? For Curt Concerning Icecap Ballasts

[cmhollis]

Curt,

I was just reading product descriptions on Marine Depot, and I noted that the DC4 and DC4HD have "not recommended for use with Icecap Ballasts".

Yet Thereefstop.com states that the DC4HD is suitable for use with Icecap ballasts.

Which is correct?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[clp]

We don't recommend that you use the DC4 w/ Icecap's VHO ballasts. Icecap's VHO ballast have very high inrush currents and may damage the relays on the DC4. The DC4HD uses larger relays and does not have this issue. The DC4HD will have no problem w/ icecaps ballasts.

Curt

 

[cmhollis]

So the DC4HD should be fine to power 440W of VHO on an Icecap 660, 2 - 250W MH's and 1 150W MH (MH's on a magnetic ballast)?

 

[clp]

You should be OK, but it looks like you are getting close to the 15 Amp current limit on the DC4HD mostly because the Icecap 660 ballasts have such a poor power factor.

The current break down is something like:

Icecap 660: 440/120 = 3.67 Amps - Adjust for power factor and eff. 3.67/.6/.9 = 6.79 Amps
2 MH 250s: ~3 Amps * 2 = 6 Amps.
1 MH 150: ~1.5 Amps

Total is ~14.3 Amps.

Curt