Pentair Amerlite Owners Manual

Amerlite® Underwater Light Owner’s Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Listed

Table of Contents

SECTION I. Installing light fixture during new pool construction ..........................................................................3

SECTION II. Replacing light fixture in existing pool ..............................................................................................4

SECTION III. Replacing a lamp only .......................................................................................................................5

SECTION IV. Amerlite Parts Breakdown ...............................................................................................................7

SECCIÓN I. Instalación del accesorio para lámpara durante la construcción de una piscina nueva .................. 11

SECTION I. Installation de l’appareil d’éclairage lors de la construction d’une nouvelle piscine ....................... 19

DANGER

Risk of Electrical Shock or Electrocution

This underwater light must be installed by a licensed or certified electrician in accordance with the
National Electrical Code and all applicable local codes and ordinances. Improper installation will
create an electrical hazard which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installer, or
others due to electrical shock, and may also cause damage to property. Read and follow the specific
instructions below.

WARNING

Before installing this product, read and follow all warning notices and instructions which are included. Failure to
follow safety warnings and instructions can result in severe injury, death, or property damage.
Call [phone] for additional free copies of this manual.

Important Notice

Attention Installer.
This manual contains important information about the installation, operation and safe use of this

product. This information should be given to the owner/operator of this equipment.

Product Labeling

Certain product labeling has been provided in French and Spanish!
Install these labels over the corresponding English text label if the personnel operating or servicing the product is fluent in either of these languages.
If more than one language is spoken by personnel operating or servicing this equipment, then install the additional labels of the required language adjacent to

the English text label. If insufficient space is available on the product to install multiple labels, then these labels should be placed on a placard or sign and
posted near the equipment where it is visible to all who operate or service this equipment.

Before installing the label, remove all dirt or grease from the surface that the labels will be installed upon using a mild detergent solution.

Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.

1620 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, NC 27330 • [phone] • [phone]
10951 West Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021 • [phone] • [phone]

Visit www.pentairpool.com or www.staritepool.com

Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11 1 P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000

DANGER! Risk of Electrical Shock or Electrocution!

This product must be installed by a licensed or certified electrician or a qualified pool serviceman
in accordance with the National Electrical Code and all applicable local codes and ordinances.
Improper installation will create an electrical hazard which could result in death --- or serious
injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock, and may also cause damage to
property. Always disconnect the power to the pool light at the circuit breaker before servicing the
light. Failure to do so could result in death or serious injury to serviceman, pool users or others
due to electrical shock. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL.

WARNING — Important Safety Information for Pentair Niche and Light Installation

All Niche and Light installations must conform with all codes. If local codes mandate a

•

cord seal, use Pentair plastic niches (P/N 79206600 and P/N 79206700).

• Under no circumstances replace lights by splicing wire under water or behind niche.

WARNING —

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK AND INJURY.

USE ONLY THE INSTALLATION METHOD SPECIFIED BELOW.

Important Safety Information for Fountain Fixture Installations

Location of Pentair Fountain Fixture* Required Installation Method
Luminaire (Light) Use (P/N 560000 – P/N 560001)

(P/N 560002 – P/N 560003)

Swimming Pool or Spa Wet-Niche Swimming Pool Fixture Housing (Forming Shell) ONLY.

(or Spa) Luminaire (Light) DO NOT USE Fountain Fixture Stand.

Fountain Wet-Niche Submersible Fixture Housing (Forming Shell) or

Swimming Pool (or Spa) Fountain Fixture Stand.
Luminaire (Light)

(*) Note: Wet-niche luminaires complying with requirements for both uses may bear both the Listed Wet-Niche
Swimming Pool (or Spa) Luminaire UL Mark and the Listed Wet-Niche Submersible Luminaire UL Mark. A luminaire
not bearing the corresponding UL Listing Mark is not considered by UL to have been produced under UL’s Listing
and Follow-Up Service for the associated usage location.

WARNING —

THE LIGHT LENS MAY GET HOT WHEN IN USE. USERS SHOULD AVOID
CONTACT WITH THE LIGHT AS SERIOUS BURNS MAY RESULT FROM
PROLONGED CONTACT WITH THE LIGHT.

© 2011 Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.

This document is subject to change without notice.

Pentair Pool Products®. Because reliability matters most

and Spa, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. Unless noted, names and brands of others that
may be used in this document are not used to indicate an affiliation or endorsement between the proprietors of these names and brands
and Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. Those names and brands may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of those parties or others.

P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000 2 Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11

®

, Amerlitea® are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Pentair Water Pool

SECTION I. Installing light fixture

during new pool construction

A. Preparatory steps which must be completed

by the electrician before light fixture is
installed; see Figure 1.

