What happens if you don't use a ballast resistor?
If the ballast resistor is not working properly, the vehicle will not start. Since it is an electrical system, it is something best left to the professionals to handle. The only way to have the vehicle up and running again is with a ballast resistor replacement.
Is it necessary to use a ballast resistor in the discharge circuit?
In laser circuits, it is very important to have components between the actual voltage and the tube to stabilize the discharge and limit the current. Laser circuits which do not have a ballast resistor will produce a flashing or flickering discharge.
Why do you need a ballast resistor?
A ballast resistor helps to regulate the current and voltage in an electrical system. It helps equipment from experiencing overcurrent and overvoltage events. Ballast resistors are mostly used in automotive and lighting applications.
Do you need a ballast resistor with a 12v coil?
Using a non-ballasted coil would mean that you are running a 12v coil on a 9v feed, resulting in a weak spark. You can however use such coils provided you remove the ballast resister. Never try to run a ballasted coil when a ballast resistor is not present in the ignition system!
Does a ballast resistor drop voltage?
A ballast resistor is utilized in the circuit, which is connected in series with the bulb, to prevent overheating owing to the high current draw. So, the purpose of a ballast resistor is just decreasing the voltage and controls the current.
Can you hook up a ballast resistor backwards?
Can you hook up a ballast resistor backwards? In a circuit, resistors are oblivious to polarity. As a result, you don't have to be concerned about installing them backward. A resistor allows current to flow in either direction.
How do you tell if a coil needs a resistor?
To check if there's an internal ballast resistor in your coil, there are two things you need to do: 1) remove any cover covering up your coil, and 2) check if your ballast has 3 wires coming out of it. If the ballast doesn't have the ballast resistor built inside, then there should be three wires coming out of it.
Does an LED need a resistor?
Resistors in Light Emitting Diode (LED) Circuits The ballast resistor is used to limit the current through the LED and to prevent excess current that can burn out the LED. If the voltage source is equal to the voltage drop of the LED, no resistor is required.
How do I test a ballast resistor?
To test your ballast resistor you need an ohm meter or multimeter set to ohms. Remove the connectors from both sides of the resistor. The ohms should read between 1.8 and 5 ohms. You should be getting 9 volts to the positive side of the coil.
How many ohms should a 12 volt coil have?
You should have a resistance reading of at least 3-4.5 ohms. A bad coil will show a higher reading then 3-4.5. Next, place the red or black lead from the meter to the centre of the coil , and to either one of the terminals positive or negative. You want 9500-10000 Ohms, a little less is ok but no more.
What is the difference between a ballast and non ballast coil?
What is the difference between the two types of coils? Basically, a non-ballast coil is designed to produce full spark output with 12 volts on the input (+ terminal). A ballast coil is designed to produce the same spark output, but with only 6 to 9 volts on the input.
Where do you put a ballast resistor?
Note: Ballast resistors are usually located bolted to the firewall if your distributor and/or coil is at the rear of the engine. If your distributor is located near the front or side of the engine in the case of an inline-4 cylinder, then it's probably right near the ignition coil or distributor.
Where do you put a ballast resistor?
Note: Ballast resistors are usually located bolted to the firewall if your distributor and/or coil is at the rear of the engine. If your distributor is located near the front or side of the engine in the case of an inline-4 cylinder, then it's probably right near the ignition coil or distributor.
Which circuit the ballast resistor is used?
Resistors in Light Emitting Diode (LED) Circuits The ballast resistor is used to limit the current through the LED and to prevent excess current that can burn out the LED. If the voltage source is equal to the voltage drop of the LED, no resistor is required.
How much resistance should a ballast resistor have?
To test your ballast resistor you need an ohm meter or multimeter set to ohms. Remove the connectors from both sides of the resistor. The ohms should read between 1.8 and 5 ohms.
What role does the ballast resistor r0 play in the circuit used in this lab work?
A ballast resistor is used in a circuit to limit the current and hence prevent it from over current faults.
Pana.Mopar Duster Down Under
I've got dual ballast resistor set up on my Duster with Electronic Dizzy - Orange ECU and just purchased MSD Blaster 2 Coil. Just want to ask 2 x questions...
67Dart273 FABO Gold Member FABO Gold Member
The ONLY TIME you will have 12 to the coil is DURING CRANKING (starting.) The rest of the time, the coil is supplied through the ballast, which will supply a lower voltage.
Pana.Mopar Duster Down Under
Thanks for the explanation. What's the reasoning behind not removing the ballast resistor on a Mopar ECU type ignition? A fair few people have said that it is not necessary and the MSD Blaster 2 coil doesn't require then ballast resistor to lower voltage. Or is it that the ECU will have issues??
How to check if a ballast resistor is working?
We can check the resistance of the ballast resistor with the help of an ohmmeter. If it is near the rated resistance, this is a good sign that the ballast resistor is in a healthy condition.
What happens to the resistance of a ballast resistor?
When the current flowing through the resistor increase, it increases the temperature of the ballast resistor. As a result, the resistance also increases. This type of ballast resistor is used in an incandescent lamp. When the current passing through the lamp increase, the resistance of the ballast resistor increases.
What does a Ballast Resistor do?
Therefore, when we use the term ballast resistor, it refers to the fact that the ballast resistor is helping maintain the stability of the electrical circuit.
What happens if the ballast resistor is not connected to the ignition coil?
If the ballast resistor is not connected with the ignition coil, the full supply voltage is applied to the ignition coil.
What happens to the voltage of a ballast when the current increases?
When the current passing through the lamp increase, the resistance of the ballast resistor increases. And it also increases the voltage drop across the resistor. When the current decreases, the temperature goes down and resistance decreases.
What is the name of the resistor used in the ignition system?
In a car engine, a ballast resistor is used in the ignition system. And it is known as an ignition ballast resistor.
How to increase the life of an ignition coil?
To increase the life of the ignition coil, we need to reduce voltage. and to fulfill this purpose, we connect a ballast resistor with the ignition coil . So, to test the ballast resistor, we can measure the voltage across the ignition coil. If the ballast resistor is good, it reduced the voltage level to 7-8V.
