scooby1350
Member
Does anyone know how to make a dimmer for an Icecap 660 ballast? I know I can buy a Solar dimmer for $150, but hoping to make a cheap manual Dimmer.
Any help would be great thanks.
Any help would be great thanks.
Dimmer for IceCap 660
- Thread starter scooby1350
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
I totally want to know how to do this as well.
From what I understand, it's a 0-10v control signal; each 0.1v increment represents 1% of output brightness.
I could easily build a controller that does this, but what I don't know and can't find is the pinout of the dimming port on it.
If anyone has a good relationship with Andy or someone over at Icecap... maybe they can call and get one, or even better, a schematic for the whole thing.
Needless to say, building your own dimmer will void your warranty.
From what I understand, it's a 0-10v control signal; each 0.1v increment represents 1% of output brightness.
I could easily build a controller that does this, but what I don't know and can't find is the pinout of the dimming port on it.
If anyone has a good relationship with Andy or someone over at Icecap... maybe they can call and get one, or even better, a schematic for the whole thing.
Needless to say, building your own dimmer will void your warranty.
scooby1350
Member
That what I am trying to find out is the pin out. I know that I could easily build one for a fraction of the price that I can by one for. I just want the dimmer, so I can run my ballast at 50% power for right now. I think two 110watt lights for a 55 gallon is a little too much power.
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Here's one. I didnt search alot, but this one is along the lines of what you're looking for. It'll dim up to 60 ballasts though, you only need to dim one. This will maybe put you along the track of what you're looking for. Price may be a chunk on this particular dimmer.
Mods this is in no way a cometitor of you'rs. Dimmer and switch manufacturer here. Please allow(forgive me if I'm not abiding here).
http://www.lutron.com/instructions/037086.pdf
Click
Mods this is in no way a cometitor of you'rs. Dimmer and switch manufacturer here. Please allow(forgive me if I'm not abiding here).
http://www.lutron.com/instructions/037086.pdf
acrylic51
Active Member
The ballasts are suppose to go back to IceCap to have something adjusted internally to be dimmable, and had inquired about that and from what I gathered not really worth it.......Solar system is your safest bet, because if something were to happen to your ballast due to improper use, you'll probably void the warranty.
scsinet
Active Member
Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
Here's one. I didnt search alot, but this one is along the lines of what you're looking for. It'll dim up to 60 ballasts though, you only need to dim one. This will maybe put you along the track of what you're looking for. Price may be a chunk on this particular dimmer.
Mods this is in no way a cometitor of you'rs. Dimmer and switch manufacturer here. Please allow(forgive me if I'm not abiding here).
http://www.lutron.com/instructions/037086.pdf
Click
Thanks for the tips
Getting the 0-10v is not so much of a problem as is figuring out how to tie it into the that ballast.
Acrylic,
Void shmoid. I can drill a rivot out!!! I'm at this point almost willing to risk it on one of my icecaps to find out how to do it. I build a microcontroller based lighting controller for my tanks, and I built in support for it but I just can't tie into the dimming functions.
How frustrating is that!
Here's one. I didnt search alot, but this one is along the lines of what you're looking for. It'll dim up to 60 ballasts though, you only need to dim one. This will maybe put you along the track of what you're looking for. Price may be a chunk on this particular dimmer.
Mods this is in no way a cometitor of you'rs. Dimmer and switch manufacturer here. Please allow(forgive me if I'm not abiding here).
http://www.lutron.com/instructions/037086.pdf
Thanks for the tips
Getting the 0-10v is not so much of a problem as is figuring out how to tie it into the that ballast.
Acrylic,
Void shmoid. I can drill a rivot out!!! I'm at this point almost willing to risk it on one of my icecaps to find out how to do it. I build a microcontroller based lighting controller for my tanks, and I built in support for it but I just can't tie into the dimming functions.
How frustrating is that!
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Dimmiable ballasts supply the 0-10v power for the dimmers. Theres are only 2 wires involved in the dimming process. The hot from the ballast to dimmer, and the control back to the ballast from dimmer. Commercially avaulabe ballasts have two pin connections in the housing to attach to. Find these connections inside you icecap and wallah, there it is. I'd open it up and see if there's any way to tell.
scooby1350
Member
I just wish Icecap would post the Wiring Diagram for the I/O port, but they probably are the company that makes the dimmers.
scooby1350
Member
That is the least of my worries, with the money I will save in electricity I can buy a new ballast every year 
But if I can get it to work I won't need to worry about that.
But if I can get it to work I won't need to worry about that.
scooby1350
Member
The last one I got was $75 new on ----.
scooby1350
Member
I was hoping someone had a broke one they could look at, but I am working right now at figuring out what each wire does.
B
bmwaaron
Guest
So has anyone got a pin out for the 4 pin Icecap 660 ballast yet? I want to use the Profilux controller but I cant get a straight answer from Icecap on which pin is which on there ballast.
scsinet
Active Member
They probably won't give you a straight answer. I was also never able to get one. I believe the only controller that is supported is the Solar controller, which is made by Icecap, so it's more or less a proprietary system.
I've more or less given up.... but if you find the info, post it here please!
I've more or less given up.... but if you find the info, post it here please!