1. Verify that the pool meets the
requirements of the current National
Electrical Code and all local codes and
ordinances. A licensed or certified
electrician must install the electrical
system to meet or exceed those
requirements before the underwater
light is installed. Some of the
requirements of the National Electrical Code which the pool’s electrical system must meet are listed below.

a. The lighting circuit must have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), and an appropriately rated circuit

breaker.

b. The Junction Box (or, for 12 volt models, the low voltage transformer) must be located at least 8 inches above

water level, 4 inches above ground level, and at least 48 inches from the edge of the pool; see Figure 1.
c. The light fixture and all metal items within 5 feet of the pool must be properly electrically bonded.
d. The wet niche must be properly installed so the pilot screw hole is at the 12 o’clock position and that the top

edge of the underwater light’s lens is at least 18 inches below the surface of the water in the pool; see Figure 1.

To GFCI, Circuit
Breaker and
Power Source.

Rigid
Conduit

Figure 1.

4" min.

#8 AWG Ground
Connector bonding
is located at rear
of Niche.

48"

min.

16"

8" min. Junction Box or

low Voltage Transformer.

18" min. to top of Lens.

Pilot screw @12 o'clock position

Concrete must be cut
back around Niche to
allow for a compacted
plaster seal.

11.50"

Coil 4 ft. of light
cable around fixture.

NOTE

The required orientation of all Pentair lights is with the pilot screw at the 12 o’clock position. This is guaranteed by proper niche installation.

e. The wet niche must be properly electrically bonded and grounded via the No. 8 AWG ground connector located

at the rear of the niche; see Figure 1.

NOTE

The pool or spa electrical system can be verified with a Pool and Spa Electrical Qualification Test Kit. The test kit is available from Pentair
Water Pool and Spa. The electrical system inspection using this kit must be performed by trained and certified personnel.

2. To be certain that the pool’s electrical system meets all applicable requirements, the electrician should also consult
the local building department.

3. Use only Pentair Water Pool and Spa wet niches to insure proper bonding and grounding connections.

B. Steps to perform after the electrical system requirements are met.

1. Feed cord through conduit to Junction Box, leaving at least 4 feet of cord at the light fixture to coil around the light;
see Figure 1. This 4 feet of cord around the light allows the light to be serviced after the pool is filled with water.

2. Cut the cord at the Junction Box, leaving at least 6 inches of cord to make connections.

3. Strip 6 inches of the outer cord jacket to expose the three insulated wires. Be careful not to damage the insulation
on the three inner wires.

4. Connect all three wires to the corresponding circuit wires in the Junction Box (black wire to power, white wire to
common, and green wire to ground) and secure the Junction Box cover in place.

WARNING

Never operate this underwater light for more than 10 seconds unless it is totally submerged in water. Without total submersion,
the light assembly will get extremely hot, which may result in serious burns or in breakage of the lamp or lens. This may result
in serious injury to pool users, installers, or bystanders, or in damage to property.

5. Replace the light assembly into niche and tighten special pilot screw.

Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11 3 P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000

WARNING

Use only the special pilot screw provided with this underwater light. This screw mounts and electrically grounds the
housing securely to the mounting ring and wet niche. Failure to use the screw provided could create an electrical hazard
which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock.

6. Fill the pool until the underwater light is completely submerged in water before operating the light for more than
10 seconds. Turn on main switch or circuit breaker, as well as the switch which operates the underwater light
itself, to check for proper operation.

SECTION II. Replacing light fixture in existing pool

DANGER

Risk of Electrical Shock or Electrocution

This underwater light must be installed by a licensed or certified electrician or a qualified pool serviceman in
accordance with the National Electrical Code and all applicable local codes and ordinances. Improper
installation will create an electrical hazard which could result in death or serious injury to pool users,
installers or others due to electrical shock, and may also cause damage to property.
Always disconnect the power to the pool light at the circuit breaker before servicing the light. Failure to do
so could result in death or serious injury to serviceman, pool users or others due to electrical shock.

A. Before replacing the light fixture.

1. Verify that the pool meets the requirements of the current National Electrical Code and all local codes and
ordinances. A licensed or certified electrician must install the electrical system to meet or exceed those
requirements before the underwater light is installed. Some of the requirements of the National Electrical Code
which the pool’s electrical system must meet are as follows:

a. The lighting circuit has a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), and has an appropriately rated circuit

breaker.

b. The Junction Box (or, for 12 volt models, the low voltage transformer) is located at least 8 inches above

water level and at least 4 inches above ground level and at least 48 inches from the edge of the pool; see

Figure 1.
c. The light fixture and all metal items within 5 feet of the pool are properly electrically bonded.
d. The wet niche is properly installed so that the top edge of the underwater light’s lens is at least 18 inches

below the surface of the water in the pool; see Figure 1.
e. The wet niche is properly electrically bonded and grounded via the No. 8 AWG ground connector located

at the rear of the niche; see Figure 1.

