Where is the ballast resistor connected?
In a car engine, a ballast resistor is used in the ignition system. And it is known as an ignition ballast resistor. Generally, an ignition ballast resistor is placed between the primary source of the ignition coil and coil stud. It reduces the failure risk of the ignition coil.
Does my coil need a ballast resistor?
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 does a ballast resistor do on a coil?
A Ballast Resistor is an electrical device that reduces voltage to the coil so that more energy is available for the spark plugs during starting.
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.
How can you tell if a ballast resistor is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Ballast ResistorVehicle starts, then immediately dies. The most obvious symptoms will be the vehicle starts, but then immediately dies as soon as you release the key. ... Not starting at all. ... Don't jump the resistor. ... Let the vehicle be.
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.
Does a ballast resistor reduce voltage?
The ballast resistor, supplies the needed voltage during the start up, and then immediately after the arc is established, it reduces the voltage in addition to regulating the current flow.
Does a 12 volt coil need a resistor?
When a 6 volt ignition system is converted to 12 volts either a 12 volt coil must be installed or a resistor installed in the circuit to reduce the coil voltage to 6 volts. The resistor regulates the voltage, keeping it at 6 volts, allowing the original 6 volt coil to be used in a 12 electrical system.
Does it matter which way a resistor is installed?
Even though it doesn't matter which way you place your resistor, current flows from positive to negative. While resistors don't have their own polarity they will typically be part of a circuit that does, thanks to other components like capacitors. In a DC circuit, the current will always flow in only one direction.
How do you know which way a resistor goes?
Always read resistors from left to right. - Resistors never start with a metallic band on the left. If you have a resistor with a gold or silver band on one end, you have a 5% or 10% tolerance resistor. Position the resistor with this band on the right side and again read your resistor from left to right.
Which way do you install a resistor?
If you are asking from the point of view of the polarity, a resistor does not have polarity, so, technically you can put it in any direction.
Does a 12 volt coil need a resistor?
When a 6 volt ignition system is converted to 12 volts either a 12 volt coil must be installed or a resistor installed in the circuit to reduce the coil voltage to 6 volts. The resistor regulates the voltage, keeping it at 6 volts, allowing the original 6 volt coil to be used in a 12 electrical system.
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.
How do I know if I have a ballast coil?
To find out for sure, use a multimeter to check the voltage on the positive wire of the coil with the ignition on. Around 9v means you have a ballast, around 12v means you don't.
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 to know if a ballast resistor is working?
The only way to really know whether or not the ballast resistor is doing its job, is to take it for a drive and see the smoothness of the ride.
Why use a ballast resistor?
In the years when engines were a lot easier to work with, a ballast resistor was used in order to prolong the life of the coil. In a points type ignition, the ballast resistor would help to keep the spark down, and the coil from being burned up too quickly.
How to attach ballast resistor to firewall?
To do this, you need to drill small holes. Hold the resistor up to the firewall and mark the holes where the clamps will go. Set a drill in the place, and carefully drill the pilot holes for the screws.
How to connect a positive wire to a resistor?
Make sure to attach securely to the connecting terminal, by wrapping the wire around the post and tightening with a screwdriver.
Where is the condenser located?
The condenser is a small canister that handles some of the load of the current. It is located with the ballast resistor on the firewall. Install it the same way as the resistor. Once it is located on the firewall, connect the positive wire from the ignition to the terminal.
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.
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 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.
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 does it mean when your ignition contact points are closed?
If the high reading is lower than expected and also the same as the low reading, this means that both of your ignition contact points are “closed” and both coils are energized at the same time. That is “bad” and should never happen with properly adjusted points, but can happen when the adjustment is out of whack. For now, remove the points cover and rotate the engine until you can verify that only one set of points is closed, then repeat the test detailed in #8. Later, you will want to make sure your points and timing are properly adjusted as explained here.
What happens when two spark plugs share the same coil?
When 2 spark plugs share the same coil, a slight degradation in one spark plug can affect the other plug’s performance.
Can a Honda ballast fail?
The symptom is a bike that starts easily but dies as soon as you release the starter button. If any of you owned Chrysler cars during the 60s and 70s, you are no doubt familiar with this common problem! Fortunately, the Honda ballast is very reliable and catastrophic failure is rare.
What is ballast resistor?
HEY LEAD FOOT: The ballast resistor is used with 12 volt point condenser ignition systems to reduce votage across points from 12 to 6 to keep from burning points. I had a backfiring problem in my street rod on a SBC 350. I reduced idle RPM and retarted advance a couple of degrees and it appears to be running fine. I would suggest checking timing with light as a good place to start. GOOD LUCK....DAVE
Why put a resistor after a coil?
Placing it after the coil will reduce the voltage to the points. The problem with that is that coils designed to be used with a resistor are not made to be run on 12 volts constant. They will overheat and fail. Placing the resistor after the coil does nothing to the voltage going into the coil .
Can you run an ignition without a resistor?
In summary, never run points ignitions without a resistor in the feed wire to the + terminal on the coil.
Does resistance affect coil voltage?
Also, doesn't matter where the resistance is in the system, it will reduce the voltage on the coil.
Does prime go before coil?
Prime is right on the money. The resister goes before the coil. Placing it after the coil will reduce the voltage to the points. The problem with that is that coils designed to be used with a resistor are not made to be run on 12 volts constant. They will overheat and fail. Placing the resistor after the coil does nothing to the voltage going into the coil. It only reduces the voltage after the resistor.
Why is a ballast resistor often found in older vehicles?
The ballast resistor is commonly found in older vehicles, because they did not have the benefit of circuit boards found in most of today’s vehicles. Over time, the ballast resistor can be damaged by normal wear and tear, so there are a few things to look for when you suspect a bad or failing ballast resistor needs servicing.
What happens if a ballast resistor is bad?
If your ballast resistor is bad, your vehicle will not run and you will have to have it towed to the mechanic’s shop. By using the professionals at YourMechanic, you will be able to cut down on towing costs because they make house calls.
Can you jump a resistor?
Don’t jump the resistor. Some people try to jump the resistor, which means you bypass the ballast resistor and the extra current goes to the points. The points are not designed to take this extra voltage, which causes them to wear out and fail prematurely.
Is it dangerous to replace a ballast resistor?
This will give you a much more extensive repair than if you had the ballast resistor replaced in the beginning. Furthermore, it can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you are doing, because you are messing with electricity.