Do Electronic Ignitions Need Ballast Resistors? - Fixanswer

No ballast resistor is used or required with HEI

. All you are doing with the ballast resistor is lowering the voltage to the HEI (and therefore output voltage to the plugs will be lower, with the possible result of misfire). Remove the ballast resistor when using the HEI.

Do I need a ballast resistor with MSD distributor?

How do I know if I have a ballast resistor?

What is a ballast resistor for a ignition coil?

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.

How do you wire a PerTronix electronic ignition?

First, if you have an external ballast resistor or resistance wire,

connect the red ignitor wire to the ignition wire prior to the ballast resistor or resistance wire

. Second, if you do not have a an external resistor you must connect the ignitor red wire to a 12-volt source that is controlled by the ignition switch.

How do you bypass a ballast resistor?

Does HEI distributor have points?

The HEI distributor is still an inductive-discharge ignition, but

exchanges points for an electronic device called a module

. Since this system produces more voltage and amperage output than a point-type ignition, it requires a larger-diameter cap to prevent voltage crossfire inside the distributor cap.

How do you convert a point distributor to electronic ignition?

Does MSD coil increase horsepower?

You will see

negligible increase

with MSD coils. Headers will make a huge difference.

Can you hook up a ballast resistor backwards?

Resistors lack polarity.

There is no backwards

.

What happens if you dont use ballast resistor?

An ignition system with breaker points will surely suffer from

reduced point life

if the ballast resistor is removed, as higher amperage can damage the surface of the points causing failure.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

How do you hook up a PerTronix distributor?

How do I know if my PerTronix Ignitor is bad?

Check sticker on the backside of module “Ignitor by PerTronix” If the Sticker is shriveled up, wrinkled, cracked, or if you see any burn marks on that side of module the unit over heated and failed for various reasons. DO NOT USE SOLID CORE SPARK PLUG WIRES.

How does the PerTronix Ignitor work?

“The points operate mechanically with a rubbing block that rubs on a small cam in the distributor. This rubbing block wears, which changes the timing and the point gap, altering both the performance and the amount of spark available,” Don explains.

How does an HEI distributor get power?

What is the difference between HEI distributor and points?

Since

an HEI system produces more voltage and amperage output than a points-style distributor

, a larger-diameter distributor cap is needed to prevent voltage from cross-firing inside the cap. If you’re thinking about an upgrade, make sure your vehicle has enough clearance between the engine and firewall.

Does HEI ignition add horsepower?

Can you replace a distributor with electronic ignition?

When converting from points to electronic ignition, you’ve got two options.

You can either convert your existing distributor, or you can install a new distributor

. Advance Auto Parts offers kits that allow you to remove the old points components from inside your distributor and replace them with new ones.

Does electronic ignition need a condenser?

Electronic ignition does away with the need for a traditional condenser and points

, so these need to be removed by unscrewing them from the distributor base-plate.

How does an electronic ignition distributor work?

An electronic ignition system is a type of ignition system that works electronic circuits, usually by transistors.

The transistors are controlled by sensors to generate electric pulses which then generate a high voltage spark that can burn the lean mixture and provide a better economy and lower emission

.

What is the advantage of MSD Ignition?

Easier starting, improved throttle response, reduced plug fouling, more power and increased fuel economy

are all benefits from the 6A’s high energy multiple spark strikes. Unlike the stock-type inductive ignition systems, MSD ignitions incorporate capacitive discharge technology.

Is a higher voltage coil better?

Are Upgraded ignition coils worth it?

Does it matter which way a resistor faces?

No the resistors are bidirectional and can therefore be used in both directions

. Do not go wrong with the colored lines, it’s just to say the approximate resistance. The resistors are purely passive components and have a linear response when the voltage is applied to one or the other polarity.

How many ohms should a ballast resistor have?

Which way should a resistor face?

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.

What can I use instead of a resistor?

Explained another way: an electrical circuit that has a difference of 2 volts, with 1 Ampere of current flowing through it, has a resistance of 2 Ohms. All electrically conductive materials are somewhat resistive, too. Because of this, even a good electrical conductor, such as

metal wire

, can be used as a resistor.

What does a fuel pump ballast resistor do?

Does a Mallory Unilite require a ballast resistor?

When using the Mallory unilite distributor part #(4768901) and

if your using with a coil that has less than 1.2 ohms than you DO need a ballast resister

. If your using one thats over 1.2 ohms than you don’t need one.