cover reapplying the epoxy because we didn't use epoxy during the installation of the new light. We used a 'cord stopper,' a rubber cork that's been cored, to allow the cable to run through the middle. It is a cleaner install than epoxy and is a lot easier for maintenance or replacement down the line.

[@josuemartinez3339]

Do all pool lights have 1 screw mount hole to support the light?

[@Inyopools]

Most inground pool lights follow that design. Some likes have multiple holes in their faceplate but are generally decorative.

[@bartharris]

It looks like there is no potting compound around the bonding lug. Is it sometimes not necessary?

[@chengkhang2804]

no...someone screwed up

[@michaelclaassen3073]

please advice on how to replace bulb of kreepy kraully pro light.

[@fdbeasley]

We built a pool with our new home (20' X 45' in-ground with integrated spa). I only noticed after-the-fact that the pool contractor installed spa-sized lights EVERYWHERE! Because of the this, I find that the brightness for night swimming has a lot to be desired. There are a total of 5 lights in the pool and 1 light in the spa. I think they are all incandescent as well. Anyway, I've been questioning for the last year whether I should upgrade to LEDs to improve brightness. Will this really make a noticeable difference in a spa-sized bulb that has a limited wattage anyway? My pool plaster is Hydrazzo Maui Midnight (so, not white or light blue) if that makes a difference. I know the paler plaster colors hinder the brightness as well. Would love to know if anyone has a similar experience or have retrofitted to improve brightness at night. Before and after pics would be awesome as well. Thanks!!

[@Inyopools]

Making the switch to LEDs is probably not going to improve your brightness, unfortunately. At best it will be a lateral move.

[@fdbeasley]

Inyo Pools, Thanks for the confirmation. That's what was afraid of. F

[@RIJSA]

Cool video. Helped me to understand how the installation of a pool light works. At minute 5:24 you can see a small opening on the lower right side of the niche. That means water will go thru the niche and stay there all the time. That is not dangerous ?

[@Inyopools]

It's normal for water to go behind the light and inside the niche. That's why it's important to plug the conduit hole with epoxy or rubber stopper.

[@RIJSA]

Great. Thanks!

[@MYRNAGCLARO]

and if you change the that wire,before pulling tied the new wire .

[@stevekap8]

What is the epoxy for? Haven't seen that on other videos.

[@djrikk214]

stevekap8 Sealant

[@jerickkhimpinotes1202]

What type of junction box should be used for pool lights? Is it safe to use metal junction box 2-3 meters away from the inner wall of the pool?

[@Inyopools]

We recommend the plastic Intermatic junction boxes. You 'd have to check with your local codes about a metal junction box. It would need to be bonded since it is metal and close to the pool.

[@chadlawrence5865]

do you have to put goop in the hole? it isnt supposed to be water tight is it?

[@arieb1533]

What wire is used from the junction box to the main box?

[@arieb1533]

What wire did you guys use?

[@plomarja]

Very good, but, you might to explain the voltage required for this light , 12 volts

[@Inyopools]

Hello Jose - On this install, we used a 120v light fixture. 12v is not required by his local codes.

[@Phuzzyl0gic]

Create a loop with wire tie 550.cord to it and pull it through. You did this the hard way.

[@nicoleroper]

Did you replace the incandescent bulb with an LED bulb?

[@Inyopools]

We did replace the incandescent bulb with an LED bulb before we installed the fixture. We didn't include that in this video but we do have an older video that illustrates how to change the bulb. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6S4koqmrLRsac0

[@TheScottEF]

Be real careful with the pool LEDs; they're "50,000" hour life is a complete sham. 3 of my 4 y pool LEDs are failing at about the 500-hour point.

[@ytCRT1]

as it was being pulled, I was like "I hope they hooked that tight"; seemingly not lol

[@kenasuquo5536]

Pls guys while wiring a pool lighting, can I run two of the lighting cable in one conduit pipe?

[@jerickkhimpinotes1202]

Yes you can, you just have to adjust the size of the conduit based on the number of wires you want to put in.

[@stevemarkley1155]

Did you replace the epoxy in the niche before putting the new fixture back in? If so, what did you use?

[@Inyopools]

We used a rubber cord stopper for this install. On other installations we've used a 2-part underwater epoxy.

[@aqualuxx]

Aquabond

[@stevekap8]

Did you darin the pool to below the level of the conduit first? Otherwise, you already have water in the conuit, no?

[@roosterq3209]

After he takes the epoxy out underwater, doesn’t the water leak into the conduit where the wire is feeding from? Shouldn’t he have drained the pool more so that doesn’t happen??

[@chengkhang2804]

its normal to have water inside the conduit. the conduits are supposed to be water tight. but in the even that they are not, simply adding butyl tape just at the rim of the conduit is sufficient

[@dagmac9308]

Question. How the water no entry in the tube where it is the cable?

[@Inyopools]

A cord stopper or putty is used to seal the conduit where the cord enters the niche. That prevents the water from the pool from leaking out of the pool niche.

