IceCap Ballasts and electrical costs.......

[joeyz]

Hello :)
Just curious - if powering a tank with 2 / 36" bulbs, would there be a significant cost difference between using a 430 ballast or a 660? The 430 is meant to power 2 bulbs but the 660 is for 4 bulbs. I know by having the 660 I will have more options for the future, but I'd also hate to burn/waste more electricity than I have to.
Thanks in advance for your help...

[ASH]

From IceCap:
For most two lamp applications that either ballast could handle the Model 430 will use about 20% less energy and have 20% less output than a Model 660 would produce. For two 36" lamps I would recommend the Model 430 and expect to get at least two years from the lamps. It's a good idea to record the starting date on them.
Andy

[joeyz]

Are the connections for a 430 the same as a 660?

[ASH]

From IceCap:
No they are very different. For a 660 two lamp setup http://www.icecapinc.com/wire660-2.htm

For a two lamp 430 http://www.icecapinc.com/wire430-2.htm

Andy

[joeyz]

I don't think I asked that right...
Let's try again :)
Assuming you had a 660 ballast with the wiring harness and decided at that time that you wanted to use a 430 ballast would it be safe to assume that the system could be wired using the harness for the 660 ballast but then connect it to a 430 ballast? Is the harness the same?
Thanks...sorry to confuse you.

[IceCap Service]

The harness is NOT the same.
--You can hook up a 430 ballast to a 660 harness but only 2 lights will come on if wired for 4 lamps. If wired for 2 lamps, only 1 will light.
--CAUTION!!! DO NOT hook up a 660 ballast to a 430 harness. It will NOT work and will damage the ballast.

[joeyz]

I want to hook up a 430 ballast to a 660 harness....

[IceCap Service]

As stated in the above post it will safely work however only half the system will light. The reason is the 430 is a single output transformer system whereas the 660 is a dual transformer system.

[GROSSR]

I have a friend who is a master electrician. I asked him about ICE CAP vs. TAR. He said what you pay for in a Electronic Ballast, you will never recoup your money. Also, the amount of additional heat is marginal. He says that stating upto 40% can mean anywhere from 0 - 40. I trust my friend, but what should I believe?

[ASH]

From IceCap:
Originally posted by GROSSR
I have a friend who is a master electrician. I asked him about ICE CAP vs. TAR. He said what you pay for in a Electronic Ballast, you will never recoup your money. Also, the amount of additional heat is marginal. He says that stating upto 40% can mean anywhere from 0 - 40. I trust my friend, but what should I believe?

"He says that stating upto 40% can mean anywhere from 0 - 40." What did you mean, savings?

Having worked for a year at a lighting business I know how difficult it is for those unaccustomed to our technology to believe it. What other ballast can run a T-5, T-8 or T-12 linear lamp as well as Biax or twin tube lamps? What other ballast runs with as little waste heat yet doesn't rely on potting the circuit board to dampen the heat and/or vibrations? What other ballast is repairable? What other VHO ballast doesn't practically eat fluorescent lamps and allows for two years of useful lamp life? None. On a more technical criteria, no other ballast equally lights a lamp from end to end while minimizing any blackening of the lamp ends.

No disrespect, but this is not likely a ballast he's used to working with. Our safety features usually drive electricians crazy as they will hot wire ballasts and add lamps later expecting them to turn on. Our system was made for a salt water environment and to UL code for safe operation.
Andy

[GROSSR]

Thanks for the info. I will buy a ICECAP regardless of what he says. Thanks again.