IceCap 660 wiring question

[malulu]

I have an IceCap 660, and I also have T5-39W x 8, i check the information on the IceCap website http://www.icecapinc.com/document2.pdf, it said IceCap-660 only support 4 lamps wiring, and must be less than 400watts.

is it possible that i can connect them as this?

+===============================(BROWN)========+
| |
+------T5/39W-------T5/39W------(RED)-------********
| * *
+------T5/39W-------T5/39W------(YELLOW)----* *
* 660 *
+------T5/39W-------T5/39W------(ORANGE)----* *
| * *
+------T5/39W-------T5/39W------(BLUE)------********
| |
+===============================(PURPLE)=======+

the reason i want to do this is, the USACurrent Outer-Orbit 250W with 8xT5, don't seems as bright as the IceCap660 ballast i have before, and wanted to replace the ballast with the IceCap inside the housing, and trying to avoid to fit TWO IceCaps in it.

thanks in advance for the comments.

 

[RichT]

My guess is the ballast may be able to run the lamps but may not be able to fire more then 4 lamps regardless of the length/wattage. Again, just a guess. If it was me (and we all know I'm not the sharpest tack in the box) I'd wire it and test it. I would hope the ballast fuse would blow before anything serious happened. If it dosen't work, install the second ballast.

 

[malulu]

yes, if it not work, add another ballast... just worry about the heat...

 

[Edwardw771]

I've asked Ice Cap that question before and the answer is only 4 bulbs. But you can post in the Ice Cap Foram on RC or email them dirctly service@icecapinc.com

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=32

 

[malulu]

I did email IceCap... his standard answer is:

The max number of lamps that can be ran on a 660 ballast is 4 only.

Wiring diagram is http://www.icecapinc.com/document2.pdf

my guess is, IceCap won't promote any non-standard configurations to avoid any unnecessary support problem....

I do think it can be done, therefore trying to post here and to ask for the NJRC pros...
;D

 

[roadking05]

LOL, I'd never thought of it. did u already try this? I don't see why not.

 

[malulu]

I would most likely try it next week, would be a busy week for me (planned the vacation)... (re-aqualscape, treat redbug, re-wire T5...)

LOL, I'd never thought of it. did u already try this? I don't see why not.

 

[malulu]

so, with IceCap 660 with 8 x 39W T5, would that be overdrive? what is overdrive really mean?
thx

 

[Brian]

Dave, I'm pretty sure you can only fire 4 T5's off of the 660 no matter what the wattage of the bulbs are. Overdriving means exactly that, it will overdrive the output of the bulb. I know my 54 watt T5's are overdriven to about 80 watts on an Ice Cap 660.

 

[Edwardw771]

only 4 bulbs can be used.

 

[malulu]

i am going to connect the bulb with serial connection... how would the ballast know it was TWO in one, instead of just one...?

 

[JasonR]

i am going to connect the bulb with serial connection... how would the ballast know it was TWO in one, instead of just one...?

Maybe the resistance??

Jason

 

[Edwardw771]

I'm popping in Ice Cap tommorow I'll ask them.

 

[blange3]

i am going to connect the bulb with serial connection... how would the ballast know it was TWO in one, instead of just one...?

Because it is not a serial connection. Each end of the bulb is a set of electrodes that produces a flow of electrons that excites the mercury vapor causing it to release photons. It is not a wire connected betwwen bulbs creating a circuit.

 

[stcreef]

I would parallel the bulbs just like they do with pc bulbs.

 

[malulu]

i will try next week, and let you all know...
hopefully not burning the Current OuterOrbit fixture (it is only 3 months NEW).
;-)