Why do I need a ballast resistor?
why is a ballast resistor needed? A ballast resistor is used in a circuit to limit the current and hence prevent it from over current faults. Here, as the current in the circuit varies and increases above a particular threshold value, the resistance also starts to increase. Do you need a resistor with a 12 volt coil?
What is the function of a ballast resistor?
Function A ballast resistor helps regulate voltage flowing in an electrical system to avoid overloads or battery drainage. Use in Automobiles As the starter motor begins to crank the engine, it causes a significant drain on the battery. The ballast resistor allows the ignition system to operate at a lower voltage until the engine starts.
What is the purpose of the ballast resistor?
What Does a Ballast Resistor Do?
- Definition. WordNet Search defines a ballast resistor, most commonly found in an automobile ignition system, as a device "inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes, [such] as those arising ...
- Function. ...
- Use in Automobiles. ...
- Additional uses. ...
How do you wire a ballast resistor?
How to Connect a Ballast Resistor
- Determine if Ballast Resistor Is Needed. In many of today's vehicles, the ballast resistor is not needed. ...
- Locate Ballast Resistor along Firewall. The best location for the ballast resistor to be connected is close to the coil along the firewall. ...
- Drill Holes for Securing Resistor. ...
- Install Ballast Resistor. ...
- Connect Wires to Positive. ...
Is a ballast resistor necessary?
And while ignition coil life may be compromised without a resistor, the additional secondary voltage (at the spark plug) is increased which generally improves power. So does your application require a ballast resistor? Quite simply, if your distributor has breaker points the answer is yes; if not, the answer is no.
What happens if ballast resistor fails?
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.
How do I know if my coil needs a ballast 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.
How do I know if I have a ballast resistor?
0:031:01Ballast Resistor - How to Test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow reach in the car. And turn the key to the on. Position. If you get something in the neighborhoodMoreNow reach in the car. And turn the key to the on. Position. If you get something in the neighborhood of about 12 volts the car does not have a ballast resistor.
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.
How do you test the resistance of 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 do you check a ballast?
To measure it, set your digital multimeter to around a thousand ohms resistance setting. Connect the black leads to the white ground wire on your ballast. Afterward, test every other wire with the red lead. When you do this test, a good ballast will return an “open-loop” or max resistance.
How much resistance should a 12v 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.
How many ohms should my ignition coil be?
A typical value would read 0.4 - 2 ohms.
Which circuit the ballast resistor is used?
Resistors in Light Emitting Diode (LED) Circuits Such a resistor is often called a ballast resistor. 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.
What does a resistor do?
A resistor is an electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit. Resistors can also be used to provide a specific voltage for an active device such as a transistor.
How do you test a resistor?
0:141:54How to Test a Resistor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first two bands will represent single-digit numbers the third van represents a multiplier andMoreThe first two bands will represent single-digit numbers the third van represents a multiplier and the fourth band will be an accuracy rating for the device the ceramic and wire varieties of resistors.
Why is my ballast resistor getting hot?
It means the coil is drawing excessive current.
How do I test a ballast with a multimeter?
To measure it, set your digital multimeter to around a thousand ohms resistance setting. Connect the black leads to the white ground wire on your ballast. Afterward, test every other wire with the red lead. When you do this test, a good ballast will return an “open-loop” or max resistance.
What does a fuel pump resistor do?
0:332:35Fuel Pump Ballast Resistor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis goes into the circuit just to drop the voltage may be from 12 volts to 10 volts or somethingMoreThis goes into the circuit just to drop the voltage may be from 12 volts to 10 volts or something like that and all it does is cut down on the noise.
How do you test a fluorescent light ballast?
0:292:33Fluorescent fixture ballest test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read openMoreYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read open line open line if you have an analog meter it should not move.
What are the advantages of using a ballast resistor?
The advantages of using this type of ballast resistors is that it gives a more precise current control than an appropriate fixed resistor . Another advantage is that the power lost in the resistive ballast gets reduced as a smaller portion of the overall power is dropped in the ballast compared to a fixed resistor.
What happens to the ballast resistor as the current increases?
As the current through the lamp increases, the ballast resistor gets heated up and the resistance thus increases with the rising temperature and the voltage drop across the resistor increases. If current decreases, the temperature of the ballast resistor goes down, its resistance and thus its voltage drop decreases.]
Why do cars have ballast resistors?
Nowadays car engines have a ballast resistor kit, along with the ignition kit, to protect the coils. Other application in the automotive area is the regulation of speed of a ventilation fan. In lamp circuits, these resistors are often used in series or in parallel to the lamp load. The two types of ballast resistor are fixed ...
How does a ballast resistor change?
These type of ballast resistors have the property of changing the resistance according to the change in current like an increase in current would increase its resistance and a decrease in current will decrease its resistance. These ballast resistors are often used in incandescent lamps. As the current through the lamp increases, the ballast resistor gets heated up and the resistance thus increases with the rising temperature and the voltage drop across the resistor increases. If current decreases, the temperature of the ballast resistor goes down, its resistance and thus its voltage drop decreases.]
