HELP w/ IceCap 660 Ballast

[ReeferRob]

Less than 6 months old, just went down to check my frag tank and it wasn't on. I first thought it was the timer but once I bypassed it only 2 of the 4 bulbs went on. And that was for only 3 seconds.
What should I do?

No it didn't get wet or anything like that.

 

[luke33]

If your bulb's all fire up for a second and then go out its bad connections. The wiring has come loose on an endcap.

 

[ReeferRob]

Only 2 of the 4 are fireing up. Plus its not possible for them to come loose the way I put it together. But good idea I'll triple check.

 

[LegoZ81]

If they come on like that it could be several things:
a wire came loose or no longer has a good connection
a bulb is not seated fully
an open has developed in the harness/ballast
wiring is not properly connected (since they have been working it is one of the above)

I assume if a short has happened in either the ballast or the harness the main fuse would have died and they would not come on at all

 

[ReeferRob]

Got it. Bulb blew. Only 4 months old what gives?

 

[luke33]

What kind of bulb's are you using. I have heard of the ic660 overdriving 24" bulb's to pop quick. Are you using a fan to blow across them?

 

[ReeferRob]

Ya, they are over driven. I use ATI bulbs and do have a phatty fan blowing across them.

 

[luke33]

Sounds like a freak accident then. Bad bulb Rob.

 

[AHDOnline]

I lost 4 ATI Blues in the matter of 3 months on my 660 system.

Two cracked, two actually had holes in them and one just stopped.

Note to self, no more ATI Blues

ps.. I had posted a couple issues on the "other" forum and not many hits outside bad bulbs. But manufacturer says there have been no reported issues

 

[curt]

I've had two ati blues go out within 6 months on the 660.Now I have all (6) ice cap bulbs.

 

[H@rry]

I've been running 2 54W ATI Blue + since Jul 2 with a 660 and no problems yet.

 

[Steven Pro]

The 660 has a protection circuit in it. When it senses something is wrong like a loose wire or bad lamp, it shuts down. That is why the lamps were going on for a second and then going off.