What's the problem with my VHO and IceCap?

[patrick g.]

I've got an IceCap 430 connected to 2 VHOs. Whenever I plug in the ballast, one of the lamps starts to come on, but then immediately goes off. I tried switching the lamps around, but both bulbs do the same thing, always in the same pair of endcaps. Any ideas? I've checked everything I can think of.

 

[sebae0]

double check the wiring to the endcaps and make sure the bulbs are twisted in all the way. if possible take a look at the pins on the bulbs and make sure they are not bent or loose.

 

[wolffam]

Check the clip that comes in contact with the pins on the lamp in the endcap. Sounds like it might not be making solid contact. Might be broken. You might need to replace one endcap, if this is the problem. HTH

 

[firecopemt]

Try twisting the bulbs about a 1/8th to a 1/4 of a turn, then plug it back in. Mine did this too me when I hooked it up too. Twisting the bulb and seating it in better fixed the problem.

 

[mlm]

What type of endcaps are you using?

 

[quazi]

This is definately an end cap issue. There is some juice getting through, but not enough to light the tubes.
Buy new 3 piece end caps. And keep an extra pair on hand at all times.

 

[chainsaw5vent]

i've got the same problem with my 660 ballast also. according to icecap, it is supposed to be a self protection feature of the ballast. if you go to the icecap website they have a page that is supposed to help you to trouble shoot the problem.
if you cannot figure out the problem, they recommend sending it in to them w/ $65 to fix it. if they cannot find a problem with it, they will send it (and your $$) back for no charge. i know, i just got my 660 back and they said "no problem with the ballast". now if i could only get my lights to work again...... they used to work before....

now to go out and purchase some new endcaps.

 

[bang guy]

Also Remove each wire is seat it again into the endcap. With Icepcaps if bulbs flash on and then shut off there is usually one bulb that isn't lighting at all, that's where the problem circuit is.