How does an electric ballast work?
By doing so, they reduce the risk of either over voltage or over current in the circuit and thereby enhancing the stability of the system. Electric ballast varies greatly in complexity. It can be as simple as a resistor, capacitor, ...
What is an ignition ballast resistor?
Due to its application, such devices are called Ignition Ballast Resistor. Use of this device reduces the risk of coil failure. It is installed in the circuit between the primary voltage source for the ignition coil and the coil stud.
Why is a ballast resistor used?
A ballast resistor is used in a circuit to limit the current and hence prevent it from over current faults. Here, as the current in the circuit varies and increases above a particular threshold value, the resistance also starts to increase. This in turn decreases the current and protects the circuit from over current faults.
How does a Ballast Resistor Work?
The working of the ballast resistor is, whenever the current flow through the resistor increase then the temperature will be increased. So because of this temperature increase, the resistance will be increased. Thus, the increases within resistance will restrict the flow of current throughout the network.
Ballast Resistor Types
These resistors are available in two types fixed resistors & Self- variable resistors.
LED Circuit using Ballast Resistor
We know that a light-emitting diode is a very sensitive device. So, if the voltage supply which is applied to this is above the rated voltage, then the diode may get damaged. To overcome this problem, a ballast resistor is employed within an LED circuit which is shown below.
How many ohms does a ballast resistor test?
Sometimes a ballast resistor will test correctly at 3 ohms under a static, cold resistance test per above, but perform incorrectly under dynamic load on the bike. In such cases, the actual delivered resistance can deviate from the design spec.
How does a ballast resistor work?
Through clever wiring, the power to the coils is always routed through the ballast resistor unless the starter is spinning – in which case the ballast is by-passed. The resistance value of the ballast resistor is calibrated to deliver the 7V or so expected by the coils at idle. During starting, the ballast is by-passed and the full available voltage is routed to the coils. The beauty of this design is that you get quick starts AND long life for the components. I won’t go into the theory, but the ballast cleverly compensates somewhat for the ignition requirements required by changes in temperature and engine rpm.
How many volts does an alternator have?
Once the engine fires, the alternator (stator actually) comes online and battery voltage is regulated to approximately 14.5 Volts at normal cruise RPMs (voltage is less at lower RPMs). Without intervention, the coils which are optimized for 7-9 V would now be seeing the primary input voltage of 14+ volts. Clearly, this would cause problems of overheating and reduced life for ignition components. This is where the ballast resistor enters the picture.
What voltage is a GL1000?
The coils, ballast resistor, points and dual condenser of a GL1000 are optimized for proper ignition function by coils that are designed to deliver full secondary circuit energy pulses to the spark plugs with primary input circuit voltage of approximately 7-9 Volt s … not the 12 Volts that you might expect.
What is a stock ignition system?
The stock ignition system on a GL1000 is comprised of a carefully matched set of components. The principal ones are the coils, plugs, plug wires / caps, ballast resistor, points, and dual condensers. The battery, wiring harness, stator, rectifier, voltage regulator and associated switchgear are in the mix as well. All of these components must function harmoniously for good results. Points-type ignition systems are relatively simple to maintain and diagnose. They are also highly reliable and easy to repair when they do break. However, beneath the apparent simplicity of the design lies some very complex electrical theory.
What is a ballast resistor?
First, the ballast resistor is the long, white ceramic thing attached to the left side of the coil assembly. Basic function: the ballast resistor is a resistor contained in the primary ignition circuit wiring that lowers voltage after the engine is started to reduce wear on ignition components.
How many spark plugs does a goldwing need?
This clever design was chosen by the engineers to save weight and space. Thus, only 2 coils are required to fire 4 spark plugs. All without a distributor as in most cars of this era.
How Does A Ballast Resistor Work?
- The working of the ballast resistoris, whenever the current flow through the resistor increase then the temperature will be increased. So because of this temperature increase, the resistance will be increased. Thus, the increases within resistance will restrict the flow of current throughout the network. These resistors are used to start the engine...
Led Circuit Using Ballast Resistor
- We know that a light-emitting diodeis a very sensitive device. So, if the voltage supply which is applied to this is above the rated voltage, then the diode may get damaged. To overcome this problem, a ballast resistor is employed within an LED circuit which is shown below. The required components of this simple circuit are a LED, ballast resistor, and a battery. The connections of t…
Advantages
- The advantages of a ballast resistorinclude the following. 1. These resistors help in regulating the voltage & current within an electrical system. 2. This resistor protects the equipment from over voltage & over current occurrence. 3. These resistors reduce differences in current, applied voltage otherwise in the rest of an electric circuit.
Applications
- The applications of ballast resistorsinclude the following. 1. These resistors are used mostly in lighting & automotive applications. 2. These resistors are used in LED circuits, fluorescent lamps, and automotive applications. 3. The ballast within the HeNe laser is used for stabilization & restricting the tube current. So the ballast resistance normally used for most HeNe lasers is app…