Light Up Your Nights - A Guide to Installing LED strip pool lights
Tired of lackluster pool lighting? It's time to light up your nights and underwater spaces with brilliant customizable led strip pool lights. This comprehensive pool led strip lights installation guide will walk you through transforming your pool with energy-efficient, versatile LED strip lighting.
Table of Contents:
- LED Strip Benefits Over Traditional Lights
- - Energy Efficiency
- - Long Lifespan
- - Vibrant Colors
- - Customizable Effects
- - Easy Installation
- - Brightness
- - Control
- Key Purchase Considerations
- Recommended LED Strip Placement
- Step-By-Step Installation Guide
- Control and Automation Options
- - RF Remotes
- - Smartphone/Tablet Apps
- - Voice Control
- - Light Shows
- - Music Visualization
- - Smart Home Integration
- - Timers
- Operation and Maintenance
LED Strip Benefits Over Traditional Lights
Compared to older pool lighting like incandescent, halogen bulbs or neon pool lights, led strip pool lights offer many advantages:
- Energy Efficiency
- LEDs consume about 75% less electricity, saving on energy costs.
- Long Lifespan
- LED strips last over 50,000 hours, years longer than traditional bulbs.
- Vibrant Colors
- Available in any color, with color-changing options like RGBW pool lux lights.
- Customizable Effects
- Adhere IP68 waterproof strips anywhere for unique effects
- Easy Installation
- Low voltage 12V or 24V options plug in or connect to existing wiring.
- Brightness
- More LEDs per foot means unparalleled lumen output.
- Control
- Sync dynamic lighting shows to music or pool activities with built-in controllers.
For illumination, aesthetics, cost-savings and hassle-free care, led strip pool lights are the superior pool lighting choice.
Key Purchase Considerations
Once you decide to install LED pool strips, assess a few specifications:
- Length
- Measure where led strip pool lights will mount and calculate lengths needed.
- Colors
- Pick single color or multi-color RGB/RGBW strips. RGBW offers the most options.
- IP Rating
- IP68 strips are fully submersible. IP65 are fine for surface mounting.
- Light Output
- Brighter strips have more LEDs per foot, consuming more energy.
- Beam Angle
- Wider 120-180° spreads provide ambient glow. 60° beams are more focused.
- Cable Length
- Longer cables make wiring easier. Look for 16 foot cables.
- Voltage
- Low voltage 12V or 24V. 12V is preferred for DIY installs.
- Wet Rated
- Ensure led strip pool lights, power supplies, and controllers are outdoor/pool rated.
Also consider minimum order quantities, widths like 1/2" or 1", and cuttable increments.
Recommended LED Strip Placement
Proper placement creates maximum visual impact. Consider:
- Perimeter
- Outline walls, copings, steps. Provides safety and ambiance.
- Floor
- Curves, grids, rings create colorful patterns.
- Walls
- Vertical led strip pool lights mounted under waterline create full reflective glow.
- Bench Tops/Sides
- Hide or accent benches and seating areas.
- Steps
- Match riser colors to depths as a safety indicator.
- Water Features
- Spotlight bubblers, slides, fountains.
Combine multiple placements for stunning multidimensional effects.
Step-By-Step Installation Guide
Installing led strip pool lights is straightforward when properly planned. Follow these steps:
1. Determine placements and measure lengths. Order adequate LED strip lighting.
2. Deactivate pool pump and circuit breaker. Drain if installing underwater strips.
3. Clean and dry all mounting surfaces thoroughly.
4. Run cables. Use waterproof conduit and junction boxes to connect to pool wiring.
5. Mount LED strips using outdoor-rated mounting tracks, clips or silicone. Avoid damage during adhesion.
6. Attach waterproof connector cables between led strip pool lights runs. Seal connections properly.
7. Wire to control box and listed Class 2 power supply sized for the load. Use GFCI protection.
8. Affix remote control receiver and mount waterproof control box if using.
9. Test lights and control functions before refilling pool.
For best results, hire a licensed electrician for code compliance, safety and system longevity. Proper installation ensures your LED strips illuminate your swimming space beautifully and reliably for years.
Control and Automation Options
The possibilities expand with built-in controllers and wireless remotes:
- RF Remotes
- Manually control colors, brightness, and modes. Point at receiver to change.
- Smartphone/Tablet Apps
- Bluetooth/WiFi enabled led strip pool lights sync to apps for wireless convenience.
- Voice Control
- Connect strips to smart home assistants like Alexa. Control with voice commands.
- Light Shows
- Preprogrammed routines like color transitions, fading, chasing.
- Music Visualization
- Dynamic light shows synchronized to the beat and mood of songs playing.
- Smart Home Integration
- Incorporate lighting into platforms like SmartThings for total control.
- Timers
- Schedule specific lighting periods like sunset-to-midnight or weekend-only.
Automated controls make LED strip installation even more worthwhile. Design hands-free experiences.
Operation and Maintenance
Keep your LED strips looking their best with simple maintenance steps:
- Avoid overtightening mounting hardware or excess cable tension.
- Check waterproof connections occasionally for any leaks or corrosion. Reseal if needed.
- Clean strips and lenses with a soft brush and mild detergent to increase light output.
- Test GFCI breaker monthly. Trip and reset to ensure protection.
- Replace any failed driver, power supply, receiver or control components immediately.
- Watch for sections of led strip pool lights that stop emitting light and replace strips as needed.
With proper installation and care, LED strip pool lights will amaze for many years. Enjoy the glow!
Transform your pool into a vibrant nighttime showplace with led strip pool lights. We hope this guide covered everything needed to successfully illuminate your backyard oasis. Let us know if you have any other questions before installing strips to light up your nights!