ice cap 660 problem

saltysteven · 10/11/2007, 12:24 PM

hey just got a used 660 system with 4 vho bulbs included. It worked and them i accidently broke a bulb (old anyway) but i tried plugging it in and it sparked and blew the breaker. i looked at it in and out and i dont get it. it is still switching the breaker. will these lights run with only 3 bulbs???

kybreos · 10/11/2007, 12:37 PM

they will run anywhere from 1 to four bulbs but you have to change the wiring. goto there website for the diagram

SlowCobra · 10/11/2007, 12:41 PM

If you attempt to power up the 660 too many times with an incomplete circuit it has a failsafe device inside the blows to prevent unrepairable damage. Unfortunately you have to send it in for repair. We found out the hard way when a friend melted 2 nearly new 660's because of a bad bulb. No physical break and it ohmed out fine. You can find out more about this in the Ice Cap forum. In the meantime, as mentioned, if you want it to work with only 3 bulbs rewire it to the 3 bulb configuration.

ctreefer · 10/11/2007, 01:04 PM

Agreed, if one bulb in your 4 bulb system burns out the whole unit will not work. You need to replace the bulb for it to work again.

saltysteven · 10/11/2007, 01:19 PM

guys it sparks from socket when attempting to plug in. if i do it switches the breaker off. im try to plug it in without any bulbs attched. first i tried with 3 then i took the rest off and still sparks. drilled rivots out to look inside and nothing that i can tell was burnt. now im still lost on where my problem is so i cut off all of the wiring with end caps attached and plugged it in and it didnt spark. im not sure what to do next

saltysteven · 11/17/2007, 05:32 PM

bump

RandyStacyE · 11/18/2007, 12:09 AM

SlowCobra pretty much summed it up. One blown bulb is the same as no bulbs ... it's an incomplete circuit (from what it sounds like).

Icecaps forum is listed below. I'd ask them anyway to be sure. They are VERY helpful.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...?s=&forumid=32

I have two 660s and I know it will not run 3 bulbs when the 4th one is blown.

In the mean time you can simply rewire the end caps to allow the Icecap to run the 3 or just order a bulb and sit tight.

madreefer14 · 11/18/2007, 12:52 AM

If you have a reciept showing the orriginal date of purchase and its been less than 3 years they will repair it for free. you just pay shipping.

saltysteven · 11/19/2007, 11:11 AM

okay thanx im going to rewire it to see if it runs with 3 bulbs
if not im going to check the wiring with the wiring test ice cap provides, then ill send in for repair.

my only question now is if i have it set up for 4 bulbs and i take one out would the plug spark and blow my breaker when plugging it in?

i understand the lights might not work but would it spark in the socket and blow the breaker?

RandyStacyE · 11/19/2007, 01:23 PM

It shouldn't blow your breaker to my knowledge.

The Icecap will safely run a number of different configuration as shown in your ballast's instructions. It just has to be wired correctly to run in that configuration or it will not run at all.

Obviously make sure it's not plugged in at all while your fooling with the wiring. Make sure it's all set and then plug it in and try it.

I hope it works out for you and I hope it doesn't blow your flip your breaker.

saltysteven · 01/09/2008, 11:03 AM

i know this is old but as ctreefer stated if one goes they all go. after i replaced the 4th bulb the unit worked again. and the end caps have to be in the correct order like on the diagram.

so in case anyone else had the problem thats what worked for me.

10/11/2007, 12:24 PM	#1
saltysteven Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bethany, ct Posts: 851	ice cap 660 problem hey just got a used 660 system with 4 vho bulbs included. It worked and them i accidently broke a bulb (old anyway) but i tried plugging it in and it sparked and blew the breaker. i looked at it in and out and i dont get it. it is still switching the breaker. will these lights run with only 3 bulbs???

10/11/2007, 12:37 PM	#2
kybreos Snar snar Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pinellas, FL Posts: 929	they will run anywhere from 1 to four bulbs but you have to change the wiring. goto there website for the diagram __________________ Simplify, trust me... Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Reef, Apex, Simplicity 320 DC Skimmer, 3 Radions Gen2,1 mp40w, Jebao PP-20, 55g sump, Jebao DCP-15000

11/18/2007, 12:52 AM	#8
madreefer14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 345	If you have a reciept showing the orriginal date of purchase and its been less than 3 years they will repair it for free. you just pay shipping. __________________ And the corals sang praises unto me Shouting "You are my sunshine, my only sun shine."- me Current Tank Info: 55 gal reef tank filled 11/05/07 t5 lights w/2 actinic+, 1 10000k and 1 super actinic on 660 IC, 40 gal home made sump, 4000HH return pump and via aqua 388 skimmer w/ 1200gph CPR overflow, Koralia #4 PH. Tank to be mainly sps

10/11/2007, 12:41 PM	#3
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	If you attempt to power up the 660 too many times with an incomplete circuit it has a failsafe device inside the blows to prevent unrepairable damage. Unfortunately you have to send it in for repair. We found out the hard way when a friend melted 2 nearly new 660's because of a bad bulb. No physical break and it ohmed out fine. You can find out more about this in the Ice Cap forum. In the meantime, as mentioned, if you want it to work with only 3 bulbs rewire it to the 3 bulb configuration.

10/11/2007, 01:04 PM	#4
ctreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: southern CT Posts: 3,274	Agreed, if one bulb in your 4 bulb system burns out the whole unit will not work. You need to replace the bulb for it to work again.

10/11/2007, 01:19 PM	#5
saltysteven Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bethany, ct Posts: 851	guys it sparks from socket when attempting to plug in. if i do it switches the breaker off. im try to plug it in without any bulbs attched. first i tried with 3 then i took the rest off and still sparks. drilled rivots out to look inside and nothing that i can tell was burnt. now im still lost on where my problem is so i cut off all of the wiring with end caps attached and plugged it in and it didnt spark. im not sure what to do next

11/17/2007, 05:32 PM	#6
saltysteven Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bethany, ct Posts: 851	bump

11/18/2007, 12:09 AM	#7
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	SlowCobra pretty much summed it up. One blown bulb is the same as no bulbs ... it's an incomplete circuit (from what it sounds like). Icecaps forum is listed below. I'd ask them anyway to be sure. They are VERY helpful. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...?s=&forumid=32 I have two 660s and I know it will not run 3 bulbs when the 4th one is blown. In the mean time you can simply rewire the end caps to allow the Icecap to run the 3 or just order a bulb and sit tight.

11/19/2007, 11:11 AM	#9
saltysteven Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bethany, ct Posts: 851	okay thanx im going to rewire it to see if it runs with 3 bulbs if not im going to check the wiring with the wiring test ice cap provides, then ill send in for repair. my only question now is if i have it set up for 4 bulbs and i take one out would the plug spark and blow my breaker when plugging it in? i understand the lights might not work but would it spark in the socket and blow the breaker?

11/19/2007, 01:23 PM	#10
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	It shouldn't blow your breaker to my knowledge. The Icecap will safely run a number of different configuration as shown in your ballast's instructions. It just has to be wired correctly to run in that configuration or it will not run at all. Obviously make sure it's not plugged in at all while your fooling with the wiring. Make sure it's all set and then plug it in and try it. I hope it works out for you and I hope it doesn't blow your flip your breaker.

01/09/2008, 11:03 AM	#11
saltysteven Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bethany, ct Posts: 851	i know this is old but as ctreefer stated if one goes they all go. after i replaced the 4th bulb the unit worked again. and the end caps have to be in the correct order like on the diagram. so in case anyone else had the problem thats what worked for me.