Problem with IceCap 660 Ballast...I think

[Backinthegame]

Looking for your opinions on a possible faulty 660 ballast. Seems that the bulbs fire for a second then die. Ballast is aprox. 1.5years old. Help a brother out? What could be the issue? The T-5 bulbs are due for change, but i'm not sure thats the issue.

Speak to me!

 

[jubjub]

just giving possible trouble shooting idea's here since im a MH guy


imo first things i'd try if you have 2 ballasts take one of the bulbs you know are good from there put it in the one you think is faulty if it flickers or shuts off its probably the ballast.

sure its not the wiring harness itself?

correct me if im wrong i didnt think T5 bulbs just go on and die like that, thought they just slowly lose par and get dimmer and dimmer until they just flat out die not this fire and then dead stuff?

see if that helps but its ps3 time wooohooo

 

[marioensf]

Try swapping bulbs, being that old one or two might be giving you the problem.

 

[B-Willz]

I would think its the bulbs as well. Try to find some one close by with a 660 that you can try out.

 

[iriejp1]

Bring your bulbs over dog...I gotta 660 on mine.

 

[Backinthegame]

just giving possible trouble shooting idea's here since im a MH guy


imo first things i'd try if you have 2 ballasts take one of the bulbs you know are good from there put it in the one you think is faulty if it flickers or shuts off its probably the ballast.

sure its not the wiring harness itself?

correct me if im wrong i didnt think T5 bulbs just go on and die like that, thought they just slowly lose par and get dimmer and dimmer until they just flat out die not this fire and then dead stuff?

see if that helps but its ps3 time wooohooo

\
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lol...ps3 time!!! LOL

Thanks!

 

[Backinthegame]

Thanks for the ideas guys.....The t-5s are just for actinic supplement.

JP - I might stroll by tonight. I'll call first. You've got 60" bulbs, right?

 

[marioensf]

I had the issue of an IceCap shutting off; one of the bulbs would come on for less than a second then the ballast due to its protective circuitry shuts off to prevent any damage; one of the bulbs seems to have had a bad filament on one of the ends thus causing it to fire the bulb for an instant; I tested the bulb on a regular t5 ballast and same thing I could see a spark on one of the ends. Replaced the bulb and ballast fires right away. Faulty bulb to me.

 

[Backinthegame]

I had the issue of an IceCap shutting off; one of the bulbs would come on for less than a second then the ballast due to its protective circuitry shuts off to prevent any damage; one of the bulbs seems to have had a bad filament on one of the ends thus causing it to fire the bulb for an instant; I tested the bulb on a regular t5 ballast and same thing I could see a spark on one of the ends. Replaced the bulb and ballast fires right away. Faulty bulb to me.

Cool! Thanks Mario! Looks like it's time for new Giesmanns.....and Radiums..does it ever end????:rollface:

 

[marioensf]

...it ends when you find another money pit !!!

 

[iriejp1]

Thanks for the ideas guys.....The t-5s are just for actinic supplement.

JP - I might stroll by tonight. I'll call first. You've got 60" bulbs, right?

Yep. Come through!

 

[Backinthegame]

...it ends when you find another money pit !!!

lol :lol: True...so true!

 

[FishGuy5]

Did you get this fixed, Kevin?

 

[Backinthegame]

John,

Yep, I found that one of the bulbs (the one that I can't reach without removing the canopy) broke off at the endcap. I think I'm going back to VHO's instead of t-5s. Just need to use wood blocks to mount them correctly under the halides. Thanks for checking Bro!

 

[shaneh]

i just had this same problem and took my whoe canopy off my tank and checked every wire connection only to find that is was a bad buld. I also found that when you mix diffrent wattage bulbs on a 660 they burn out faster.

EX: I run my 160 VHO on the back and 2 t5's on the fron on the 660 and the t5's burn out 2 times faster than the VHO. I belive this is due to overdriving the bulbs.

Hope someone finds this that is looking for the same info, i was stressing bad for a few hours.

 

[Backinthegame]

I hear ya Shane!

 

[fishnerd]

Hey Kevin

I have some plastic stands for the VHO it should clear your luminarcs LMK if you want them. ps update your build thread

Bryan

 

[Backinthegame]

OK,OK! Bryan, coming through in the clutch! I'll hit you up to get those. Thanks!

I will update the build thread as soon as I get a good camera. Need some shelf rock too. gotta change up the aquascape as I'm not feeling that I'm getting the most out of the space provided (I'm tired of the Wall look).