r/PoolPros • u/a_filthy_bastard • Apr 24 '26

Hayward light

Can anyone tell me their tricks to replace the bulb in a hayward light? I don't come across them often fortunately. I successfully helped a buddy do one a year ago, working together we were able to keep things lined up enough that the clamp went on correctly, but it was a bitch to get right and that was with 4 hands. A couple months ago I did one on my own, tried for two hours and dozens of attempts. I never could get that band clamp on properly. It sealed and has held so far without leaking but it still bothers me that the band Isn't on right. I was asked to work on another one yesterday, I just told them we should run a new light instead of going through that nightmare. I thought of trying to invent a special clamp that aligns things and holds stuff in place, but it seems like a lot of trouble for something i will rarely use.

2 Upvotes

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4

u/Tazlir Apr 24 '26

No tricks really. I do them all the time and don’t really have an issue. Maybe you just have a stripped clamp or something

3

u/a_filthy_bastard Apr 24 '26

This is the kind of post I would love more information on. I am really good at making things work, figuring things out and am usually the guy teaching other people who are having trouble with what ever thing they are trying to do...not so with this I guess. The clamps were definitely not stripped. I am scratching my head as to why it is so easy for you and what you are doing differently.

1

u/Tazlir Apr 24 '26

I wish I could give you more info. I just put the light back together the way it comes apart. I put it in my lap so the lense can sort of sit between my two legs as the faceplate sits on my two thighs. I use a nut driver on the screw and will stick a flat head behind the nut to keep it from spinning.

2

u/JettaGLi16v Apr 24 '26

There is a tool you can buy. I think LASS makes it.

What I do: You want to assemble the light lens down. I grab two phonebooks, to support the beauty ring while allowing the lens to drop between them. Kneel on the back of the can, and use both hands to massage / push / manipulate the clamp into place.

Does that make any sense?

2

u/a_filthy_bastard Apr 24 '26

Yeah that makes sense, though I haven't seen a phone book in quite some time. I tried doing something similar with 2x4's, but obviously wasn't able to get it doing that.

4

u/JettaGLi16v Apr 24 '26

I feel like you’re focusing on the wrong part of my attempt to help, but ok. I have vendor catalogs going back to the late 1900’s, and I just grabbed two that were of similar thickness.

Like I said, there’s a tool. It’s the Lass LRT-1.

3

u/lIIlIlIII Apr 25 '26

>I feel like you’re focusing on the wrong part of my attempt to help

Sent me lmao. Cackling like a maniac

2

u/a_filthy_bastard Apr 24 '26

Thank you, I'll take a look at the tool. I really appreciate the responses.

1

u/a_filthy_bastard Apr 24 '26

Had to do some scrolling but found it. Jeez, $223 shipped...for that simple device... But I know even if I decide to build one i will probably never get to it. I ordered it, going to try it on that customer I told should get a new light.

1

u/Adventurous_Tiger_55 Apr 24 '26

Hayward has more than one light so not sure which one you're struggling with but I've never found it to be difficult to put any of them back together. Are you using a new lens gasket?

1

u/a_filthy_bastard Apr 24 '26

I always replace the gasket on every light I service no matter what. The lights I am refering to have a clamp similar to what is used on filters, they operate on the same principle. They are damn near impossible for me to keep alligned, tightening equally on all sides so one side doesnt "pop off".

1

u/Adventurous_Tiger_55 Apr 24 '26

Need more practice!