[sean]

Well i start out telling everyone the history of my lighting if it might help. I bought that 180 setup from Ed about a week ago. When i went to his house to take a look at the tank the lights were on the tank and everything looked fine. Then when i took it home i had the lights on for a couple hours a few days ago, and yesterday for about a 1/2 everything was just fine. But today ive tried about 10 times, and everytime i plug the lights in they turn on for a second then turn right back off. Right after i plug it in.
I have no idea what could be the cause of this, Ed said he has the ballast custom made so it works with 4 6' bulbs. Because that is what i have on the tank right now, a total of 660 watts. I do realize if the that ballast wasnt modified at all. It would only hold two 6's. So does anyone think this could be a problem, Could it be burnt out or something. Another thing i was thinking could be a problem is he said the the bulbs have 4 months left of life in them, and he says he keeps his bulbs for 14 months, but i have heard that people usually replace their vho's after 6 months. Maybe the lights just dont have any life in them and i need to replace them now....
Anyone ever experienced a situation similar to this. Or know what could be the cause? If there is any other info you want to know just ask me. Im hoping there is a electrician on this site.

Thanks soo much in advance if someone can help me with this situation.[D]

 

[Guest]

You have a short somewhere, I.E> a fried wire or bare or exposed wire touching metal or to lines are touching. Hopefully the lights turning off are an automatic shutoff feature. Make sure your lights are on a GFI and what city do you live in? If you don't get it workin i'll swing by and look at them

 

[Will C]

could be one bulb is loose also. try wiggeling all of them then plug them in just to check. my other guess is that one of the bulbs is bad.

 

[John Brancheau]

Hey Sean,

Glad to hear you bought it, sorry about the light trouble though, sounds like Jason needs to come by and check it out for you, I seen his work at Neo's, he will fix it for you I'm sure.BTW, do you like the tank? And FYI, put some halides in that canopy, you will need them.

 

[reef120]

Sean,

Here is the trick with the IceCap ballast.

Double check the endcaps and make sure that they are pushed into the Bulbs and that eversingle endcaps is tight and secured. If the icecap ballast senses one loose endcaps or a bit loose the ballast will fire and turn off. Check the end caps is the key...

 

[sean]

Wow! i surprised i got that many responses, im so glad everyone is giving their 2 cents. Well i just try pushing the bulbs in their fixture and few i guess were loose, and now its working again!!!!! You guys are so awesome! I thank all of you so much!
Well Jason if you still wanted to know i am located in clarkston which is in oakland county about two citys from Will, but what is GFI? John, I am enjoying my tank very much. Just hoping nothing gives out later. This gave me a big scare. Ed did mention that the ice cap ballast was custom made, did he tell you about that. Because now that i am learning more about ice caps i realized the ballast says its a 660. But i wonder what he had done to it to make it hold two other 6 footers.

Thanks again Jason, Will, John, and Reef120. You guys are awesome!

 

[Guest]

GFI Ground Fault Interupt , it's a type of plug on it that will trip if theres a short or any other surge.

 

[Guest]

Isn't it great to get help and offer for help like this.

 

[sean]

yes it is!