Moved controller to permanent location and cut the HV pump cable to length (6' extra down from 120' extra).  Opted to install a new controller-end HV connector as opposed to making a butt splice.  For reasons that I cannot explain, following the instructions seems to have helped!  Time will tell if my connector job can survive the 7100 volt day-in day-out.  The controller dust cover doesn't fit and will need to be modified and the AC pwr cord is too short (using extension cord for now).  Will "tweek" these two issues and move on to the X2-8 flavor next week.