Can't get VHO retrofit to light - please help id problem

johara · 03/21/2006, 10:51 PM

I purchased a VHO retrofit kit from Marine Depot and am having trouble getting it properly installed and wondered if anyone else has any tips. The ballast is an Icecap 440 and comes with a wiring harness that just plugs in. The 3 piece German endcaps are different from others I've seen in that the end piece has two grooves the lamp pins slip straight into, so the lamp does not rotate to "click in". It is thus somewhat difficult to hold the endpiece in place while screwing in the other two pieces of the endcap without allowing the pins to slip out. After many tries and some extra hands to assist I have them in as well as I can, but still the lamps do not light. I do not know if they are still not sitting 100% correctly or if there is another problem.

I have double checked the wiring and the connections and all seems to be correct. I do not yet have the endcaps mounted into the canopy as I wanted to make sure all was working first. I don't know if that would make any difference. I am also assuming that the two blue wires from the ballast harness are interchangeable, as are the two red and yellow as I don't see anything on the wiring diagram to help me distinguish between the two wires of the same color and there are no instructions sent with the kit.

If anyone has done this installation recently and has any suggestions I would be very appreciative!

just dave · 03/22/2006, 12:42 AM

When you plug it in do any of the lights come on for a second?

johara · 03/22/2006, 10:38 AM

No, no response at all. The ballast does not get warm.

I went to Ice Cap's webpage and did what they call the continuity test, it seemed to do what it was supposed to indicating that the connections are all working appropriately, though I have no idea how to really interpret the readings - I just know the needle flew up at all the appropriate times:-). That would seem to indicate a ballast problem according to them. I'll call them later and make sure I did it right.

Entropy · 03/22/2006, 10:41 AM

My guess is the bulbs are not seated correctly. Can you shoot a pic of the endcaps?

Fish_Freek · 03/22/2006, 05:30 PM

I agree. I'll bet one or more of the bulbs are not seated properly. Double check and let us know.

johara · 03/22/2006, 09:43 PM

I took all the end caps off and re-seated them, no change. What did you want to see in a picture? The endcaps off the bulb or how they look mounted? Here's a pic of the endcaps dismantled.

spitefull · 03/24/2006, 10:28 PM

any luck yet? if no try refiguring the lights to a 2 bulb system ice cap has many possibilities,when in doubt try going to regular tombstone sockets and see if that helps. ive got 2 icecaps cause my first one went after 3 months and i couldnt wait the turn around time on repair so ive got a spare, bummer

bassnman11 · 03/24/2006, 10:55 PM

Are you running two wires to each socket, one to each side of the bulb. Some lamp holders are internally connected, but some require you to run a jumper from one pin to the other. You can use a continuity tester on the holder to see if both sides are connected internally.

johara · 03/27/2006, 10:45 PM

I finally was able to borrow a friend's Icecap 430 ballast. The lights fired up just fine when I swapped out ballasts, so I guess the wiring and endcap placement was fine after all. I'll call MD about replacing the defective ballast. Thanks for everyone's input!

03/21/2006, 10:51 PM	#1
johara Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: alameda, sf bay area Posts: 542	Can't get VHO retrofit to light - please help id problem I purchased a VHO retrofit kit from Marine Depot and am having trouble getting it properly installed and wondered if anyone else has any tips. The ballast is an Icecap 440 and comes with a wiring harness that just plugs in. The 3 piece German endcaps are different from others I've seen in that the end piece has two grooves the lamp pins slip straight into, so the lamp does not rotate to "click in". It is thus somewhat difficult to hold the endpiece in place while screwing in the other two pieces of the endcap without allowing the pins to slip out. After many tries and some extra hands to assist I have them in as well as I can, but still the lamps do not light. I do not know if they are still not sitting 100% correctly or if there is another problem. I have double checked the wiring and the connections and all seems to be correct. I do not yet have the endcaps mounted into the canopy as I wanted to make sure all was working first. I don't know if that would make any difference. I am also assuming that the two blue wires from the ballast harness are interchangeable, as are the two red and yellow as I don't see anything on the wiring diagram to help me distinguish between the two wires of the same color and there are no instructions sent with the kit. If anyone has done this installation recently and has any suggestions I would be very appreciative!

03/22/2006, 10:41 AM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	My guess is the bulbs are not seated correctly. Can you shoot a pic of the endcaps? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/22/2006, 05:30 PM	#5
Fish_Freek Cheese Head Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kimberly, WI Posts: 386	I agree. I'll bet one or more of the bulbs are not seated properly. Double check and let us know. __________________ ~~ Bob ~~ Current Tank Info: 75g reef tank, octoHB2000 HOB skimmer, 2x EG D120 Led black boxes

03/22/2006, 12:42 AM	#2
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	When you plug it in do any of the lights come on for a second?

03/22/2006, 10:38 AM	#3
johara Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: alameda, sf bay area Posts: 542	No, no response at all. The ballast does not get warm. I went to Ice Cap's webpage and did what they call the continuity test, it seemed to do what it was supposed to indicating that the connections are all working appropriately, though I have no idea how to really interpret the readings - I just know the needle flew up at all the appropriate times:-). That would seem to indicate a ballast problem according to them. I'll call them later and make sure I did it right.

03/22/2006, 09:43 PM	#6
johara Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: alameda, sf bay area Posts: 542	I took all the end caps off and re-seated them, no change. What did you want to see in a picture? The endcaps off the bulb or how they look mounted? Here's a pic of the endcaps dismantled.

03/24/2006, 10:28 PM	#7
spitefull Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: west coast/canada Posts: 93	any luck yet? if no try refiguring the lights to a 2 bulb system ice cap has many possibilities,when in doubt try going to regular tombstone sockets and see if that helps. ive got 2 icecaps cause my first one went after 3 months and i couldnt wait the turn around time on repair so ive got a spare, bummer

03/24/2006, 10:55 PM	#8
bassnman11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Corona Ca. Posts: 674	Are you running two wires to each socket, one to each side of the bulb. Some lamp holders are internally connected, but some require you to run a jumper from one pin to the other. You can use a continuity tester on the holder to see if both sides are connected internally.

03/27/2006, 10:45 PM	#9
johara Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: alameda, sf bay area Posts: 542	I finally was able to borrow a friend's Icecap 430 ballast. The lights fired up just fine when I swapped out ballasts, so I guess the wiring and endcap placement was fine after all. I'll call MD about replacing the defective ballast. Thanks for everyone's input!