Icecap 430 with three VHO 4footers won't fire up, only blinks, then nothing!

[brackishdude]

I haven't used this ballast for about 3 yrs.

I'm guessing it's not the fuse since I do get an initial effort to light(in only one of the bulbs, all are new).

I previously used it for two 4 foot bulbs, so this is the first time trying it with 3 bulbs, so I don't know for sure if it ever could do it.

Three is the maximum number of 4 foot bulbs allowed for this model.

I've checked all of my connections, and I think it's all good.

Any thoughts?

[ricde]

It's built to fire only 2 bulbs. The 660 fires up to 4

[oldreefer76]

Originally Posted by ricde

It's built to fire only 2 bulbs. The 660 fires up to 4

Not true !!!

http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_...allast-ap.html

This should help with the wiring

[brackishdude]

see next post

[brackishdude]

Originally Posted by ricde

It's built to fire only 2 bulbs. The 660 fires up to 4

Not according to their website and my (waning) memory

Here is the link to the wiring diagrams including three bulbs

http://www.icecapinc.com/downloads/430wiringdiagram.pdf

and here are the specs showing max of 3 110v VHO bulbs

http://www.icecapinc.com/ballasts/43...tronic-ballast

Product Description
Along with the 660 model, IceCap fluorescent lamp ballasts have been the industry leader for nearly twenty years. Rugged, reliable, and efficient are just some of the many accolades for this category classic ballast. The 430 can drive all VHO, PC and T5HO lamps in any combination up to 4 lamps, with a total not exceeding 330 Watts. It is fully dimmable when driving VHO lamps, operates silently, and is fully repairable with a 3-year warranty. It is a high frequency solution for aquarium, industrial, UV, germicidal, and horticultural applications.
**please note: only 2 T5 lamps on a 430 ballast regardless of size or wattage**

and here are the trouble shooting suggestions for my situation

http://icecapinc.com/informationcenter/troubleshooting

Possible Cause Solution
Lamps not properly seated in endcaps
- Reseat lamps into endcaps
I have done this

Defective Lamps
- Replace questionable lamps
new bulbs, but I'll try others to double check. THe bulbs are "old", but never before used

Harness wired incorrectly for lamp configuration
- Double check that all connections match the wiring diagram for your lamp configuration
done

Improper endcaps in use
- Replace endcaps with correct end caps for your application
I have the right ones, and "German" at that!


Any other suggestions?


__________________
My Tank
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...d.php?t=109455

Current Tank Info: brackish 180gal

[ricde]

http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_...allast-ap.html

Type # of Lamps Total Lamp Length Configurations Max Wattage
T12 VHO and HO 2 12 FT Max. 2 x 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 Ft. 324W
T12 VHO and HO 3 12 FT Max. 3 x 4, 3, or 2 Ft. 255W
T12 VHO and HO 4 8 FT Max. 4 x 2 Ft. 220W
Reef Aquarium
Ballast Type Line Volts Voltage Fluctuation Input Watts Line Amps
SERIES 120 +/- 10% Lamp Dependent 3.4 Max

Sorry, I was referring to you running 3-110 watt VHO's. Should have clarified that

[brackishdude]

Originally Posted by ricde

Sorry, I was referring to you running 3-110 watt VHO's. Should have clarified that

NOw that's a humdinger, as it seems to contradict the more general statementt in the product description I linked/posted above. Hmm (dangit).

[brackishdude]

When I bought this ballast, one of the selling points offered by icecap was the ability to "get more light" (overdrive?) NO bulbs (regular 40 w bulbs).

Assuming that the above dexcribed limitation on wattage is accurate, would placing one NO bullb (of the three), thus sliding me in under the wattage limit, be expected to work?

I'll try it in the moring just to see. any bets on outcome?

I'm not a reefer, fish only brackish, and I could live with reduced light.

[ricde]

The wattage limit was always my understanding but after checking their site (your second link is dead) it is a little confusing. http://www.icecapinc.com/ballasts/fl...onic-ballast-1

You may want to ask and get a clarification on their sponsor forum

[brackishdude]

I have written an email to the customer service folks at Icecap and invited them to respond here. If not, I will relay their response to my email

Thanks

[saltydog64]

Originally Posted by brackishdude

When I bought this ballast, one of the selling points offered by icecap was the ability to "get more light" (overdrive?) NO bulbs (regular 40 w bulbs).

Assuming that the above dexcribed limitation on wattage is accurate, would placing one NO bullb (of the three), thus sliding me in under the wattage limit, be expected to work?

I'll try it in the moring just to see. any bets on outcome?

I'm not a reefer, fish only brackish, and I could live with reduced light.

bd..............hope it works as it seems with 3 VHO x 110 your pushing it. A couple of thoughts..........just because blubs are newk, one could be defective...hope not, and secondly is your fixture properly grounded...could cause issues...

I have one in and out of service for over 10 + years and problems have always gone back to the blub(s).

Your test while I hope it works might not be 100 % foolproof.......what if the one blub u sub for happens to be a "bad" one.....IMO

let us know....

[jimsplace]

When I have that problem it is usually because I haven't seated the bulb correctly in the end cap. Giving them a twist (click or 2) usually fixes it.

