IceCap 660 Help (1 Viewer)

[Brad]

I have two 660's running five 5' T5s. One 660 runs 3 lamps and the other runs 2 lamps. Today I noticed the 660 running the three lamps turns on and then immediately turns off. I tried this several times and it turns on then off immediately each time. The 660 running the two lamps works fine.

I switched ballasts and the ballast that was working fine on the 2 lamps is now hooked up to the 3 lamps. That section now turns on and again immediately turns off. The 2 lamp ballast (which was on the 3 lamp and turning off) works fine.

I think this tells me its not a ballast problem but a problem somewhere with the 3 lamps section. The lamps are only 3 months old and have been working fine so far.

Any thoughts on what the problem likely is? Is it more likely be be a lamp, wiring, or something else?

 

[cstewart79]

I obviously is not a ballast problem. It could be in the wiring harness itself its likely not happy with the return wires.

 

[ShaneV]

Id check all the wiring going into each endcap, sounds like one might be loose.

 

[Guest]

Is it possible you are exceeding the maximum wattage allowed? I'm not that familiar with T5 but I know on VHO that you cannot use a combination that exceeds 430 watts.

 

[nemo713]

it is the wiring, i had the same problem with mine and i had to rewire now working fine

 

[tas5tas]

Is it possible you are exceeding the maximum wattage allowed? I'm not that familiar with T5 but I know on VHO that you cannot use a combination that exceeds 430 watts.

You can run up to 16ft of bulbs or 440 watts on a 660. I say check your endcaps.....I had the same problem about a month ago after remounting my VHO's one wasn't properly seated. I have a 660 as well, so I can help you with any questions.

 

[FISHSTICK]

+1 on the loose connection. I had the same problem before.

 

[AquaNerd]

check the bulbs. i had the same problem with a brand new bulb. turned out it was bad. swap out the bulbs and see what happens.

 

[CBBSteve]

Hi, Brad.
Make sure your wiring is exactly like the diagrams for the 660, mine was doing the same thing exactly when I had it wired wrong. You can get the wiring diagram online at

http://icecapinc.com/01/document2.pdf

Good luck,
Steve

 

[Brad]

it has been wired and running for over 2 years so its not the wiring design. I checked all the connections (pulled them out and reconnected them) tonight and that is not the problem. I guess I'm off to swap out bulbs and see if that is it.

 

[Brad]

Well I disconnected and reconnected all the lead wires into the endcaps for a third time last night and I guess third time was the charm. The lights stayed on. Hopefully when I get home this evening they will still be on and my problem solved.

 

[hank]

Well I disconnected and reconnected all the lead wires into the endcaps for a third time last night and I guess third time was the charm. The lights stayed on. Hopefully when I get home this evening they will still be on and my problem solved.

Should be, I have had this situation 4 different service tanks- its never been anything but endcaps.