Can I Put an LED Bulb in My Pool Light?


This article discusses if you can put an LED bulb in your pool light. A lot of pool owners have made the change to LED because of the improved lighting and savings that LED’s provide. LED pool lights consume less energy and can last longer as compared to other types of pool lighting. We will discuss the benefits that you can get from LED lights and now to upgrade your old pool lights with LED below.

Can I put an LED bulb in my pool light? In most cases, you can replace your bulbs separately with an LED. On the other hand, if your bulbs need a voltage level that is higher or lower than the usual 230V, you need to consider additional factors. Replacing an incandescent or halogen bulb with LED provides a lot of benefits. However, replacing a pool light bulb is challenging as compared to replacing one in your house because you need to deal with more hazards.

A lot of consumers are choosing LED pool lights for the many benefits that they offer. LED lights are available in a variety of colors that can be changed by clicking the switch, pressing the remote, or by pre-programmed settings. When changing pool lights, you need to be aware of a few factors. Aside from electricity, you also need to deal with water. Both factors are dangerous so it is important that you take precautions when replacing the bulb. We will learn more about pool light bulb replacement below.

Can I put an LED bulb in my pool light
Image by Paulo F from Pixabay

Things to Consider When Changing Pool Light Bulbs

The bulb settings, dimmable features, color temperature, and light output are the things that you need to consider when changing the pool light bulbs. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with these things before you make the replacement so you can rest assured that you are doing the job properly and safely. Replacing an incandescent or halogen bulb with LED bulbs offers numerous benefits. LED provides better light performance with low energy consumption. They also come in a wide array of colors that will create the right mood for your pool area.

Bulb Fitting

One of the things that you need to consider is the bulb fitting. The fitting or bulb base refers to the part of the bulb that fits into the holder of the lighting device. Take note that some bulbs have a screw thread that enables you to screw the bulb into the bulb holder. On the other hand, other bulbs have two little pins below where you have to give the bulb a quarter turn to fix it in the holder.

Dimmable Bulbs

The good thing about dimmable bulbs is that the light intensity can be adjusted according to the lighting needs of your pool. For example, you need to have more light in the corner of the pool where the ladder is located. Make sure to check the details specified if a light bulb is dimmable or not.

Color Temperature

Another thing that you need to consider is the color temperature. LED technology has evolved through time so it can handle all hues of white light. The good thing about LED bulbs is that they can emit both warm white and cool white light. On the other hand, halogen and incandescent bulbs can only emit warm white light temperatures.

Light Output

LED bulbs have a higher light output as compared to other light bulbs. It can provide as much light as a halogen bulb, but with a wattage consumption that is five times lower. You can usually find an accurate indication of the equivalent wattage on the bulb’s packaging. Take note that different LED bulbs also have different amounts of light per watt. Consider the lumen value when comparing the light output of various light sources. Lumen refers to the unit of luminous flux such as the total amount of light that is emitted by a light source.

How to Change Pool Lights to LED

There are a few steps that you need to do when changing the pool lights to LED. It is an easy process that requires basic tools. On the other hand, it is best to hire the services of a professional if you are not familiar with changing pool lights. Take note that aside from electricity, you also need to deal with water which can be risky. Below are the steps that you can follow to replace pool lights.

Check the Voltage Level

The first thing that you need to do is to check the voltage level that operates your swimming pool lights so that you can purchase the right LED bulb. The voltage information is usually indicated in the light’s transformer. To replace the light, you need to remove the existing light. Make sure that you measure the existing light so that you can get a similar size. Make sure to purchase a bulb that is the same size or slightly larger.

Turn Off Power Source

The next thing that you need to do is to turn off the power source of the pool light. Make sure that the power is completely shut off. You can do this by shutting down the power at the circuit breaker. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if pool lights are submerged. We have talked about the different kinds of pool lights that you can choose from.

Remove the Top Screw from the Light

Once you have turned off the power source, you can start working on removing the light. To do this, you first need to remove the top screw from the light. There is usually one screw that holds the light fixture to the wall of the pool and you can usually find this at the top of the fixture. If the light fixture is located deep in the pool, you may need to get into the water.

Pry the Fixture Out

Next, you need to take the light fixture apart. To do this step, you may need to remove screws and clips that are found outside of the light’s frame. Once you have accessed the light, you need to disconnect the cable. Bear in mind that some cables can be unscrewed from the terminals while others need to be cut. Make sure that you cut as close to the light fitting so you have maximum cable length.

Install the New Light

The next step is to install the new light. Start by removing the bracket that holds the pool light on the wall. Some LED lights have universal brackets that feature many holes configuration. You can make use of the existing holes in the pool wall. On the other hand, if the light does not have this kind of bracket, you need to lower the water level of your pool to below the light and then drill some new holes. Next, screw the new bracket.

Connect the Light to Existing Cable

Once you have installed the new light, the next step is to connect it to the existing cable. If the new light has terminals, strip the wire and screw it into the terminals. Make sure to maintain the correct positive/negative polarity. However, if the light does not have terminals but has a cable that is already attached to the light, you will need a cable joining connector or splice kit. See to it that you carefully follow the instructions that come with the kit.

Place the Light Back in Water

The next step is to place the light back into the water. Then, wait and see if there any bubbles that escape once the light placed in the water. If you notice air coming from the outer edge of the light, it means that the light is not properly sealed. You need to remove the light from the water and reseal it tightly.

Install the Light in the Pool

The next step is to install the light in the pool. To do this, you might need to get back in the water so that you can return the cord to its previous position. After placing the cord, push the light fixture back against the wall or into the niche. Next, replace the screw located at the top of the light to secure it in place.

Test the Light

The last step that you need to do is to test the light. Restore power and see if the light works properly. Once you have turned the power back on, a LED light that is working properly should go through its sequence of colors.

✅ Video – How to Change Pool Light

Tropical Pool Supply shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to change pool light. In the video, the step-by-step method of replacing pool lights is discussed. Watch the video below for the demonstration.

Can I Use an LED Bulb in an Incandescent Fixture?

You can use an LED bulb in an incandescent fixture if everything fits in its correct voltage. The first thing that you need to consider when changing the light bulb is the fitting. You can also check out this article titled, how can I light my pool without electricity? We have shared tips and ideas on lighting a pool without the use of electricity.

Why Can’t You Use LED Bulbs in Enclosed Fixtures?

You cannot use LED bulbs in an enclosed fixture because of heat. Take note that heat is the enemy of LED light bulbs. If it is installed in an enclosed fixture that does not allow for proper ventilation, it can affect the temperature of the LED bulb which can cause it to overheat and get damaged. You can also check out this article that discusses what happens if a pool is not grounded. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Is it Worth Switching to LED Bulbs?

Many consumers are switching to LED bulbs because of the benefits that this type of lighting provides. LEDs use much less energy as compared to another lighting. Moreover, LED bulbs use less than 75% energy as compared to incandescent lighting. You can also choose from a wide array of colors available. We have also shared this article that discusses if pool lights are worth it. Check out the article for an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses of you can put an LED bulb in your pool light. As long as the LED has the right voltage and has taken the bulb size and other factors into consideration, you can change the pool light into LED. LED lights are popular because they are energy-efficient, economical, and long-lasting. Thank you for reading!

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