Pentair Spectrum Amerlite Instructions Manual

Spectrum Amerlite® (SAm®)

Color 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. ............................................................................................ 2

Section II. Replacing light fixture in existing pool. .................................................................................................................. 3

Section III. Switching Options for Spectrum Amerlite Color Synchronization ........................................................................ 4

Section IV. SAm Operating Instructions ................................................................................................................................. 4

Section V. Replacing lamp's only ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Section VI. Stainless Steel Face Ring Assy. Instructions. ....................................................................................................... 7

Section VII. Spectrum Amerlite (SAm) Replacement Parts ....................................................................................................... 7

Sección I. Instalación del artefacto de iluminación durante la construcción de una piscina nueva ..................................... 10

Section I. Installation du luminaire pendant la construction d’une piscine nouvelle .......................................................... 18

{P/N 600051} - For operation only with safety isolating transformer.

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 accompanying this light.
Failure to follow safety warnings and instructions can result in severe injury, death, or property damage.
Call [phone] for additional free copies of these instructions.

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.

Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.

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

Visit us on the Internet at: www.pentairpool.com or www.staritepool.com

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Section I. Installing light fixture

during new pool construction.

A. Preparatory steps which must be

completed by the electrician before the
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 as follows:

a. The lighting circuit has a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) for line voltage models, 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 the

maximum water level of the pool 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. (Not more than 20" depth in Canada.)

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, Inc. 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, Inc., American Products or Purex 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 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 the niche and tighten the special pilot screw.

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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. Refer to Operating Instructions, Section IV., for full function test.

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) for line voltage models, 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

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, Inc. 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, Inc., American Products or Purex 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 itself.

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.

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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 the niche and tighten the 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, as well as the switch which operates the underwater light itself,
to check for proper operation. Refer to Operating Instructions, Section IV., for full function test.

Section III. Switching Options for Spectrum Amerlite Color Synchronization.

A. Multiple SAm's ALWAYS in color synchronization.

1. If multiple SAm's are desired to always be on or off together and always with synchronized colors, multiple SAm's
may be controlled by a single switch to the extent allowed by code and capacity of the electrical equipment.

B. Multiple SAm's controlled separately but with color synchronize capabilities.

1. If on/off function or color of multiple SAm's is desired to be controlled separately, then SAm's should be controlled
by separate switches. It is recommended that the switches controlling SAm's be in immediate proximately of each
other to allow simple color synchronization.

Section IV. SAm Operating Instructions.

A. ON -- SAm turns on whichever color it was turned off.

st

OFF/ON -- SAm fast forwards to white and pauses for up to 30 seconds, waiting for other SAm's to synchronize.

B. 1

SAm then begins rolling through the Spectrum and will continue rolling until receipt of next switch command.

nd

OFF/ON -- SAm holds on displayed color.

C. 2

st

D. OFF/ON -- Repeats 1
E. OFF/ON Again -- SAm holds on displayed color.

OFF/ON sequence function.

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Lens

Gasket

Color Wheel/
Bulb Assembly

Color Wheel/
Bulb Assembly
Mounting Studs
and Nuts (4)

Light Housing

NOTE

If multiple SAm's are preferred in color synchronization, the above should be performed on respective switches simultaneously.
If they are desired on different colors they should be switched separately.

Section V. Replacing lamp's only, see Figure 2.

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 to get the following items.
a. A new lens gasket, p/n 79101600.

b. Two (2) lamps, see Table 1.

Lamp's Specifications *

Fixture Bulb Bulb

Voltage Voltage Wattage Lamp Type P/N

120V 12V 75W EYC 79112400

12V 12V 75W EYC 79112400

* NOTE: Both 120V and 12V SAm's use the same 12V bulb.

Table 1.

WARNING

Replace the lamp with a similar type and wattage. Failure to replace the 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 likewise could result in serious injury to pool users, installers, or bystanders, or in

damage to property.

3. To remove light assembly, remove the special pilot screw
at top of face ring, remove light assembly from niche, and
gently place assembly on deck. You are not required to
drain down the pool.

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.

Transformer required on 12 volt models.