NOTE:

The pool or spa electrical system can be verified with a Pool and Spa Electrical Qualification Test Kit. The test kit is available from Pentair
Water Pool and Spa. The electrical system inspection using this kit must be performed by trained and certified personnel.

2. To be certain that the pool’s electrical system meets all applicable requirements, the electrician should also
consult the local building department.

3. Use only Pentair Water Pool and Spa wet niches to insure proper bonding and grounding connections.

B. Replacing light fixture after electrical system requirements are met.

WARNING

Failure to bring the pool’s electrical system up to code requirements before installing the underwater light will create an
electrical hazard which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installers, or others due to electrical shock,
and may also cause damage to property.

1. Turn off main electrical switch or circuit breaker, as well as the switch which operates the underwater light.

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2. To remove light assembly, remove the special pilot screw at top of face ring, remove light assembly from niche,
and place assembly on deck.

WARNING

Be sure to keep the special pilot screw from this underwater light. This screw mounts and electrically grounds the
housing securely to the mounting ring and wet niche. Failure to use the screw provided could create an electrical hazard
which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock.

3. Remove Junction Box cover, disconnect the light fixture wires, and pull the cord through the conduit.

4. Feed the new light fixture cord through the conduit from the niche to the Junction Box.

NOTE:

Depending on the length of the conduit, special tools may be required to pull the cord through the conduit.

5. Leave at least 4 feet of cord to coil around the light fixture; see Figure 1. This 4 feet of cord coiled around the
light allows the light to be serviced after the pool is filled with water.

6. Cut the cord at the Junction Box, leaving at least 6 inches of cord to make connections.

7. Strip 6 inches of the outer cord jacket from the cord to expose the three insulated wires. Be careful not to
damage the insulation on the three inner wires.

8. Connect all three wires to the corresponding circuit wires in the Junction Box (black wire to power, white wire
to common, and green wire to ground) and secure the Junction Box cover in place.

WARNING

Never operate this underwater light for more than 10 seconds unless it is totally submerged in water. Without total
submersion, the light assembly will get extremely hot, which may result in serious burns or in breakage of the lamp or
lens. This may result in serious injury to pool users, installers, or bystanders, or in damage to property.

9. Replace light assembly into niche and tighten special pilot screw.

WARNING

Use only the special pilot screw provided with this underwater light. This screw mounts and electrically grounds the
housing securely to the mounting ring and wet niche. Failure to use the screw provided could create an electrical hazard
which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock.

10. Fill the pool until the underwater light is completely submerged in water before operating the light for more than
10 seconds. Turn on main switch or circuit breaker, and the switch that operates the underwater light itself, to
check for proper operation.

SECTION III. Replacing a lamp only

DANGER

Always disconnect power to the pool light at the circuit breaker before servicing the light. Failure to do so could
result in death or serious injury to installer, serviceman, pool users or others due to electrical shock.

1. Turn off main electrical switch or circuit
breaker, as well as the switch which operates
the underwater light itself.

2. You will need the following items.

a. A new lens gasket (p/n 79101600).
b. A lamp, for proper type and wattage;

see Table 1.

Lamp Specifications: 12* volt Models 120 volt Models

120 volt - 300 watt - R-40 lamp 100 watt 300 watt
120 volt - 400 watt - R-40 lamp 300 watt 400 watt
120 volt - 500 watt - R-40 lamp 500 watt

12 volt - 300 watt - R-40 lamp *Trnsfmr. req.
12 volt - 100 watt - R-40 lamp

Table 1.

Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11 5 P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000

WARNING

Replace lamp with a similar type and wattage. Failure to replace lamp with the same type of lamp will damage the light
assembly and may cause an electrical hazard resulting in death or serious injury to pool users, installers, or others due
to electrical shock, and may also cause damage to property.

WARNING

Always install a new lens gasket (part number 79101600) whenever disassembling the light. Failure to do so may permit
water to leak into the assembly which could cause:

(a) an electrical hazard resulting in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock; or,
(b) breakage of the lamp or lens, which could result in serious injury to pool users, installers, bystanders, or in
property damage.

