icecap mod for my t-5 lighting

[duke62]

alright so i want to do the icecap mod for my light setup.i wanted to do this for sometime.now im usually the handiman that does everything myself and people have explained it to me but i just do not trust my craftmanship with electric.if someone who has done this modification is willing to come help me out i will be very appreciative.i will pay or give a zoa frag if u are interested.anyone willing to help just LMK when and i will order the icecap..thanks .....james

 

[JJSBLM]

If i understand correctly

You want to wire in an ice cap ballast instead of what you have now?

It's really not that difficult. if you can install a light switch in your house you can do the ballast swap out. All you would need is a few wire nuts, a wire stripper & some black electrical tape. You have my number, call if you have any problems or questions

 

[DevIouS]

Is the wiring the same as the VHO configuration?

 

[KathyC]

Duke...the wiring diagram that you need is right on the Icecap 660 ballast (also on their website if you want to look at it before you have it). I did mine myself..not hard if you follow the diagram

 

[ming]

Is the wiring the same as the VHO configuration?

Yup

 

[DevIouS]

Yup

Oh...Cool.

Thanks.

 

[ming]

Oh...Cool.

Thanks.

I suppose I should also mention, with T5's, it may light the same amount of bulbs or less even though the wiring is the same.
For example,
660 can light max of 3x5' or 4x4'
430 can light max of 2x5' or 2x4'...I don't think the 430 can handle more then 2 T5 bulbs

 

[NYreefNoob]

the 430 will only light 2 3' t5's

 

[pecan2phat]

Rick,

I have a few 430's lighting up two 4-footers. It can do a max of 12 ft combined. I'm also think that it can do more then 2-bulb configurations.
Someone go look at their Ice Cap :lol2:

 

[masterswimmer]

660 will light a max of 16 linear feet of bulbs

430 will light a max of 8 linear feet of bulbs

The 430 seems to be questioned here. You can light four 2' bulbs on a 430

Russ

 

[KathyC]

Wiring diagram for the 660

One ballast can operate any combination, up to 4 lamps, with a total not exceeding 440 Watts.

http://www.icecapinc.com/01/document2.pdf


Wiring diagram for the 430

One ballast can operate any combination, up to 4 lamps, with a total not exceeding 330 Watts.

http://www.icecapinc.com/01/icecap%20430%20revised%20wiring%204%2029%202008.pdf

 

[duke62]

thanks all.i have 4 36" t-5 bulbs so 660 is what im going to use..i guess i will try to wire it myself..i will still be able to switch cycles with the new ballast correct.it wont be all 4 bulbs on at 1 time as long as i have the timers.?

 

[KathyC]

If all of the bulbs are running off the same ballast I don't think you have a choice of what to turn on or off..they will run as a group.

You can always send that question to Iceap - they answer fairly quickly

 

[noodleman]

all 4 bulbs will be on at once since you only have 1 ballast :idea:

 

[duke62]

then i will go with 2 430s

 

[KathyC]

What are you looking to mod...a 4 bulb fixture or a retro kit?

 

[ming]

660 will light a max of 16 linear feet of bulbs

430 will light a max of 8 linear feet of bulbs

The 430 seems to be questioned here. You can light four 2' bulbs on a 430

Russ

Russ,
For traditional VHO's, yes, you can light four 2' bulbs on a 430, but for T5's, you can light a max of 2 bulbs on a 430

Directly from IceCap
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1592397

 

[duke62]

4 bulb fixture

 

[masterswimmer]

Russ,
For traditional VHO's, yes, you can light four 2' bulbs on a 430, but for T5's, you can light a max of 2 bulbs on a 430

Directly from IceCap
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1592397

Ming, yes you are correct. The RC post is right. T5's are a different animal. My direction is for VHO, PC's and anything but T5's. :banghead:

 

[Robbies Reef]

i id this myself, its not that hard. id help you if i was closer.