9 replies to this topic

[scrippo]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a coil for my ignition and need to decide which one I need. Looking around I've noticed that they come in various types.

My questions are;

1. What is a ballast?
2. What does it do?
3. Do I really need one? Presumably the answer to this is no if some coils come in pre ballast.
4. Any advantages/disadvantages if I do/don't have one?

Any tips on how to wire up the coil would also be useful, I'm working a bit blind on this one, don't really know where to start.


The car was a 998cc 1983 Mayfair to give you an idea of the wiring I have, but the engine is an A+ 1380 if this helps. I will be upgrading to electronic ignition eventually but can't afford it yet, so if there's a coil out there that is future proof that will be helpful.

[Nightrain]

You can convert to a proper coil easy if you want to, always a good idea imho. Get a normal 12 volt coil, run a positive feed from the fuse box (switched side) to the + side of the coil. DON'T connect up the thick White/pink wire (ballast resister) and tape it up. I personally always remove the wire totally. If your planning to convert to electronic ignition later on you'd have to do this anyway and buy another coil, so may as well do it now.

[scrippo]

Cheers.

Can I use the existing wiring that's already on the loom or do I need to make a new wire?

[jaydee]

Nope, youll'need a new wire, as nightrain said above, running from a point in the fusebox which provides 12v feed with ignition switched on to the + lead of the coil. Its an easy job.

[scrippo]

Any idea what amperage of wire I should buy? I have some 10 amp knocking around, will this suffice?

John

[Dan]

Ballasting is an excellent and simple system that massivley improves cold weather starting of engines. It is very worthwhile having ballasted ignition.

[Nightrain]

As dan has said above there great when done correctly, trouble is rover never did ! All will that happen in the long run, is it'll burn/melt half your wiring harness. As they get older the resistance in the wire increases, causing it to get hot melting itself and any other wires around it. Fords etc have a proper resister.....

[scrippo]

So let me get this straight. The ballast is a thicker wire? That's why you need a different one to go non ballast?

[Nightrain]

Because the wire is the resister, you need a normal wire with minimal resistance.

[Ethel]

The ballast wire is special resistance wire, doesn't look any different from the outside. you may be lucky and find your Mini already has an unballasted feed taped up in the look near the coil, give it a squeeze 'n see if you can feel a spade connecter.