Pool lights trip GFI

[colleenfisher]

I have an older model Aqualogic with a GFI for the pool lights installed in the lower right knock out. The pool lights tripped the GFI when I switched them on. Spa light came on but not the water feature. Tried a couple of things and then the GFI would no longer reset and no lights will work. Last year the main pool lights tripped the gfi and sure enough there was water in the lights. After removing and resealing both lights with new gaskets the lamps leaked again. Found out the lights were taking in water from the back cord of the fixture. Marine sealant etc is a waste time. Bought new Pentair lights on ebay for about half the price from Hayward, so don't wast your time and money on repairing these lights.

This time since the lights are new I elected to replace the GFI. There is a burn out spot on the breaker. I screwed up and didn't check my photos and lost the pic of the wiring. When I removed the GFI one of the black wires fell of the panel. Don't know where was previously wired in. Installed a new GFI guessing where the 4th wire should be attached. Not too many choices. In any case, the new GFI will not set. Next I guess I will check out the 2 small lights in the spa and the water feature. Any help would be appreciated.

I need a diagram to see how to wire the GFI correctly. Any suggestions.

[CarlD]

Yes. Get a licensed electrician who works with pools regularly to fix it before you put yourself and your swimmers in deadly danger. Water and electricity are a very bad mix and if the GFCI is NOT properly installed, without guesswork, someone could get badly hurt or killed.

I know it sounds like I'm kicking you, but you cannot afford to take a chance with this. It's very, very dangerous. (If you remember, future HOF pitcher Mariano Rivera lost two family members to an electrical accident at his pool). And, it's possible, just possible, that your H/O insurance wouldn't cover such an accident. People who put up pools without getting building permits sometimes learn this the hard way.