Icecap 660 Help

[mtellin]

I just today got an Icecap 660 and it was sent with 36" bulbs so I hooked up 3 of the 36" and after a few minor problems I got it up and running and it worked/looked great. However since my tank is 48" long I decided to rewire it for 4 bulbs and 48" long. Since then I have not gotten it to work whatsoever at first it dimly lit one of the tubes for about a second and after that it started blowing fuses. Ive blown 4 fuses now and since they are 5.00 a piece I decided to see if anyone else has had or knows about this problem

Also it sparks when I plug it in which bothers me but I saw a post on reefcentral from a guy that said his does the same thing so its maybe normal? Any help would be appreciated since Im pretty bummed that I had to go back to my NO lighting now

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[mtellin]

Also wanted to add, the original fuse was a buss 250 v model number MDL7 and I replaced it with a 250 v model MDL7A anyone know what that A stands for? just amp im hoping

otherwise looks like the exact same fuse.

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

Check your wire diagramICE CAP Wire Diagram for 4 bulbs on a 660 Also check for shorts i.e. nicks in the wires and make sure it all stays dry. One other thing make sure it's grounded (test your ground). If all else fails contact IceCap or an electrician.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree! Triple check your wiring. If it's still not OK contact IceCap and they will talk you through it.

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

One other thing I just thought of, make sure you have VHO bulbs.

 

[mtellin]

Never did figure out the problem, checked the wiring of it for prob 30 mins, think I had a bad bulb and it shorted it out. Sent it in yesterday so hopefully it will be an easy fix, just wish it woulda been under warranty

 

[mtellin]

actually Zero they dont need to be VHO (tho that is what I was running) you can use NO, HO, VHO or even power compacts on the Icecaps

 

[mtellin]

Thats the advice I was waiting to hear

right now i have it into a grounding adapter and then into my 2 prong lamp timer I wonder if thats what did it, think I should go find a 3 prong lamp timer then?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[saltybob]

Had the same problem till I grounded the receptacle been fine ever sense.

 

[Blowfishaq]

Mike. Get a 3 prong timer. If you are by a Lowes then you are in luck. They sell a digital 3 prong timer that does the exact same thing as the IceCap timer. It is a Timex Model 12/871. It has 6 on/off cycles a day if you want them. I have 2 of these and 2 IceCap timers. The timex ones only cost $16.00!!! This is one heck of a deal.

 

[mtellin]

I dont have a Lowe's near me nor could I find it on their website, I did however see this on the Home Depot site http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/prodmeta/pg_prodmeta.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Products_1%2fElectrical_4024%2fTimers_6825%2fIndoor+-+Yes&BV_SessionID=@@@@0791902294.1 001704598@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadcdeilmhkicgelceffdfgidgmm.0&MID=75&ProductOID=155690 is that pretty much the same thing? Seems like a decent price I think I might pick that one up.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[mtellin]

ok nevermind that link doesnt work

 

[gka]

Home Depot has a timer for outdoor lighting. It is a grounded timer. It also has a cover and can be mounted inside the tank. Look in the section where they sell the outdoor lighting.