How to Change a ClearRay Bulb in Your Hot Tub
When to change a ClearRay bulb
The yearly bulb change, with the quartz tube cleaned at the same time, is mandatory for the unit to keep working properly.1 Your control panel does the counting. It starts from 365 days and shows a reminder at zero: the display scrolls a change ClearRay bulb message on a J-300 panel, and a newer ProTouch panel says it is time to replace your ClearRay bulb.12
It is worth acting on the reminder. The bulb's UV-C output drops away significantly after 12 months and is close to nothing by 18.3 Until the new bulb is in, run the water chemistry as you would without ClearRay: free chlorine of 3.0 to 4.0 ppm or free bromine of 2.0 to 4.0 ppm, rather than the lower ClearRay levels.2 If the water has gone cloudy meanwhile, our cloudy, foamy or green water guide takes you through it.
What you need
- A Phillips screwdriver
- A clean dry cloth
- A clean latex glove
- The new bulb
If you also plan to clean the quartz tube, allow for draining the tub first.1
More parts for the same unit are in our Jacuzzi ClearRay UV and ozone parts collection.
UV Bulb Replacement for Jacuzzi® ClearRay™ Hot Tubs£29.99
Part number OLUVC. Our own-brand bulb fits Jacuzzi and Sundance hot tubs from 2012 onwards, or any hot tub fitted with ClearRay, and connects through a simple port. It works with our own quartz tube as well as Jacuzzi's.
Quartz Tube Replacement for Jacuzzi® & Outdoor Living UV Bulbs£9.99
Part number OLQUART. For the times you replace the tube rather than clean it. It surrounds the bulb and suits both the Outdoor Living and the Jacuzzi bulbs.
Change the bulb in eight steps
Switching off at the isolator is step 1. Two more safety points are about UV-C light. Never look at a lit bulb, because it can cause severe eye damage, and never run the bulb outside its enclosure. UV-C can harm eyes and skin even in small doses.1 The drawings show the part you handle in purple.
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1
Switch off at the isolator and let the bulb cool
Turn the hot tub's breaker to off at its isolator (or at the consumer unit) and keep it off until step 7.1 Then give the bulb at least 15 minutes to cool before you touch anything.3 How the supply is set up is covered in our hot tub electrical installation guide.
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2
Take the ClearRay cover off
Open the cabinet panel to reach the ClearRay unit, then take out the four screws holding its enclosure cover with a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the cover away together with its gasket.13 The unit sits in a different spot on different models, so your owner's manual will show you where.1
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3
Unplug the bulb socket
Pull the bulb's socket apart from the power cord socket, holding the plastic housings rather than the lead.1 The two sockets sit on the cord side of the enclosure, next to the black boot. Once they are apart, nothing can light the bulb.
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5
Fit the new bulb with a glove on
Put on a clean latex glove first, because oil from bare skin leaves hot spots on the glass and shortens the bulb's life.1 Plug the new bulb's socket into the power cord socket, slide the bulb into the quartz tube, then push the black bulb boot back over the compression nut.1
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8
Set the bulb timer back to 365 days
The panel counts down from 365 days and asks for a new bulb when it reaches zero, so tell it you have changed the bulb. On a J-300 panel, press until the UV menu appears (the display scrolls ClearRay bulb), set the days and confirm.1 On a newer ProTouch panel, go to Settings, then Water Care, then ClearRay, set the days and confirm.2
Quartz tube, old bulb and final checks
Cleaning the quartz tube at the same time
The 12-month service includes the quartz tube.1 This one needs the hot tub drained first, because the compression nut comes off. Turn the nut anticlockwise, keep the steel washer safe, then wipe the tube until clear with a paper towel or dry cotton cloth. A household lime remover helps if needed; abrasive cleaners scratch the quartz. Rinse well, refit the washer, hand tighten the nut clockwise and refill the tub.1
With the tub running, watch the nut for drips. If any appear, tighten it by up to a quarter turn with pliers.1
The old bulb and the final checks
The old bulb contains mercury, so it goes for recycling rather than in the bin.1 Household waste recycling centres are part of the network that collects and recycles used lamps.4
If the red ballast light does not come on after step 7, switch off at the isolator again and check the socket is pushed fully home. If you would rather have it done for you, our technicians can change the bulb as part of a hot tub service. Our hot tub safety guide has more on working safely around your tub.
Quick answers
Open a question to read the answer.
How often should a ClearRay bulb be changed?
Every 12 months. The yearly bulb change is mandatory for the ClearRay unit to work properly, and the control panel counts down 365 days to remind you.
Do I need to drain the hot tub to change a ClearRay bulb?
Not for the bulb alone. You only need to drain the tub if you are cleaning or replacing the quartz tube, because the compression nut comes off for that.
How do I reset the ClearRay timer after changing the bulb?
Set the bulb timer back to 365 days from the control panel. On a J-300 panel press until the UV menu appears and set the days. On a newer ProTouch panel go to Settings, then Water Care, then ClearRay.
Can I touch the new ClearRay bulb?
Only with a clean latex glove on. Oil from bare skin creates hot spots on the glass and shortens the bulb's life.
How long does it take to change a ClearRay bulb?
About five minutes of work once the bulb has cooled, and it is a once-a-year job.
What do I do with the old ClearRay bulb?
Recycle it. The bulb contains mercury, so it should not go in the household bin. Your local household waste recycling centre can take used lamps.
Do I still need chlorine or bromine with ClearRay?
Yes. ClearRay lets you run lower sanitiser levels: free chlorine of at least 1.0 ppm or free bromine of at least 2.0 ppm, against 3.0 to 4.0 ppm of chlorine without it. Keep pH at 7.4 to 7.6.
Sources
Paul Margerison
Managing Director & Founder, Outdoor Living
A fresh ClearRay bulb once a year keeps the UV system doing its job and the water clear. This guide puts every step in order so the change is quick.