Solar panel to power underwater light?

[brian113]

Ever since I moved into my house about 10 years ago, the underwater light in my inground pool has not worked. When I finally had an electrician look at it, he said whoever installed the pool didn't bother to insulate the wiring that they buried.

The electrician quoted a price I'd rather not pay to dig up the line and redo it properly. Then, noting that I have a fence no more than six feet away from where the light is, he suggested that mounting a solar panel array on the fence could be a more cost-effective solution.

He was unable to find such a set-up in any of his resources, but I'm wondering if anyone in here is aware of any?

 

[Jnet]

You would need a panel, battery, and a charge controller. This may end up costing as much as the electrician. Does the spot on the fence get plenty of direct sun? What's the wattage of the light, and how many hours per day would you want to use it? (I assume it's a 12 volt light)

 

[Household6]

Ever since I moved into my house about 10 years ago, the underwater light in my inground pool has not worked. When I finally had an electrician look at it, he said whoever installed the pool didn't bother to insulate the wiring that they buried.

The electrician quoted a price I'd rather not pay to dig up the line and redo it properly. Then, noting that I have a fence no more than six feet away from where the light is, he suggested that mounting a solar panel array on the fence could be a more cost-effective solution.

He was unable to find such a set-up in any of his resources, but I'm wondering if anyone in here is aware of any?

I’m in a similar situation. I do believe our wiring is insulated, but I have zero desire to drain half my pool to replace the niche, fixture, etc.

I have found “waterproof street lights” with a remote control on amazon, but not sure waterproof is the same as submersible.

We also have a telephone pole light (privately owned, not from electric Co). It’s dead too. (Likely the sensor cell on top I’m told). Same thing - no desire to try the “right” fix. Plus, neighbors complained when it did work that it shined in their bedroom windows. So the polite thing to do would be to have a remote to turn the light on/off. I’m considering this Licwshi 48 LED 4500mAh Solar Light, IP65 Waterproof Outdoor Security Night Light, Wireless Wall Lamp with Motion Sensor and Remote Control for Garden, Fence, Patio, Yard, Gate - Warm White Light Amazon.com: Licwshi 48 LED 4500mAh Solar Light, IP65 Waterproof Outdoor Security Night Light, Wireless Wall Lamp with Motion Sensor and Remote Control for Garden, Fence, Patio, Yard, Gate - Warm White Light: Home Improvement.

Back to the in-pool light . . . Would the sunlight that reflects on the pool not be enough for a solar panel to capture and provide the energy for? Someone had to have come up with a circular light that has a ring of solar panels around it that somehow clips onto the niche of an old light. . . . or maybe that’s my million dollar patent?

 

[Cincicobra]

I have been really curious about these lights. I have a pentair aqualumin III that is fine, unless we are having movie night then the darn thing is way too bright while you are in the pool and it interferes with the projector. I started looking for temporary solar lights and found this light. It is from europe and not distributed in the US yet, as we always seem to be a few years behind their innovation and market presence. It would be an option, and really non-invasive, but you would kind of be a test case for sure at less than $300.

Waterproof solar led lamp,lighting up your swimming pool,fountain,pond

 

[PoolGate]

I have been really curious about these lights. I have a pentair aqualumin III that is fine, unless we are having movie night then the darn thing is way too bright while you are in the pool and it interferes with the projector. I started looking for temporary solar lights and found this light. It is from europe and not distributed in the US yet, as we always seem to be a few years behind their innovation and market presence. It would be an option, and really non-invasive, but you would kind of be a test case for sure at less than $300.

Waterproof solar led lamp,lighting up your swimming pool,fountain,pond

I would wonder how long that light can output 320 lumens seems like a lot of light for solar. Unless the battery is huge and the panel is large I can't see using that more than 1/2 hour or so before the battery is depleted. I think it more likely US companies investigated solar power for underwater lights and realized there is a very small market for them as a replacement for traditional powered lights.

 

[brian113]

You would need a panel, battery, and a charge controller. This may end up costing as much as the electrician. Does the spot on the fence get plenty of direct sun? What's the wattage of the light, and how many hours per day would you want to use it? (I assume it's a 12 volt light)

Not sure about the wattage of the light. It was in there when we bought the house. Based on what http://shadowcalculator.eu says for the spot, it would get about 7-8 hours of direct sunlight during the summer months before the sun passes overhead and the fence begins to cast a shadow. Since the panels would be angled out from the fence, they would get a little more than that amount of sunlight, but I'm not sure how much.

We've used the light a total of zero times in the 10 years we've lived here, and we have no kids to stay out swimming all night, so really, I don't expect that we'd use the light for more than an hour or so, and we probably would use it once every three or four days on average.

* * *

Going in another direction: We're likely to get a new liner in 2020 or 2021. This is the first inground pool I've owned, and it was installed by the previous owner, so excuse me if I'm misusing the term here ... The rounded edge that holds the liner in place -- that's the coping, right?

I think I've only seen this made of a single material, but I wonder if it would be feasible to manufacture the coping with transparent plastic window on the bottom of it so LED strip lips could be strung inside the coping, protected from the water, casting the light down into the pool. A quick search shows that others here and elsewhere on the web have raised the issue of LED strip lighting for pools, with the consensus seeming to be that it's a bad idea. I wonder if it might ever be cost-effective for a waterproof coping with a translucent component for LEDs to be brought to the retail market.

 

[Household6]

I have been really curious about these lights. I have a pentair aqualumin III that is fine, unless we are having movie night then the darn thing is way too bright while you are in the pool and it interferes with the projector. I started looking for temporary solar lights and found this light. It is from europe and not distributed in the US yet, as we always seem to be a few years behind their innovation and market presence. It would be an option, and really non-invasive, but you would kind of be a test case for sure at less than $300.

Waterproof solar led lamp,lighting up your swimming pool,fountain,pond

I contacted the company. Guy said I have 15 days to return (I pay shipping) if I’m not satisfied. Warranties for one year against mfg defects. If I pay via PayPal I (supposedly) can fall back on their guarantee, if needed.

I’m inclined to give one a try for the benefit of the forum. (I’ll need 2 of them if it works.)

Anyone have an idea of how this works with customs and duty taxes? I’d like to know exactly how much of a financial hit I’m in for if it’s a piece of junk.

I’m figuring $190 for the light, $25 for shipping. Taxes? Duty?

 

[PoolGate]

It most likely won't be worth the money and hassle to return it. I would look for a European forum that has some reviews on this light. Quite frankly that amount of money is not enough to make a light that is worth using. I think you are just throwing your money away.

 

[Household6]

It most likely won't be worth the money and hassle to return it. I would look for a European forum that has some reviews on this light. Quite frankly that amount of money is not enough to make a light that is worth using. I think you are just throwing your money away.

But. . . but . . .

“There are bestaolar cells, very slim high capacity lion battery and high efficiency osram led.”

 

[tim5055]

Folks, I'm just going to throw this out there. We never recommend using any submersible light in your pool that is not certified/rated for a pool installation.

It's simple, electricity and pool water don't play well together.

While I assume these lights are low voltage and probably can't harm you, I have no idea for sure.