We have a non-operating light in our spa. Our pool maintenance company told me, "By regulation, the older type of light must be replaced with LED."

They're charging over $700 for the LED light, $250 labor, and tax.

I've tried looking up this regulation and can't find it. Anyone have any clue if this is legit?

combat wombat said:

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We have a non-operating light in our spa. Our pool maintenance company told me, "By regulation, the older type of light must be replaced with LED."

They're charging over $700 for the LED light, $250 labor, and tax.

I've tried looking up this regulation and can't find it. Anyone have any clue if this is legit?

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Can you find a replacement non-LED light?

Where are you located?

Magnolia

I asked what regulation they were talking about. They say it's got to do with light bulb regulations. I maybe they can't get an incandescent bulb for us?

I have Hayward color logic led lights in my pool and spa. $750 for either pentair or Hayward color spa led light is not bad. Not sure about any regulation requiring you to switch from halogen to led though. I know I've seen replacement color changing led bulbs for a halogen niche. My Hayward led lights have failed ( 4 x pool , 1 x spa ) in last 8 years. Expensive habit to keep replacing these and I've debated switching to the halogen niche with led bulb.

Buy it on a on and replace it yourself. Very easy. YouTube is your friend.

You won't. It's really easy to do yourself. The whole assembly is sealed and comes out of the water when you remove the fixture screw. The cable will be long enough behind the fixture for this.

Open the fixture, replace the bulb with an LED, seal everything back up, and back into the pool. I'm actually doing mine today because the current LED light was an Amazon cheapie but still worked great for a year or so but was only like $40.

Have done this, but my seal is not good on the light.

How easy is it to trace the wire, and completely redo it? I figure shut off all the power to that circuit, have the new light and wiring, pull the old like out of the pool, cut the light off and then use the old wire as fishtape with the new wire/light.

But I don't know where the wires run.

Not sure about your pool but the wire from my light runs to a switch on the porch. Probably a 20-25 foot run. We didn't install the pool so not sure about the conduit route but your idea is how I would assume it would be done.

I usually replace the gasket on the light fixture housing every time I replace the lamp to make sure it all stays sealed. I didn't one time and water leaked in and ruined the LEDs.

Get gasket from Amazon or pool supply store?

Also, while the switch for the pool and spa light are separate switches they are all the way inside, but the GFCI they are on is outside. I have always figured that if I fully opened up the GFCI box, there'd by wires running down the conduit and towards the light fixture.

Amazon

Does the switch inside also control the GFCI outlets in that box? I'm not an electrician but I'd think the wire from the light fixture would run to the switch even if they're all on the same circuit.

The electrical plumbing going from outside to inside is the only thing I can't get my head around. Plus that would make the pool light wire be CRAZY long.

Some of them are. I worked on a project that included a commercial pool one time and the cord on the light fixture was something like 125' long.

I need to do this but I am worried it is going to lead to more problems.

Quote:

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Get gasket from Amazon or pool supply store?

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Make sure you get an OEM gasket not another manufacturer stating the gasket fits your light brand. I bought a non-OEM gasket and struggled through 3 filters fighting leaks once I put it back in the water. I ended up calling a pool service company out with a $75 service fee. They had an OEM gasket on hand and put that it with no leaks. He said my leaks were due to the non-OEM gasket. Since then I had to change the light bulb myself and that OEM gasket went back on easily with no leaks.

Good point, I've had the same experience.

$750 would be astounding for a legacy manufacturer light, considering they cost nearly $1k now.

I imagine that is for some off brand.

I'd get an LED bulb off amazon that fits your light and a new gasket from the manufacturer of your light and start there.

If the housing is shot (which is unlikely) you can get PAL sonar replacement lights for less than that and end up with a better light. Those lights allow you to re-use your old light cord, provided it's not damaged.

I bought mine from:

https://www.inyopools.com/productlisting/lights_bulbs.aspx

and replaced it myself. Please make sure your light is fed from a GFCI breaker. That is a must.

Yeah I got quoted 2k to replace my spa and pool light that have never worked since I moved in 3 years ago. I was like "yeahhhh....thanks, but I don't need lights". I don't want to fart around with it myself since not really sure of the overall condition and don't want to mess with electricity and some 30 year old fixture in a pool. Now I wish I just had them knocked out and plastered over when I had my pool redone a few months ago.

Since I didn't see it addressed, here the code reference that governs pool lighting is NEC 680.22. there were several provisions of NEC section 680 that were updated in September 2023 revision, none preventing incandescent lighting or requiring 'low voltage' lighting in the pool that I'm aware of. There other sections of section 680 updated that could potentially affect existing electrical circuit installation containing the lights, so that may be confusing to some installers. There are also state and local codes and adaptations of the NEC that may be more stringent and apply for your situation.

However, the real driver behind this....our friends at the DOE passed a law that went into effect at the beginning of 2023 that requires certain efficiency standards for pool lights. They must emit a minimum of 45 lumen / w for all lights within a certain range of sizes (~300-3k lumen). This law created penalties for manufacture of replacement bulbs and distribution and sales of replacement bulbs falling into this category. It affects many older pool/light setups.

A low voltage led lighting system is much safer in the pool than a traditional 120v setup for several reasons. I'm happy to discuss further if you are interested but trying to avoid text walling.

Piggybacking the thread. Anyone have a contact for a light installer in the North Dallas area? Did all but 2 DIY and have had hell getting the last two in: twine busted in the pull through. Tried a number of fish tapes. Might be an obstruction or lip in the conduit. Tried compressor, water hose, plastic bag, fishing. At the point we just need it done and synced.

Comeby! said:

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Piggybacking the thread. Anyone have a contact for a light installer in the North Dallas area? Did all but 2 DIY and have had hell getting the last two in: twine busted in the pull through. Tried a number of fish tapes. Might be an obstruction or lip in the conduit. Tried compressor, water hose, plastic bag, fishing. At the point we just need it done and synced.

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I used Patriot Pools
Single guy operation and replaced my large pool light for like $650. Allowed me to sit around and watch so I could learn how to do my spa when it goes out.

214-475-3136

Thank you! Is that parts and labor?

Comeby! said:

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Thank you! Is that parts and labor?

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Yes