[@dagmac9308]

Inyo Pools Great Thanks. But I just checked that you removed this at the beginning being under water. Do you know what I mean?

[@mig4068]

Would like to know, @5.09 when securing the fixture to the wall socket, what connectors were used to join the lamp to the new power cord?

[@Inyopools]

We overlapped the cable ends by about 6 inches, and used a generous portion of duct tape to keep them together.

[@maximumwoof8662]

i thought duct tape was for ducts and electrical tape was for electrical.. guess that's why cars drive on parkways and park on driveways...

[@escaplen]

The new power cord is factory sealed to the fixture, there is nothing to join at the back of the light.

[@2460speedy]

Well done. But I dont like the use of wire nuts.

[@jayrose9463]

Why empty halfway into the light niche

[@Inyopools]

The homeowner had drained the pool to that level before we had gotten there. You can install the light without draining the pool.

[@goobytron2888]

There is something very disturbing about stamping water holding electrical wires. I pulled my light up once and even though it was disconnected. It still made me very uneasy.

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

People have been electrocuted from such a simple job.

[@ziploxian8516]

What's that coil in that fixture? We accidentally short circuited it and the coil blew off. Is that important?

[@sunshinestatepools5927]

I would like to know the answer to this question i always wondered what the spring looking coil was and its importance thanks.

[@marolfo17]

you were lucky with the fish tape

[@Inyopools]

Sometimes it pays to be more lucky than good, lol.

[@_1ben]

when you attach the new wire to the old wire stagger the lengths, and tape 3 feet or you will have this problem

[@blackphantom3333]

You gotta leave enough cable to set the fixture on the deck --- flex seal to replace the epoxy that was removed

[@peoplsrepublcOcali]

The epoxy is pointless, nor does it need flex seal. Pool builders and other 'professionals' cause a $400 job to turn into a $3000 job because they like to fill their conduit with 1-2 ft. of epoxy. Cutting pool decks and digging 5 foot trenches (by hand in most backyards) is fun and all but I would rather we eliminate bad information/government regulation. I have never once encountered a problem with a conduit full of water as long as you have a properly raised junction box. I have also never seen dry conduit (or 'an epoxy job' that kept water out). Those lines are direct bury and can handle water.

[@greghuff3316]

@@peoplsrepublcOcali You seem like the only person including the installers that know what the f you’re talking about.

[@peoplsrepublcOcali]

​@@greghuff3316 Thanks, there are a few others though (and I mean a few). I had about 400 competitors and I could safely say less than 40 of them knew what they were doing. High turnover and pointless qualifications are today's "experts". I certainly don't believe google, a high paying BBB customer, or a govt. racketeering scheme qualified anyone. But that's how most of my competitors stayed in business.

[@jlmer616]

Why did it keep shorting out?

[@aqualuxx]

they said in the vid bad circuit

[@petethepoolguy7807]

The only thing you forgot to show is adding the new epoxy

[@chengkhang2804]

you should never epoxy the conduit.

[@tnsibungo9060]

My job

[@mediasemasa9708]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@ojb_biking1096]

why can't you take the old wire out feed the new wire out with the old one

[@Inyopools]

We actually try that in the video but the taping job didn't hold as were pulling the old light cable out. So we had to use a snake to pull through the new cable as we show.

[@andypollock5577]

You can but you need to make a better job of connecting the two cables. The way we do it is to create a hook and eye, on the respective cables, and then when the hook is in the eye, we clamp the hook shut so it becomes an eye, then we tape over those connections to try to prevent any snagging, and we use silicone, as per the video. The video itself tells you everything you need to know. Ignore the pickers asking about new epoxy; it's pretty obvious that new epoxy is required, as is leaving a tail so the light can be lifted out of the recess on to the pool deck. You won't go far wrong copying these guys, who I thank for taking the time to make the vid.

[@alpagano50]

Next time pull in a pulling rope and use that to pull in the new wire.

[@williamschmidt9008]

Next time just solder the new wires to the old wires and save yourself a ton of time.... they won't come apart.

[@Inyopools]

If you use a hi-strength solder may it work, but the regular run of the mill stuff probably won't hold up to a few heavy tugs. - MGS

[@1risingangel1]

Pool bonding wire for the niche?

[@Inyopools]

You can see the bonding wire at 2:21

[@arthurfleck9594]

Handheld mirrors? U can use google s and snorkel to that🤣

[@user-xk4rl8bj2n]

It’s better to not have pool lights to prevent electrocution that be dumb

[@Inyopools]

There are low voltage lights that are perfectly safe for swimming pools.

[@gregdacey-mg6is]

You’re supposed to leave 36” coiled up! Are you a pool guy or a diyer lol people suck these days nobody follows any directions

[@mytexasdays1526]

Get to it. Too much yakking.

[@winnieli3576]

Hello, if you need a waterproof led pool light, please contact me. We have several FREE pool lights for testing now!!