T5s, number of bulbs and overdriven wattage with IC 430 and 660 ballasts

[sjm817]

This seems to come up a lot. Could Ice Cap fill in the blanks for the T5 bulb lengths and ballast below? I think this would be useful info for the forum.

Thanks!

IC 660
24"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

36"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

48"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

60"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

IC 430
24"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

36"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

48"
max number bulbs
overdriven wattage

60"
max number bulbs =
overdriven wattage =

[Macimage]

I am interested in the 80 watt t5's and the 660 ballast. I read on RC that the 660 can drive 3 80 watt t5's, however, the wiring diagrams on your website only show a two lamp configuration and two power compact setups.

Will the 660 drive 3 80 watt t5's and how would you wire them?

Joyce

[sjm817]

It would be nice if the IC folks could fill in the blanks for us.

Pretty please?? ;)

[IceCap Service]

For the 660 ballast just use the standard rule of thumb, 16 total feet of lamp length. With that said, it will run 4 of all listed bulbs except the 60 inch bulbs in which it will run only 3 of them. It will overdrive the lamps by approximately 40-45%. So take the wattage of the lamp and add that percentage to it.

With the 430 ballast it will run 2 T5's only regardless of wattage. It will not overdrive them to the levels of a 660 ballast. It will be minimal at best. Will overdrive them by approximately 10%.

[Macimage]

Thank you for your reply. However, I also was inquiring how to wire the 3 80 watt t5's to the 660. As I noted:

"The wiring diagrams on your website only show a two lamp configuration and two power compact setups."

Thank you!
Joyce

[IceCap Service]

It is right on our web site.
http://www.icecapinc.com/document2.pdf

Just need to scroll down a bit. Its right after the 2 lamp diagrams and just before the 4 lamp diagrams.

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12495902#post12495902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IceCap Service
For the 660 ballast just use the standard rule of thumb, 16 total feet of lamp length. With that said, it will run 4 of all listed bulbs except the 60 inch bulbs in which it will run only 3 of them. It will overdrive the lamps by approximately 40-45%. So take the wattage of the lamp and add that percentage to it.

With the 430 ballast it will run 2 T5's only regardless of wattage. It will not overdrive them to the levels of a 660 ballast. It will be minimal at best. Will overdrive them by approximately 10%.
Thnx for the reply. I was under the impression that the 60" bulbs were driven to ~ 100W with a 660 which is a 25% increase.

[reefer4sho]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12495902#post12495902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IceCap Service
For the 660 ballast just use the standard rule of thumb, 16 total feet of lamp length. With that said, it will run 4 of all listed bulbs except the 60 inch bulbs in which it will run only 3 of them. It will overdrive the lamps by approximately 40-45%. So take the wattage of the lamp and add that percentage to it.

with this said, could i run 8-2 foot lamps?

[EcoTech Service]

As stated, it will run 4 of any of the bulbs as long as the total max lamp length is 16 feet or less. It will not run more than 4 lamps.

[reefer4sho]

i figured i misinterpreted something.

thanks

[The0wn4g3]

Ice-Cap 660

24"
max number bulbs = 4
overdriven wattage = 34.2W
total overdriven wattage = 136.8W

36"
max number bulbs = 4
overdriven wattage = 55.6W
total overdriven wattage = 222.3W

48"
max number bulbs = 4
overdriven wattage = 77.0W
total overdriven wattage = 307.8W

60"
max number bulbs = 3
overdriven wattage = 114W
total overdriven wattage = 342W

Ice-Cap 430

24"
max number bulbs = 2
overdriven wattage =26.4W
total overdriven wattage = 52.8W

36"
max number bulbs = 2
overdriven wattage = 42.9W
total overdriven wattage = 85.8W

48"
max number bulbs = 2
overdriven wattage = 59.4W
total overdriven wattage = 118.8W

60"
max number bulbs = 2
overdriven wattage = 88W
total overdriven wattage = 176W

All are just an approximate average of the percentages of increase. I think I did that right.

[sjm817]

The0wn4g3
Thats for filling that in. I am under the impression that the 660 drives 80W bulbs to 100W.

Can Ice Cap please verify this and the rest of the numbers?

Thanks

[sjm817]

I measured the wattage of my 660s running 3 x 60" T5s today. The 660 running 3 Blue+ was 291W. The 660 running 2 Aquablue and 1 procolor was 296W. Ballasts are not 100% efficient. It seems the 660 runs the T5s at some wattage less than 100W. Maybe 90W or so?