You can only say for sure if you have a ballast in circuit or not by
measuring the voltage across the coil with the ignition on and the points
closed. If you see about 12v you have a non-ballasted system, if you see
about 6v you have a ballasted system. BTW, a coil that requires a ballast
will overheat and burn points if it is used without a ballast. A 12v coil
used with a ballast will not burn out but you will get weak sparking.
FYI, the standard 12v coil has a resistance of about 3.2 ohms and a 6v coil
about 1.5 ohms.
PaulH.
http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.hunt1/
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Graziano <mgrazian@ltcm.com>
To: Spridgets (E-mail) <spridgets@autox.team.net>; MGList (E-mail)
<mgs@autox.team.net>; 'Spitfires' <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Date: 26 May 1999 18:11
Subject: Coil.... To Ballast or Not To Ballast....
>Next on the list....
>
>The ignition my car has in it is a Lumenition ignition. The DPO installed
a
>chopper in the distributor that was for a six cylinder, not a four. Hence,
>all the problems I've been having. I spoke to the people who distribute
the
>Lumenition kits. He suggested I order a new coil as it's probably been
>overheating since it was installed. That was almost 4K miles ago. Just to
>be safe, I decided to get a new one as they're relatively cheap.
>
>I'd like to get the Lucas Gold (sport coil), even though my ignition may be
>ballasted. The stock 1500 Midgets were ballasted. How can I determine if
>the ballast has been removed by the PO or not? It's necessary to remove it
>for the Lumenition to operate correctly and to keep the sport coil from
>burning out.
>
>Thanx,
>
>Michael
>
> _____________________________________
> / \
>| Michael Graziano |
>| Long Term Capital Management L.P. |
>| Phone: 203-552-5706 |
>| Fax: 203-553-5869 |
>| Email: mgrazian@ltcm.com |
> \_____________________________________/
>
|