Do I have a problem???

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

I got a wiring harness from a guy when I got my 660 icecap ballast for VHO's. I only need to use 4 end caps because I am doing 2 bulbs. The wiring harness has 8 end caps for 4 bulbs. Will I be able to use this?

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

I don't think you can just use 2 of the caps and leave it wired as is. There is a different wire configuration for the 2 bulb setup. Did it come with wiring instructions? You can use the same harness, but it will need rewired.

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

I thought that if I were missing bulbs it wouldnt fire them.

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

Here is a link to the wire diagrams if you need them.

http://www.northcoastmarines.com/icecap_lamp_configurations.htm

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

Correct, it probably won't fire with the extra unused end caps still in place. Change the wiring setup to match the 660 2 bulb configuration in the diagram I posted.

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

Can I just clip off the unused wiring and endcaps?

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

After it is rewired using the 2 bulb diagram, the brown and purple wires should be individually capped. You can cut them shorter if you want before you do that. The wires will come out of the end caps very easily so you don't have to cut them out of the endcaps.

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

Sorry I am a dummy....

The thing is the main plug that plugs from the ballast to the harness is made for all those wires. Will I just pull them out of that?

surfn · Nov 30, 2007

sounds like the ballast is wired up for a series.....not in parallel (i.e. like older x-mas tree lights).

i'm not sure what to tell you....as i don't have much experience in wiring ballasts for actinic lights.

i'm sure Twon8 would know though.....send him a PM to see if he can chime in.

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

Ok thanks...

Here is what I got.

On one side I have 4 end caps the colors that run to them are Red, Blue, Yellow, Green

The other 4 are only Brown and Purple and are linked together by a single black wire. So out of these 4 there are 2 groups of 2 and each group has that single black wire linking them.

surfn · Nov 30, 2007

revhtree said:
Ok thanks...

Here is what I got.

On one side I have 4 end caps the colors that run to them are Red, Blue, Yellow, Green

The other 4 are only Brown and Purple and are linked together by a single black wire. So out of these 4 there are 2 groups of 2 and each group has that single black wire linking them.

can you take a picture? sounds like a grounding wire??

killingseed2000 · Nov 30, 2007

rev you have a picture of harness. i would say ditch the hardness and rewire. ya is will not work right unless you use all the bulbs for that harness. seems almost like over kill for 2 bulbs form that 660.

thats a good link there coralfarmer.

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

I understand where you are coming from. I was confused too when I first got my 660. At first I had it set up with only two bulbs, and then I used it as a 4 bulb setup and I was glad I kept the wiring. You probably could remove the purple and brown but it isn't necessary to pull them out of the plastic piece that plugs directly into the ballast. All you have to do is make sure the bare ends of the wires on the purple and brown don't touch. So if you want you can shorten them and wrap the 4 wires individually and just leave them.

You can use the same harness. Just make sure you have:
2 red wires in endcap #1
2 yellow wires in endcap #2
2 blue wires in endcap #3
2 orange wires in endcap #4

The white, black, and green wires should be connected to a plug that goes into your electrical outlet.

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

revhtree · Nov 30, 2007

So which two of the four colors go together?

Red with Blue...etc...??

Also can I use regular wire to make them longer to span the length of the tank?

coralfarm123 · Nov 30, 2007

Ok, just take the endcaps off of the purple and brown wires and cover them up individually. Those little black wires are not needed and can be pitched. The red wires go with the yellow in the other end and the blue with the orange.