UV Light Lifespan

[Nathaniellund17]

I'm attaching a picture of my UV sterilizer (Pentair 40-watt). As with everything, it has a lifespan... I suppose I should have known that, but didn't think it would by 5 years. You can see the PVC casing is becoming translucent. Has anybody else experienced this? How soon should I work to replace the casing? My understanding is that the biggest problem will be the PVC casing could crack, then I'll have a big mess on my hands with the water leaking. Am I at the point where I should just shut it off until I can replace the unit?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'm attaching a picture of my UV sterilizer (Pentair 40-watt). As with everything, it has a lifespan... I suppose I should have known that, but didn't think it would by 5 years. You can see the PVC casing is becoming translucent. Has anybody else experienced this? How soon should I work to replace the casing? My understanding is that the biggest problem will be the PVC casing could crack, then I'll have a big mess on my hands with the water leaking. Am I at the point where I should just shut it off until I can replace the unit?

I've seen that with some UV lights in the past. When I see light bleeding through the fixture, I take the unit out of service or replace the parts if I can - I've always been worried about the plastic becoming brittle over time, like you mentioned. I've used Pentair products long-term though, and I don't recall seeing that with them before (but my units we had were the black plastic IIFC). Some light shine through the fittings is normal I think. UV bulbs should be replaced every 8000 hours or so.

 

[Nathaniellund17]

I've seen that with some UV lights in the past. When I see light bleeding through the fixture, I take the unit out of service or replace the parts if I can - I've always been worried about the plastic becoming brittle over time, like you mentioned. I've used Pentair products long-term though, and I don't recall seeing that with them before (but my units we had were the black plastic IIFC). Some light shine through the fittings is normal I think. UV bulbs should be replaced every 8000 hours or so.

Thanks for the reply. I have some duct reflective tape that I taped over the majority of the pvc. I’m going to use that until the uv sterilizers go on sale… most likely next Black Friday… so hopefully I can get almost another year out of it. Also going to cut back the length too which it’s on. Hopefully that works.

 

[Waters]

I had the same issue with two different Pentair units....both ended up cracking and leaking. I switched to Aqua and have not had any issues as of yet.

 

[BZOFIQ]

This is why Lifeguard Pro Max UV units have a "sacrificial" sleeve inside that gets replaced protecting the outer housing from UV.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'm attaching a picture of my UV sterilizer (Pentair 40-watt). As with everything, it has a lifespan... I suppose I should have known that, but didn't think it would by 5 years. You can see the PVC casing is becoming translucent. Has anybody else experienced this? How soon should I work to replace the casing? My understanding is that the biggest problem will be the PVC casing could crack, then I'll have a big mess on my hands with the water leaking. Am I at the point where I should just shut it off until I can replace the unit?

I'd take it out of service ASAP before you have a much bigger mess to deal with.

 

[Freenow54]

This is why Lifeguard Pro Max UV units have a "sacrificial" sleeve inside that gets replaced protecting the outer housing from UV.

If your talking about Quartz sleeve they all do you cant have the bulb exposed directly to water . If you are talking something different take a picture I am really interested Thanks

 

[BZOFIQ]

If your talking about Quartz sleeve they all do you cant have the bulb exposed directly to water . If you are talking something different take a picture I am really interested Thanks

not the quartz sleeve....abviously.


See parts #7 & #13

https://lifegardaquatics.com/collec...germicidal-uv-55-watts?variant=32198628737162

Parts...

https://lifegardaquatics.com/collec...ts-3-diameter-set-of-3?variant=33820417556618

 

[Freenow54]

not the quartz sleeve....abviously.


See parts #7 & #13

https://lifegardaquatics.com/collec...germicidal-uv-55-watts?variant=32198628737162

Parts...

https://lifegardaquatics.com/collec...ts-3-diameter-set-of-3?variant=33820417556618

Sorry had to ask I have never heard that part defined that way. Housing yes. Very Strange reaction have to think on that to figure it out. At any rate . I am trying to remember the dimensions of other material like ABS or CPVC . Can it be disassembled ? If not I wonder if you could slide a different material inside the pvc and seal it

 

[BZOFIQ]

Sorry had to ask I have never heard that part defined that way. Housing yes. Very Strange reaction have to think on that to figure it out. At any rate . I am trying to remember the dimensions of other material like ABS or CPVC . Can it be disassembled ? If not I wonder if you could slide a different material inside the pvc and seal it

It's not the housing that get's replaced here. It's a sleeve that goes inside and lines the housing. The housing is black, while the sleeve is white to reflect the UV. This sleeve is sacrificial. The whole UV can be disassembled per drawing provided earlier.

I'm about a month from disassembling mine after 2 years and so I am wondering what condition things are inside, organism/film growth inside, etc.

 

[Freenow54]

So then " whatever" is going into your Rodi Water ? That doesn't bother You? and why and I am interested do you need something sacrificial and may be use a salt water proof material or metal ?

 

[BZOFIQ]

So then " whatever" is going into your Rodi Water ? That doesn't bother You? and why and I am interested do you need something sacrificial and may be use a salt water proof material or metal ?

hmm???