four 80W T5s on an IC 660?

[traip93]

I just purchased a ICECAP 660, I wanted the ballast to run four 80w T5s. I was told by reefgeek that an ice660 will fail if you attempt to run four 80w bulbs on it. Reefgeek said I need to send the ballast back to icecap and have them modify it, then I will be able to run four 80w bulbs.

Does this sound right? Why can't an icecap, out of the box, not support 320w of T5 bulbs?

[traip93]

Another question:

Out of the box can a 660 ballast run 2x5foot Ts and 2x4foot T5s?

Or 3x5foot T5s and 1xfour foot T5?

(I really need this ballast to run 4 bulbs with atleast 2 of the bulbs being 5 footer :) )

[IceCap Service]

The max load of a 660 ballast is 3 of the 80 watt T-5's period. There is no modification we can do to increase the load. You can run 4 of the 4 foot 54 watt bulbs.

[traip93]

really? wow I guess I was miss lead and that kind of stinks, now that I have $300 worth of equipment on the way.....

Would a 2 x 5 foot and 2x 4 foot configuration work?

Why can a ballast that is rated for 440w only hold 240w of T5s?

[IceCap Service]

That would still be to much load. For what you want to do you will need 2 ballasts. Remember the rating is for VHO. The T-5 lamps are totally different and the VHO rating does not apply.

[traip93]

ok, so the rating on the ballast is for VHO bulbs and not T5s. Gotcha...

Would a Icecap 440 (the smaller one) run 2 five foot bulbs?

[IceCap Service]

That would work fine. The 430 ballast will run 2 of the 80 watt T-5 lamps with no problem.

[traip93]

thanks for your help and quick responce