Well, it's been a while, but I finally got the new gasket and new bulb into the fixture last fall - the same weekend we closed the pool. So instead of putting it in the niche, I kept it wrapped up for the winter under the diving board (SOP since 1981 when the pool was built).

Over the winter we misplaced the locking screw for the top of the assembly. Finally found it about 2 weeks ago. I got in the pool, wound the cord around the housing and popped it into position. No light.

Since then I have been waiting for an electrician (at this point any electrician) to return my calls and come see what's what. I am hopeful all it is is the switch (its on the same fuse as the pump).

Today while floating around in the deep end with my goggles on, I noticed unhappily that the INSIDE of the light fixture (a Hayward Starlite SP-543L 120 volt/500 watt) is half full of water.

I pulled it out and popped it back onto the deck.

When I installed it I specifically watched to make sure no air bubbles were there. I now have 2 issues - a light that wouldn't turn on before ther was water inside it and now how water got in in the first place.

I've also been kicking around the idea of switching to an LED type replacement bulb or new fixtre. Hayward tells me my current niche, a copper SP-05057, is not compatible with ANY of their current fixtures, LED or no. They say I have to pull the whole thing out and start over.

Anyone have any advice (on any of the items mentioned)? Thx . . .