IceCap 660 ballast is shooting sparks

RobbyVonAwesome · 02/18/2010, 03:49 PM

Let me preface my story with this: I am not trying to badmouth Ice Cap. They make wonderful, durable products and I will continue to use their ballasts in the future. I recommend Ice Cap products to everyone because they are the Gold Stadard for quality in the industry. Which is why story is so surprising.

I have an Aquactinics Solar Flare over my 120 rimless reef. It is suspended from the ceiling.

Was sitting on my couch yesterday watching TV when my I heard a series of pops like small firecrackers and my lights flickered rapidly and 4 of my bulbs went dark. It was so loud and scared me so bad I almost peed my pants a little.

After the short, the ballast turned itself off (one reason I recommend IC ballasts). I jumped off the couch and cut the power. I turned the power back on and the same thing happened. I proceded to take the fixture apart and blew all the dust off the inside, cleaned it up, and tried again. Same thing happened, only this time I could see sparks shooting out of the ballast where the wiring harness plugs in.

I've removed the ballast from the fixture. There's something heavy rattling around inside. It's not under warranty because I bought it used. I was already planning on upgrading to metal halide, so I think I'm going to get a new fixture rather than replace this ballast. (BTW, I plan on running IC ballasts on the new setup).

I'm going to take the cover off the ballast tonight and snap some pictures of the damage.

Has this happened to anyone else?

luther1200 · 02/18/2010, 05:23 PM

FWIW, After the loud explosion I don't think I would have continued to try and plug it in. It could have been very dangerous.

RobbyVonAwesome · 02/18/2010, 06:11 PM

Yeah, in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done that.

02/18/2010, 03:49 PM	#1
RobbyVonAwesome Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 394	IceCap 660 ballast is shooting sparks Let me preface my story with this: I am not trying to badmouth Ice Cap. They make wonderful, durable products and I will continue to use their ballasts in the future. I recommend Ice Cap products to everyone because they are the Gold Stadard for quality in the industry. Which is why story is so surprising. I have an Aquactinics Solar Flare over my 120 rimless reef. It is suspended from the ceiling. Was sitting on my couch yesterday watching TV when my I heard a series of pops like small firecrackers and my lights flickered rapidly and 4 of my bulbs went dark. It was so loud and scared me so bad I almost peed my pants a little. After the short, the ballast turned itself off (one reason I recommend IC ballasts). I jumped off the couch and cut the power. I turned the power back on and the same thing happened. I proceded to take the fixture apart and blew all the dust off the inside, cleaned it up, and tried again. Same thing happened, only this time I could see sparks shooting out of the ballast where the wiring harness plugs in. I've removed the ballast from the fixture. There's something heavy rattling around inside. It's not under warranty because I bought it used. I was already planning on upgrading to metal halide, so I think I'm going to get a new fixture rather than replace this ballast. (BTW, I plan on running IC ballasts on the new setup). I'm going to take the cover off the ballast tonight and snap some pictures of the damage. Has this happened to anyone else?

02/18/2010, 05:23 PM	#2
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	FWIW, After the loud explosion I don't think I would have continued to try and plug it in. It could have been very dangerous. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

02/18/2010, 06:11 PM	#3
RobbyVonAwesome Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 394	Yeah, in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done that.