8 24” bulbs on Ice Cap 660 ballast possible?

[Acrofiend]

Hi I’m currently using 4 24” t5’s and they’re running at around 50 watts each.
My question is am I able to add another 4 bulbs?
The description for the ballast says not to exceed 440W.

 

[fishguy242]

Hi ,don't think possible, I will come back as soon as I can w wiring diagrams for the 430 & 660's .
total bulb length is a restriction also

 

[fishguy242]

best I have...

 

[Acrofiend]

Appreciate that. I was thinking I could just splice the wires together. I may try it

 

[fishguy242]

let us know...

 

[C4ctus99]

Out of curiosity, where did you find 24” bulbs drawing 50w each? Or did I misunderstand…

 

[Acrofiend]

Out of curiosity, where did you find 24” bulbs drawing 50w each? Or did I misunderstand…

Well when my t5’s turn on it shows 2 amps.

 

[C4ctus99]

Well when my t5’s turn on it shows 2 amps.

For the whole fixture or on each individual lamp? Just seems kinda like a high power draw even for T5HOs

 

[fishguy242]

T-12 ?? VHO either 54 or 60 watt each

 

[C4ctus99]

T-12 ?? VHO either 54 or 60 watt each

OP I think said T5

 

[C4ctus99]

If you parallel the brown to one side and basically run each other color in parrelel to only two bulbs, then it may work. I’ll draw a wiring diagram in a minute and add it. The specs do say it is only made for 4 lamps, so keep that in mind

https://www.coralvue.com/amfile/file/download/file/71/product/229/

 

[Acrofiend]

For the whole fixture or on each individual lamp? Just seems kinda like a high power draw even for T5HOs

The ice cap 660 ballast is meant to overdrive the bulbs. They’re 24w bulbs overdriven to 50w.

 

[Acrofiend]

If you parallel the brown to one side and basically run each other color in parrelel to only two bulbs, then it may work. I’ll draw a wiring diagram in a minute and add it. The specs do say it is only made for 4 lamps, so keep that in mind

https://www.coralvue.com/amfile/file/download/file/71/product/229/

I see. Probably more wiring than I’m capable of understanding. Thank you.

 

[C4ctus99]

The ice cap 660 ballast is meant to overdrive the bulbs. They’re 24w bulbs overdriven to 50w.

Gotcha, sounds like fun

 

[C4ctus99]

I see. Probably more wiring than I’m capable of understanding. Thank you.

It’s not that bad, see the diagram I just put up. Basically just running two bulbs to each point on the 4 lamp setup

 

[Acrofiend]

Gotcha, sounds like fun

Ok that makes it easier! Thank you for drawing that for me. I’ll try to tonight.

 

[Doctorgori]

Hi ,don't think possible, I will come back as soon as I can w wiring diagrams for the 430 & 660's .
total bulb length is a restriction also

I had both 440 and 660 and 2nd that….there is a total bulb length restriction, I wanna say 16ft if I recall correctly…don't quote me as that was 25yrs ago

 

[C4ctus99]

I had both 440 and 660 and 2nd that….there is a total bulb length restriction, I wanna say 16ft if I recall correctly…don't quote me as that was 25yrs ago

Four 24" lamps (2'+2'+2'+2') plus another (new) 24" lamps (2'+2'+2'+2') would come out to 16' so OP would theoretically be under the length requirements. Although I just realized maybe lamps should be run in series not parallel maybe? I just learned about these in school be we were too busy trying to pass the test to actually learn. Either way, the instructions do say it is not designed for more than 4 lamps...

 

[a.t.t.r]

There is a reason there are two wires of each color. Not sure how icecaps handle it but most ballast run current to preheat the filament. See how they handle brown.

 

[a.t.t.r]

Could also try just wiring in the recommended 4 bulb setup except instead of one bulb use two in series ie. Orange to bulb >other end of bulb wired to next bulbs pins >next bulbs pins to purple.

the more I think about it this is the most likely setup to fire.