[gh0st]

As long as they are 4ft or less, they will run 3 VHO bulbs, but only two VHO T5 bulbs.

Sounds like a bad connection, a poorly seated bulb, or possibly a bad bulb.

Rewire the endcaps, check the wire for breaks, and make sure bulbs are seated correctly in the endcaps.

[billdogg]

And now for a been there, done that point of view...

If you are using the allowed # of bulbs, and they are wired correctly (you have checked that?) when an icecap ballast will fire up for about a second but then shut down it is an internal problem with the ballast, caused by incorrectly seated bulbs that were repeatedly turned on and off. Fortunately for you, Icecap has great customer service and a very fast turn around time. When I recently had the same problem (again - you'd think I'd learn, lol) I sent it to them on monday and had it back thursday.

[brackishdude]

Originally Posted by billdogg

And now for a been there, done that point of view...

If you are using the allowed # of bulbs, and they are wired correctly (you have checked that?) when an icecap ballast will fire up for about a second but then shut down it is an internal problem with the ballast, caused by incorrectly seated bulbs that were repeatedly turned on and off. Fortunately for you, Icecap has great customer service and a very fast turn around time. When I recently had the same problem (again - you'd think I'd learn, lol) I sent it to them on monday and had it back thursday.

Well, I didn't get a chance to check it this am before work, but I'll try tonight.

I'm faily sure they're wired correctly, though doubt sinks in when it's not in front of me. I'll check again.

I only tried to fire them up three times, getting the blinking light as described above. Hopefully that wasn't enough to cause a problem with ballast, assuming the problem is with poorly seated bulbs, which I will also double check beofre trying agian.

When your ballast gave out upon trying again and again with the blinking result, did it finally stop even doing that, or did it continue to blink?

Did they fill you in on what the resulting problem was with the ballast? I assume you're savy enough to have checked the fuse. . .

I'm long out of warranty, were you? If so, what was the charge to repair?

THey certainly have a great reputation for customer service. I still await return of my email, but I can forgive since day after TG. Most folks are luckier than me and have the day off!

Thanks

[stonecold]

Tagging along as I just experienced the same exact problem.

I have always had my IceCap 430 configured to run 3 - 4ft (46.5") VHO bulbs. For years, there have never been any issues. However, yesterday the lights were on and about an hour later it was completely off. I have checked for loose wires, possible salt creep, and potential fuse blown. Upon checking, everything seems to be in check. These are brand new bulbs that I just replaced back in August. Wondering what could cause the bulbs not to light? Do you think that the ballast may have gone bad? I have it for 5 years....

[saltydog64]

brackishdude .....what is the latest on your problem !!!!

[brackishdude]

I finally got around to troubleshooting. I've tried multiple old but unused VHO bulbs and newish NO bulbs. I've doulbe checked the connections and the wiring layout. Same result, BLink on, then off.

Here is a pick of my light rack, I'm pretty happy with it, but for the obvious problem of no light!







I'm getting frustrated!


Here is the response to my email to Icecap

We do not go by wattage. We go by total lamp length. For a 2 03 3 lamp set up max total lamp length can not exceed 12 feet. For a 4 lamp set up total lamp length can not exceed 8 feet.DaveIceCap Service Manager

[brackishdude]

THe icecap guys sent me to this page to instruct on continuity testin that went okay.

http://www.icecapinc.com/downloads/cont_test.pdf

I sent the ballast off in the mail for repair today. I'll update when it gets back.

[brackishdude]

I got it back about a week ago and fired it up tonight. Works great. I had asked ,when giving my billing info by phone, that they include a brief account of what had malfunctioned and the nature of the repair, but received nothing. Oh well, at least it works, even though it did cost me shipping to them and about 75$ for repair and return ship.

Thanks everyone!

[fishybudguy]

as stated above something i have had to do before is flip the bulb around and plug in that end....i think that is a continuity problem but i dont know ....just glad to here you got them working again good job
p.s. did i spell continuity right haha no spell check here

[tinyfish]

I have exactly the same experience. I am trying to fire 3 - T5 bulbs of 4' off an IceCap 430. I get the same blinking on and then off of two of the bulbs. I have checked my wiring and the bulb seating and the bulbs themselves which are new.

What throws me is that note at the bottom of their description, which no retailer has in their descriptions. I purchased this ballast new and the harness came with it.

I really don't feel like spending another $75 for repair. The darned thing should work or they should fix their description or something.

[sreefs]

IC 430 will only fire 2, T5's

[tinyfish]

I see that IceCap has changed its description since I purchased it and now it is clear that it will only fire 2 - T5 bulbs. How disappointing. I see no reason to spend that kind of money for 2 bulbs.

[cmm1970]

I have had the same issue with a 660. Worked fine for the longest time then the flicker on ignition thing. I sent the ballast in for diagnostics and learned that the ballast was fine.

Turned out that I had a short in the harness. Bought a new harness and rewired the canopy and it was REPAIRED!

I know rewiring sounds like a hassle, but these harnesses aren't too much trouble and I bet it will fix you right up and it will save you from sending your ballast in for no real reason.

Give it a try,
Mike