UV light

[shock]

How do you replace a UV light for a water treatment system? It is over a year old and I was told they should be replaced yearly. Thanks in advance!

[pushkins]

It's going to depend on the UV system. Usually the light is housed in a water tight enclosure above the water. Most often the bulb is connected on either end sorta like a fluorescent, so it's pretty simple to replace.
I usually get my bulbs from is replacementlightbulbs.com they have almost any bulb made.

[shock]

I took the outer metal cover off to display a cylinder like tube as the enclosure. A local company installed it so there is very little descriptive text on the device. I assume you shut off the water, let it drain and ... Is it necessary to replace it yearly? Thanks!

[pushkins]

Look at the unit in question find out it's brand and go to the applicable web site for a download of the owners manual, that should tell you exactly what to do for your model in replacing the UV light.
Most (not all) UV bulbs are recommended to be replaced yearly, having said that I have two in my outdoor pond filter units, 2 years old still going strong.

I don't believe they just "stop" producing UV light, they just up and stop working all together, so if yours is still producing the UV light (be careful looking at it) then I'd think your still good.

[Gary Slusser]

I've sold hundreds of UV lights and I can't recall any with a manual having instructions on how to replace the lamp and remove the quartz sleeve and clean it. But is like taking anything else apart, you do it one piece at a time without breaking anything by thinking ahead 2-3 moves, not feeling scared etc..

The lamp is inside a quartz sleeve that is surrounded by water. Some sleeves are test tube shaped, most are like a pipe; open ended. Both stick one or both ends outside the chamber (pipe like) where the water is. You shut off the water to the UV and house, open a faucet somewhere and let the water run until it is minimal and then shut the faucet and unplug the light and the power cable/s to the lamp and remove it very carefully so as to not allow it to touch the sleeve which will break the sleeve if it does. Loosen the nut that the top end of the sleeve sticks out of and remove the lamp If the sleeve is like a test tube. If there are two nuts (ends of the sleeve) sticking out, loosen the bottom nut holding a bucket under it so water will drain into the bucket. When drained, remove the nut while holding the top end of the sleeve so it doesn't fall out to the floor as you remove the bottom nut. Nuts are usually o-ring sealed and you should replace all when servicing the light.

When putting things back together, do not over tighten the nuts (hand tight only), doing so can break the sleeve very easily.

I suggest buying two pair of replacement o-rings and always having a spare and a spare quartz sleeve with the new lamp. If you break a sleeve or ruin o-rings, you can't turn on the water until you get a new one. No UV light should have any type of bypass around it.

All UV lights should have a prefilter housing on the inlet to allow sanitizing of the light and all plumbing past the light whenever the light has been off for some time, like when being serviced.

Do not touch a sleeve except on the very end, fingerprints prevent light transference into the water.

[shock]

Thanks for the info. The bulb I need is ATS8-246 but based on your info. it would be better to get the kit ATS-K15 which includes the o-rings and sleeve. I just need to find a place that carries that part number.

[Gary Slusser]

ATS is Aqua Treatment Systems Mechanicsburg PA. Tell them I sent you.

http://www.aquat.com/

You need the model number of the UV light. ATS8 may mean an 8 gpm.

You could also get the stuff from Water Treatment and Accessories in Lancaster PA. Tell Carol or Laura I sent you. They may be less expensive than ATS.

http://www.uvwatertreatment.com/

[shock]

Thanks Gary! Are you from that area or just frequent their establishments?

[Gary Slusser]

I've had dealer accounts with both of them for maybe 20 yrs.. If they won't sell direct to you, which they may not, you can call me.

[shock]

In case someone needs a reference in the future. It actually floats in the tube (quartz sleeve). I carefully slide off the brass shroud to reveal a socket attached to the end of the bulb. Mine had a single pin on each end. Thanks again!