underwater lights

**ramos.rene** · #1 08-03-2012, 07:34 AM

After pouring fiberglass resin in a conduit fitting im still tripping my GFCI. does anyone out there have a method of keeping water out of my underwater lamps? Im using 175w mercury vapor. Im going to test some different type of silicone and measure my activator to resin. Also, using a longer curing time.

**qapd** · #2 08-03-2012, 11:19 AM

ramos.rene,

I made an underwater light. I bought a ceramic female screw on connector. Not sure what you call them. Its what the bulb scres in to. I coated the wires with a light coat of grease before tightening the screws. I put an "O" ring around bulb trying to help seal from water. I used a 3" PVC coupling, short piece of PVC Pipe and a PVC cap. I connected everything together and suspended above the coupling while I poured resin.

I would be interested in any information you will share. I want some ideas on how to protect the bulb. Seems every failure I have had was with something hitting the bulb and breaking.

**cva34** · #3 08-03-2012, 06:24 PM

Well i'm right there with You..I got a 400w Metal Halide ballast (used for$12 and $12 shipping .Then got a 400w mercury vapor bulb.Temporary attached all ,Man after about 10 min it was like welding in garage (no way to look at Bulb)(BRITE) So I am that Far..I am in the sameplace (more less)..As for how to seal the bulb I am at loss too.But I have soldered 1 wire to threads of bulb (common )and 1 wire to center tap on bulb base (HOT) I am thinking it will be a lot easier to seal that (there should be less voids than trying to seal the bulb and Socket )Thats why I have chosen that route.I'm thinking get Pvc fitting that fits over Base and fill with something to keep water and moisture out and electric safe (something like silicone sealer ;just have not decided what will get it done and not leak, water ,.moisture, or electricity..when its 10 ft underwater ...cva34

Shannon Foye has posted some really good stuff great read on the subject if you haven't seen find it and read. I will be re- reading his stuff and trying/testing whatever sounds like will work..Keep me posted THX '...'cva34

**cva34** · #4 08-03-2012, 07:53 PM

Googled JB weld and looking at FAQ it sounds Interesting.Also mentions can be thinned to pour..Its an Insulator too.But haveing used a lot of JB over the years for things. I am quiet sure once you use it ,work or not (it will not come apart without breaking)) Will look more into it...cva34

**carryyourbooks** · #5 08-03-2012, 10:04 PM

buy a submersible light fixture.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=submerisble+light+fixture+12+volt

**limpline** · #6 08-05-2012, 07:30 PM

try heat shrink tubing

**Johnnycb** · #7 08-07-2012, 08:38 PM

Try using the stuff lawn irrigation techs use to waterproof their wiring connections. These connections are direct buried in the ground and set their lives in water,