The difference in ballast and non-ballast resistor systems is the
internal resistance of the coil. Most systems using a ballast resistor
only require 6 volts at the coil to produce proper spark.
When cranking the engine the ballast it bypassed delivering
max power (+12v) to the coil to increase spark power.
On a non-ballast system the coil is designed to run from +12v
Electronic ign. is OK to use on the Gold coil as long as you remove
the ballast wire from your ignition power path, letting the system run
on +12v all the time. The electronic modules are getting there power
from the coil supply lines. If the ballast is left in place the ign. module
will not get the proper power needed (+12v) This is what kills them
so quickly in some installations. The Gold coil has the proper
resistance (3-6 ohms) you don't need the ballast resistor and the
elec. ign. module will handle the power just fine.
Side note:
I've purposely tried to blow up the power switching of a module just
to see what they could handle. (it was an old mount mechanically damaged
unit.) It took loading it up with three coils before it smoked after 3 hours
of sitting there under full load.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Elliott <grunt2@adelphia.net>
To: teds <teds@accessone.com>
Cc: Steve Shoyer <steve@shoyer.com>; mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Sunday, January 24, 1999 5:45 PM
Subject: Re: Lucas Sport Coil on 1980 MGB
>As a matter of fact this was dicussed here not long ago and the it was
concluder
>that the coil was not for electronics as they required the ballast resistor
for
>proper operation, I have a crane 700 in the box right here and it requires
a
>ballest resistor in line before the coil. Carl E.
>
>teds wrote:
>
>> who told you that ? it works fine for EI's, I used it with a pertronix
and a
>> MSD system. just remove the ballast resistor and the ballast wire. make
sure
>> you get 12+- volts at the + terminal with the ignition on, not 8 or 9,
which
>> would indicate a resistor in there.
>>
>> ted stowe
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Carl Elliott <grunt2@adelphia.net>
>> To: Steve Shoyer <steve@shoyer.com>
>> Cc: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
>> Date: Sunday, January 24, 1999 8:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: Lucas Sport Coil on 1980 MGB
>>
>> >The Lucas Sport coil is for Points, Not Electronic Ignitions.
>> >Made the mistake and now have a brand new coil I don't need,Carl E.
>> >
>> >Steve Shoyer wrote:
>> >
>> >> Before buying and installing a Lucas sports coil, I want to make sure
>> that
>> >> I know what I need to do to get it to work. If I understand the
>> directions
>> >> on Skye's web page, I need to:
>> >>
>> >> 1) Swap the coils
>> >> 2) Run a (white) wire to the + terminal on the new coil
>> >> 3) Open the spark plug gap
>> >>
>> >> Has anyone done this conversion and have any specifics to offer? I'm
>> >> wondering about the size (diameter) for the new white wire, where it
>> >> connects, how wide to open the spark plugs, and anything else that
might
>> be
>> >> important. Did the new coil make much of a difference?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks in advance.
>> >>
>> >> --Steve (1980 MGB)
>> >
>> >
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