Ice cap ballasts

[Tazmaniancowboy]

Everybody always raves about the Icecap 660 ballasts. I would like to fit in with these people . I have a maristar 48" fixture with 2-250Mh and 2-t5. Do the ballasts run any hotter than others? Would I be able to just take the current ballast out and attach the new ballast. I'm not really into electric, but would it just change out wire for wire? Do you think the rest of the connections Sockets, wiring be ok if I change it out?

Should I change it out?

Taz

 

[DaveK]

The Ice Cap 660 ballast is for normal output fluorescent, VHO, T5, or PC. Ice cap also sells electronic ballasts for MH.

You are likely to find that the 660 is going to be much larger, especially when mounted on it's heat sink, compared to the usual bargain ballasts used in most fixtures. This is going to require some retro fitting, or you may need to mount the ballast on top of the fixture, or remotely.

The wiring isn't too difficult, but is likely to be a little different. Ice Cap does provide diagrams on their web site on how to wire the ballast for different types of bulbs. You can check the diagrams against what you have now.

You can also consider Fulham workhorse ballasts. They are also electronic and excellent. The are a bit less expensive and tend to be long and narrow, compared to the ice cap ballasts. This makes them a little easier to retrofit. See them here - http://www.fulham.com/

 

[RichT]

I had Workhourse ballast, 4 to be exact, and based on my experience, they don't hold a candle to the IceCap 660. They (workhorse)burned out one at a time and caused quiet a bit of interference with my meter probes. Installed the 660's and haven't looked back. Again this is my experience, yours may differ.

 

[mott768]

Everybody always raves about the Icecap 660 ballasts. I would like to fit in with these people . I have a maristar 48" fixture with 2-250Mh and 2-t5. Do the ballasts run any hotter than others? Would I be able to just take the current ballast out and attach the new ballast. I'm not really into electric, but would it just change out wire for wire? Do you think the rest of the connections Sockets, wiring be ok if I change it out?

Should I change it out?

Taz

Maristar is made by SunLight Supply and they use the advance electronic ballasts for the T5's. I only run those ballasts for my T5's as they run cooler and take up less space. I've been running them for years with no problems or issues with interference. Also the cost is substantially less than the ice cap 660, it is also the ballast that comes in the maristar fixture. I can't comment on the workhorse ballasts cause I've never used them.

If your T5's are working why would you want to change the ballast?

 

[sgarron]

Also keep in mind that the 660 will run your 54w bulbs at about 80 watts, the bulbs should be cooled and their life will be shortened. that said, you can't beat the icecap, I love mine.

 

[boontonbob]

Also keep in mind that the 660 will run your 54w bulbs at about 80 watts, the bulbs should be cooled and their life will be shortened. that said, you can't beat the icecap, I love mine.

That certainly doesn't make the 660s desirable for T5s! (good info.) So, are 660's effective on PCs or VHO only? I wouldn't want to lose life on T5's!

 

[sgarron]

IMO, it makes the 660 very desireable. So you change the bulbs every year instead of 18 months. I'm going to be using a 660 for my 4 - 39watt ATI bulbs which will be running at 50 - 54 watts. Also using 2 icecap fans for cooling.