lights turn off immediately?

[MacDime]

I just bought a used custom T12 fixture today. It has 4x160W actinic bulbs. 2 ice cap 660 VHO ballast. The problem is: When I plug the lights on, they turn on for a brief second and then quickly turn off. Anyone have an idea what the trouble is?

 

[theatrus]

Check ALL the connections and bulb seating. If one of the bulbs doesn't flash that may help narrow your search.

The instant shutdown is the ballast protection circuit kicking in.

 

[yukimika]

can you try just running one bulb at a time in each position?

 

[MacDime]

can you try just running one bulb at a time in each position?

tried it and it still flashes with just one in any position

 

[MacDime]

Check ALL the connections and bulb seating. If one of the bulbs doesn't flash that may help narrow your search.

The instant shutdown is the ballast protection circuit kicking in.

they all flash :/

 

[Sounds Fishy]

I just bought a used custom T12 fixture today. It has 4x160W actinic bulbs. 2 ice cap 660 VHO ballast. The problem is: When I plug the lights on, they turn on for a brief second and then quickly turn off. Anyone have an idea what the trouble is?

How old is this fixture.if it is used,what condition are the end caps in.If you are not getting a good connection where the bulbs seat on the end caps it may trigger an end of life response from the ballast.Another thing to check is the condition of your ballasts.There are failures that happen with Ice Cap ballasts and I think Coral Vue will rebuild you're existing units if required.

 

[MacDime]

How old is this fixture.if it is used,what condition are the end caps in.If you are not getting a good connection where the bulbs seat on the end caps it may trigger an end of life response from the ballast.Another thing to check is the condition of your ballasts.There are failures that happen with Ice Cap ballasts and I think Coral Vue will rebuild you're existing units if required.

the ballast looks to be in good shape but I opened the fixture last night and found writing that says 11-2-99. So im guessing this fixture is atleast 15 years old. Im going to buy some wire today and re-wire the fixture. Also take the caps off to inspect/clean the sockets.

 

[theatrus]

Wiring doesn't go bad for the most part, the problems stem from the connectors. This includes wire to end cap and endcap to bulb. I'd clean those out (alcohol swab, let it dry out). It's curious that both ballasts are doing this, that's just bad luck.

 

[MacDime]

so check and clean the bulb connections first? will do

 

[MacDime]

I have question too, If i wanted to convert this 4 bulb T12 to a 8 Bulb T5. Would that be doable? New wires, caps, and bulbs?

 

[Sounds Fishy]

An Ice Cap 660Vue ballast can be made to run ,T5 bulbs up to 440 watts,total.That is roughly 8. ,54 watt T5 lamps.That is the newer model ballast Ice Cap.You will need different end caps ,too.There are other options as well.However given the age of your ballasts they are the prior model before Coral Vue distributed them.They are similar and called Ice Cap 660.As I said earlier,if they don't work,send it to Coral Vue and for a token amount they will fix them.It is not uncommon for them to go kaput after a number of years,for that series.you can post a thread in the Sponsor section to Chris @ Coral Vue ,if you need help.

 

[theatrus]

My 660 popped both of its mains filter caps a year ago. It was easy to diagnose as the electrolyte was leaking out of the case

 

[E Rosewater]

T5s will do this if the wiring is connected backwards to the ballast.

 

[drivingmyself]

Probably a bad ballast, I see it a lot with normal lights and replacing the ballast normally fixes the problem. As a temporary solution you can try plugging it in and out a bunch of times, sometimes it will finally stay on. Really no good for an aquarium though that you most likely want on a timer.