3. To remove light assembly, remove the special pilot screw at top of face ring, remove light assembly from niche,
and place assembly on deck.

WARNING

Be sure to keep the special pilot screw from this underwater light. This screw mounts and electrically grounds the
housing securely to the mounting ring and wet niche. Failure to use the screw provided could create an electrical hazard
which could result in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or others due to electrical shock.

4. Disassemble light fixture and remove bulb. Remove and discard old gasket; see Figure 2.

5. Install new gasket during reassembly of light, Pentair Water Pool and Spa part number 79101600.

WARNING

Never operate the underwater light for more than 10 seconds unless it is totally submerged in water. Without total
submersion, the light assembly will get extremely hot and may result in serious burns or in breakage of the lamp or
lens. This may result in serious injury to pool users, installers, bystanders, or in damage to property.

6. Align the pilot screw on the face ring with the first “E” in the word “BEFORE” on the lens face. Then align the lens/
face ring assembly to the housing by lining up the pilot screw with the arrow on the warning label.

7. Secure ring to light fixture. Sealing screws must be tightened in the following manner to assure a proper seal;

a. For lights with chrome or brass face ring:

(1) Partly tighten the screw at the 12 o’clock position, and then partly tighten the screw at the 6 o’clock position.

Partly tighten the screw at another ‘opposite’ position, and then partly tighten the screw directly across
from it.

(2) Continue partly tightening all screws in the above sequence until all screws are evenly and securely tightened.

Recommended 20 inch pounds torque.

b.

For lights with stainless steel face ring:

(1) With the light resting on its base, align the face ring, and lens/gasket on top of the light shell as described in

Step 6. A NEW LENS GASKET MUST BE USED EACH TIME THE LIGHT IS REASSEMBLED.
The locking levers should all be hanging freely down to install over the lens and gasket. Before installing the
Unitension Clamp be sure that the gap at the ends of the clamp is
approximately 1 in. apart. Pull the ends of the Unitension Clamp
past one another to accomplish this.

(2) With the bent ends of the circular unitension clamp pointing

down spread the clamp and place it in the “U” recesses of the
locking levers. Be sure the bent ends of the clamp are located
between the pair of locking levers as shown in Figure 3,
location A. Check to see that the clamp is properly engaged
with all of the levers.

(3) Turn the light so that it is now resting on its lens. Tighten the bolt

and nut until the distance between the ends of the clamp equals 1/4 inch or less; see Figure 4.

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Figure 2.

8. Replace light assembly into niche and tighten
special pilot screw.

WARNING

Use only the special pilot screw provided with this
underwater light. This screw mounts and electrically
grounds the housing securely to the mounting ring
and wet niche. Failure to use the screw provided
could create an electrical hazard which could result
in death or serious injury to pool users, installers or
others due to electrical shock.

9. Fill pool until the underwater light is
completely submerged in water before
operating the light for more than 10 seconds.
Turn on main switch or circuit breaker, as
well as the switch which operates the
underwater light itself, to check for proper
operation.

SECTION IV. Amerlite Replacement Parts

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

A

45 degrees

Bolt and nut are to be tightened at approx. 45 degrees
from the pilot screw between the tabs on the face ring
as shown above.

1

2

3

5

4

6

7

Item Part Description

No. No.

1 79212100 Face ring, large plastic, for S/S only, white
1 79212165 Face ring, large plastic, for S/S only, gray
1 79212111 Face ring, large plastic, for S/S only, black
2 79104800 Pilot Screw, with captive gum washer, brass
2 619355 Pilot Screw, with captive gum washer, S/S
3 79110600 Face ring assembly, S/S
4 79111000 Uni-tension wire clamp assy.
5 79100100 Lens, clear, 8-3/8 in. dia., tempered
5 79100200 Lens, med. blue, 8-3/8 in. dia., heat resistant
6 79101600 Gasket, 8-3/8 in. lens
7 79101800 Floodlamp, med. base, 100 watt, 12 volt
7 79101900 Floodlamp, med. base, 300 watt, 12 volt
7 79102100 Floodlamp, med. base, 500 watt, 120 volt
7 79107600 Floodlamp, med. base, 300 watt, 120 volt
7 79102200 Floodlamp, med. base, 400 watt, 120 volt

78900700 Kwik-change lens cover, green
78900800 Kwik-change lens cover, blue
78900900 Kwik-change lens cover, red

Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11 7 P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

© 2011 Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to change without notice.

1620 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, NC 27330 • [phone] • [phone]
10951 West Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021 • [phone] • [phone]

P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. 99360000 8 Rev. J • Rev. J • Rév. J 10-27-11