ballast on fire

I

insurancefish

New member
I came home from eating dinner out with my family for fathers day and discovered all the power was out to my tank. I checked my breaker and discovered it had been triggered. I reset it and came inside to check my tank to see what was wrong or what could have triggered the breaker.

I opened the doors to my fuge area to see fire coming out of both sides of my icecap ballast, smoke starting rolling out and crackling and popping. I immediately cut the power to the ballast, as soon as I gained my senses...

Thank god, no damage was done, other than the ballast is history.

I have read one or two other stories similar to this. Is there a particilar lighting system that is safer than the other as far as fires?

The particular ballast was an Icecap model 660-009, a fairly old ballast.
 
From IceCap:
Safety is an issue we don't take lightly (no pun intended). Please call Dave in service at IceCap Monday AM east coast time, 800-742-3227 ext. 25. Is it possible saltwater dripped down the harness wires?
Call tomorrow and we'll get you back and running, safely.
Andy
 
Thanks Andy,

Thanks Andy,

Thanks Andy,

No water. I always loop everything and I just double checked to make sure. I believe it's just age.

I plan on replacing the end caps at the same time. I figure it couldn't hurt and may be needed after this.

I will call Monday and thanks for posting. This is why I support ReefCentral!
 
I received your ballast today and indeed it is history. No magic wand can put this back in working order. It looks like what happened was a high voltage power supply capacitor gave way and ruptured leaking oil into a hot energized ballast. It severely damaged the circuit board beyond repair.
The ballast however was not that old. It is only about 1 year past warranty.
This type of failure is highly unusual and definitely not the norm.

I am going to replace this ballast with a new one since it is not that old and I was unable to repair it. It will of course come with a new 3 year warranty. Sorry for the inconvenience and the scare it gave you. Will ship the replacement today.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7585573#post7585573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smcdonn
Looks like IceCap has the customer service thing down.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! I had ballast go bad a few years ago. from the day I sent it in, got the repairs, and got it back in my hands with 10 days!!!!

I have also spoken to them on the phone a few times....I have to say that IceCap has to be #1 in the business for product, and customer support! They are always on top of things! Way to go IceCap....you may not give yourselves a pat on the back! :D
 
"It is only about 1 year past warranty."

Man .... this is why i'm going icecap for any future ballast i buy.... no question about it!

I have over a 10 year old 660 i use and love it !!!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7637226#post7637226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gobygoby
...you may not give yourselves a pat on the back! :D
Click to expand...


:eek2: ooooooooooooops....

I ment to say....

...you may now give yourselves a pat on the back! :D
 
All I can say is WOW! With the amount of post that goes on Reef Central and the quick response/resoulution IceCap earned a customer. I'm in the process of upgrading my lighting and after reading this IceCap ballasts will be part of my new system.

Chris
 
WOW :eek2:

Talk about a scare ! Also lets talk about customer service ! I have never owned an icecap ballast , but when it is time to replace my current ballasts , I will definitely go with icecap !


Hats off to ya ! I have never seen that kind of customer service !
 
Only giving him a new ballast? I think a good customer service rep would throw in a cold beer and a clean pair of shorts too:D
 
A ballast catching on fire is a serious deal. I agree with the grim reefer. A cold beer and a clean pair of shorts is a must. :)
 
YES WAY TO GO ICE CAP i bought 5 250w MH from them never buy anything else i love you guys way to be the best and always on top of everything with top notch customer service thats why i only buy from you all. you have a life long customer. that makes my day better already knowing someone is happy as much as im always. once again WAY TO GO ICE CAP!!!
 
I had the same thing happen to my icecap660.Luckily I was at home when it happened and was able to unplug it and run it outside before actual flames started.It scared the crap out of me!I contacted icecap and that happily replaced it.I never had any more problem out of it.If I remember it was out of warranty and they still stood behind it.Good company.
 
ive been using ice caps for 8 years [same 2 ballast] now with the halides they sit man my hamilton,s get very hot

man what great service from those guys.

insurancefish glad nothing burned up
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7656521#post7656521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wds21921
A+ on the customer service but there sure are a lot of stories about bad ballasts....
Click to expand...


well...with mine it just quit working....no fire. that was 2-3 years ago and still running strong. icecap ballasts are electronic and therefore the parts are a little sensitive.

look at it this way, at least they can be fixed.....other ballasts you would just have to pitch in the trash.

Goby
 
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