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Diagnosing an icecap 660

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Bela, Sep 23, 2010.

  1. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    So my icecap 660 (model with heat sink) that I bought used doesn't seem to be firing up. I think I am doing everything right. I checked and double checked and triple checked the wiring. That is all correct. I am trying to fire 4x 54 watt T5 bulbs. When everything is wired correctly, all I should have to do is plug it in, correct? Is there any way to diagnose a bad ballast?
    Here is the wiring diagram, I used. Seems pretty straight forward.  http://www.icecapinc.com/01/completed%20manual.pdf
    I am reading to try and wire for two, make sure everything works, then for 3, then for 4. Will try that and check back here in a bit.
     
  2. rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Most likely it's one of two things if everything is wired correct....
    1) The ballast burnt out which they will repair easily, you could also check the fuse
    2) if one bulb is bad the bulbs will turn on and go off just as quick
     
  3. rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Also, I'm pretty sure when running T5's you have to run 4
    I guess I'm wrong on that...thought years ago the IceCap Tech told me they had problems when running less....sorry
     
  4. jwess

    jwess

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    Sounds about right. Make sure you have all four bulbs in good working order. I had a similar problem a while back but found that it was due to one bad bulb.
    Josh
     
  5. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    Ah, didn't know I NEEDED to have 4 T5 bulbs. I rewired for 2 bulb setup, but it didn't do anything. Sounds like it wouldn't have anyway if 4 are required. What would a bad fuse look like? I am able to take the fuse out, but I am not at all sure what I am looking for.
     
  6. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    Didn't see that you said you were wrong about running fewer than 4. So running two SHOULD work for me then? Because it isn't /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/sad.gif
     
  7. rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Well Bela I'm almost certain I was told that about T5's on the 660...but after reading the diagram you posted it appears you can run less when wired correctly. The fuse should be on the left or right side, probably looks like a grey plug with a slot, the fuse should be inside there.

    I do KNOW that when you have a bulb that is bad the rest will not work, are they turning on at all?
     
  8. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    I had a problem with mine...turned out the connector between the ballast and the bulbs (the plastic connector that allows you to disconnect the ballast) was not seated good. I'm sure you already checked that, but for me, I checked the obvious last...

    --AJ
     
  9. phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Riverside
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    I had problems doing mine.......after seeing I had wired it all correctly for the number of bulbs I wanted to run (4) I found out I had 2 sets of the wrong endcap (2 were one kind, other 2 a different type). All the bulbs I had fit just the one type. I had 2 used DIY kits and was trying to combine them.......anyhow, just two of the bulbs would light for just a second then go off. Worked fine once I replaced the two different type of endcaps. Hope you get it figured out; it can be very frustrating!
     
  10. mcclandy

    mcclandy

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    i have also seen older ice cap 660's are not set up to drive t5 lamps; and no more than 4 t5 lamps. Have you checked out the ice cap forums on reefcentral? Or even asked ice cap? End caps should not make any difference if they are paired up and electrically sound. just my two cents
     
  11. rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Posted By Bela on 09/23/2010 07:01 PM
    Ah, didn't know I NEEDED to have 4 T5 bulbs. I rewired for 2 bulb setup, but it didn't do anything. Sounds like it wouldn't have anyway if 4 are required. What would a bad fuse look like? I am able to take the fuse out, but I am not at all sure what I am looking for.
    Sorry I didn't see that you have the fuse out,  you should see a metal strip or spring from end to end, if it's blown that should be broke
     
  12. phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Riverside
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    It does make a difference!  There are at least 2 different types of sockets/endcaps for T5's and all bulbs do not work in both types........
     
  13. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    Well, I have the icecap waterproof T5 end caps (the white ones with the orange rubber). I am pretty sure those are the proper ones. They are all the same. The fuse looks good to me. Just looks like a metal wire going from one end of the glass tube to the other. I have messed with the connections until my brain hurt. They seem to be good. The bulbs I had were all used, but I trust they were all in order. I got them from a member here (Slovan) who said they were all 3-6 months old. I have 7 bulbs I could interchange, so unless 4+ of those 7 were bad, I should have at least gotten one combo right. The bulbs don't seem to flicker on or do anything at all. I simply plug the ballast in and nothing happens. If the ballast were blown, is there any way to tell other than it not working? I should also add that this icecap is a 2008 model. It isn't really "older" I just meant to say that it is not the "new" heatsink free ballast that is currently on the market. The bulbs I am using are Geisman's and ATI's. I have 4 Geismans and 3 ATI's that I have tried in I think every combo imaginable.
     
  14. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    I started a thread on RC on the IceCap forums in case anyone is interested in following along. If this thing doesn't help, I will be looking to buy another (or at least something to light 4x t5s... it's a fish only so I don't NEED to overdrive the bulbs) I am not sure sending it out for repair would be worth the money as I am seeing numbers like $70 plus shipping.

    http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17696791#post17696791
     
  15. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    It may be time to see if anyone has a working 660 laying around that you can borrow for testing purposes and try that.

    --AJ
     
  16. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    So I haven't touched it at all, but decided to plug it in again just for the hell of it. It was still in the two bulb configuration and it worked. Leaving it burning that way for a couple hours just to make sure it doesn't turn off. Will rewire for 4 bulb later tonight and mess around there. Not sure what the deal is/was...
     
  17. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    Well, not sure what the deal was, but it is working now. I assume somehow it was a loose connection someplace, although I can;t really figure out how letting it sit for a day would have made a difference.

    Now to play with colors /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/biggrin.gif
     
  18. rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Glad to hear the bug worked itself out, so what bulbs are you trying?
     
  19. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    I neded up going with 2x actinic+ and 2x fiji purple. I am in LOVE with the color of that combo. If/when I get back into corals it is going to be tough going with anything else. Right now all I have is clowns in that ginat tank, but they look 10x more beautiful than they ever did under an actinic and 1000K PC combo.
     

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