Pool light for existing IG pool

[Cannonball]

Hi Everybody,

I bought a home with a 14 x 24 x 6 IG pool with vinyl liner. There's no bells or whistles, including a light. Does anyone know of any products or have any ideas for lighting my pool at night?

Thanks,

Steve

[waste]

Steve, as this is my first time 'threading' with you, let me say (a belated) - welcome to the forum!:) There is a retro install light (AquaLumin II). While we usually install them when the liner is being replaced, it can be done without draining the pool and replacing the liner (it's a little more tricky, but certainly possible). The unit is a 'nicheless light' and all you need to do is drain ~2' of water, pull the liner away from the installation area, drill a 3" hole in the pannel and install a modified return fitting. (Of course you need to prevent debris from getting behind the liner and dig under the deck to install the conduit, but it's really not that hard to do). I'll see if I can (for once) successfully Google up a link for them.

If you've any questions about what I've said, just ask! - Waste

http://www.pentairpool.com/misc/owners_manuals/lighting/AquaLumin%20II.pdf
(that only took 5 tries! :) )

[Cannonball]

Thanks Waste!

The link works fine. Also, it sounds like a "doable job." Good point about keeping debris out from behind the liner. The deep end of the pool has a 36" wide sidewalk, then the dirt/yard tapers slightly away from that. Do you think it's possible to drive a short section of EMT (electro-mechanical tubing) through the 3" hole outward to a vertical hole next to the sidewalk? Fortunately, it's all dirt with no rock. Then, pick out the dirt with a long tool and vacuum?

Steve

[waste]

Steve, while I admire your ingenuity, you've got to trench to the unit - you need to be able to secure the unit to the wall, run the conduit and BOND!!!! the unit - all of which is done on the back side of the pannel -sorry!:( . I suppose you could jack out a section of the deck to access the pannel, but a patch always shows.) (just be glad that you don't have 8' of deck there! :) ).
Sorry I couldn't make this a little easier for you, but it needs to be done right. If you have any more questions, I'll give you all the help/ info I can!

[joliecharlie]

I bought a floating light for my pool last year and really like it. I think it is called a "Pool Buoy" We have an 18x36 inground pool and it lights it fully. It is rechargeable and last about hours. Got it off of Ebay, of course!

[caustik]

I bought a floating light for my pool last year and really like it. I think it is called a "Pool Buoy" We have an 18x36 inground pool and it lights it fully. It is rechargeable and last about hours. Got it off of Ebay, of course!

How many hours is it good for? I am considering getting one this summer as we did not put any lights in our pool when we had it built last year.

[joliecharlie]

didn't proof my post before I posted ...Sorry!
I don't remember what the manual states but I put it in the pool at dark and just let it go. It has never run down while we are in the pool.
I leave it in to run down over night. So I will guess about 5 hours.
I believe that battery is the kind that should fully discharge before recharging but don't hold me to that.

[ChuckD]

jc, are you referring to a "Glow Buoy" by any chance? I found references to one made by KL Industries, but "Pool Buoy" turned up swimming aids.

The pictures on the website look pretty good. Can you compare your real world experience (whatever your using) with them?

Thanks.

C.

http://www.klindustries.com/glowbuoy.html

[fcfrey]

We opted not to put a light into our pool for 3 reasons.

Lights attract BUGS. :(

Bugs attract BATS. :mad:

Girls hate bats. (Sorry to stereotype, but most do, even though they don't know why) :)

Just thought maybe you would want another perspective.

[joliecharlie]

oops! yes it is a Glow Bouy!

It is just as the company describes it, it floats well or you can attach it via a suction cup to the side or tie it to the ladder/rope hooks...whatever you want.

I usually place mine midpool and attach with the suction cup.
I will time it for you when I get a chance, the website says about 6 hours which I think is accurate.

I have friends that had a traditional light in their pool with lots of problems. When they replaced liner they chose to eliminate the light. They borrowed my light and loved it.

You are so right...girls hate bats! But....
I have not noticed it attracting bats or bugs anymore than the flood lights do and still see if you are swimming with who or what you want to! We do have an occaisional little snake here in the woods!

[caustik]

Jolie,

Thats exactly why we went without the lights in the pool. Most of our friends with them have had nothing but problems in the past.

Please post on the runtime of the light if you get a chance to log it. It would be appreciated.

I see on the website for them they carry colored lenses. Do you have these for yours? If so are they worthwhile?

[Kimrst]

I believe we saw the Glow Bouy @ Lowes on clearance for about $14.00 in the solar light section yesterday.

I see they now have solar powered fountains for the garden . I always loved the sound of running water but didn't want to add to the expense of running it, but maybe solar might just be the thing? When I use the pool fountain it messes with my water chemistry. Add it costs $ to run it . We are trying to do the little things to save the planet, like recycling and florescent lights. They all add up... Kim

[joliecharlie]

I don't have colored lights with mine.
I will check the time for you when I can stay up past 10pm...gotta go to work in the AM!

Last summer I put it in at dark..8:30ish and it was still glowing when I went to bed (weekends 12:30ish) so I believe it will give you good service

[joliecharlie]

Hi Kim..
Just to be clear,Glow Bouy is not a solar light, it is a rechargeable light.

[ChuckD]

I see the spec sheet says it has a 12 volt rechargeable battery. Does it look like something that could be easlily replaced when expended?

[Kimrst]

Maybe the light I saw was just similar? I found a link that describes it on the net, but I've never bought anything from them. This is just FYI for the description. :-) Kimrst

http://www.smarthome.com/3224.html

[CanuckPool]

this is just freaky

http://www.smarthome.com/3312.html

[Kimrst]

That last light was strange, why would you want a floating purple ball in your pond? The link says only for non-clorinated places. Wouldn't the lights attract bugs? We have bats that live in the next door neighbors attic(they don't know it, as they just bought the house last fall) and I love to see them fly around eating up the bugs from my yard, but I don't want to attract more than whats already here.. Kim