4. Disassemble light fixture and remove bulb.
a. With a ¼" nut driver, remove 4 bulb plate retainer nuts

and place in a secure location, see Figure 3.

b. Lift color wheel/bulb assembly to clear bolts, then

swing up and rest vertically in light fixture to provide
bulb access, see Figure 3.

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NOTE

Figure 2.

c. Squeeze bulb retainer where indicated, grip white socket and slide bulb out sideways.

Copper Lamp Retainer

Bulbs (2)

d. Grip white socket and, working back and forth, pull socket from bulb pins.
e. Repeat for second bulb. Always replace both bulbs at the same time.

WARNING

Be sure the power is OFF before installing or removing lamp. Allow the lamp to cool before relamping. This light fixture uses a
quartz Halogen lamp. DO NOT touch the lamp with bare hands: This may severely reduce its life. Use the plastic furnished with
the replacement, a clean rag, or a tissue to eliminate fingerprints from getting on the lamp.

5. Install the new lamp(s).
a. Push bulbs into white socket.
b. Squeeze copper bulb retainer and slide bulb in from

side.

c. Ensure bulb is tight against copper plate between

locating guide bumps.

6. Remove old gasket from lens and discard it.

7. Swing color wheel/bulb assembly back into position over 4
fixture studs. Secure with 4 nuts. Do not over tighten.

8. Install new gasket during reassembly of light, Pentair
Water Pool and Spa, Inc. 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, or bystanders, or in damage to property.

9. Align the special pilot screw on the face ring with the
letter "O" of the word "TOP" on the surface of the lens.
The pilot screw, "O" in "TOP" and the white pointer on the color wheel/bulb assembly should also align with the
cord compression fitting on the top rear of the light fixture.

10. Align the special pilot screw on the face ring with the letter "O" of the word "TOP" on the surface of the lens.
The pilot screw, "O" in "TOP" and the white pointer on the color wheel/bulb assembly should also align with the
cord compression fitting on the top rear of the light fixture.

11. Secure ring to light fixture. See Section VI., Stainless Steel Face Ring Assembly Instructions.

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

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.

WARNING

Figure 3.

13. 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. Refer to Operating Instructions, Section IV., for full function test.

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Section VI. Stainless Steel Face Ring Assy. Instructions.

1. Replace lens gasket. A NEW LENS GASKET MUST BE
USED EACH TIME THE LIGHT IS REASSEMBLED.

2. With the light resting on its base, place lens/gasket
assembly on light fixture and position so the white pointer
on the color wheel/bulb assembly points to the "O" in the
word "TOP" on the surface of the lens. See Figure 2.

3. Align the special pilot screw on the face ring with the
letter "O" of the word "TOP" on the surface of the lens.
The pilot screw, "O" in "TOP" and the white pointer on the
color wheel/bulb assembly should also align with the cord
compression fitting on the top rear of the light fixture.

A

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

4. With the bent ends of the circular uni-tension clamp

45 degrees

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 4, location A. Check to see that the clamp

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.

is properly engaged with all of the levers.

5. Turn the light so that it is now resting on its lens. Tighten the screw and nut until the distance between the ends of
the clamp equals 1/4 inch or less; see Figure 5.

Section VII. Spectrum Amerlite (SAm) Replacement Parts.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Item
No. Part No. Description

1 79212100 Face ring, large plastic, white
1 79212165 Face ring, large plastic, gray
1 79212111 Face ring, large plastic, 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 assembly
5 619385 Lens, SAm, standard
6 79101600 Gasket, 8-3/8 in. lens
7 619487 Nut, r etai ning
8 79112400 Bulb, 75 watt, EYC, MR-16, 2 req.

8 619352 Bulb, 35 watt, FMW, MR-16, 2 req.

NOT SHOWN

619489 Colorwheel assembly

8

619495 Colorwheel motor w/gear

NOTE

120V SAm's have and integral 12V transformer.

All SAm's use 12V lamp.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Rev. C • Rev. C • Rév. C 5-3-06 7 P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. P/N 619408

© 2005 Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.

This document is subject to change without notice.
Trademarks and Disclaimers. The Pentair Water Pool and Spa logo is a trademark of Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. Amerlite and SAm are registered trademarks of

Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names of their
products. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

P/N • Núm/Pte. • Réf. P/N 619408 8 Rev. C • Rev. C • Rév. C 5-3-06