22 replies to this topic

[daenesh]

hello i have a 998 mini clubman 1978 and recently ive changed my engine to a 998 A+ (just the engine, wiring still the same) and im wondering if my Lucas Gold(with white top) requires a ballast? ive been using it without for a while now but just thought i should be sure.. my previous coil was a Bosch Red with Ballast fitted above it.. thanks guys

[jaydee]

No, it requires a 12V feed

[Cooperman]

When you see the damage caused by the ballast coil wiring it's no wonder they reverted to 12 v coil. A front loom melted by that 'effing pink wire' is not a pretty sight, nor easy to repair.

[daenesh]

yeah i have to say i feel you on that.. ive changed to the Lucas Gold cause i was told there was no balast.. made me feel much happier :)

[Cooperman]

The first re-wire I had to do because of the 'effing pink wire' was on my Sister-in Law's Mini 30. I had to collect it on my trailer and I reckon it took me 6 hours to re-wire inside the engine bay, using the correct colour-coded cable, to put it right. I fitted a 12 volt coil to prevent it from ever happening again. If she had been unable to do get the job done by her family I reckon it would have cost around £275 inc. labour & materials.

[dklawson]

I have no disagreement about the pink resistance wire causing problems.  That was a mistake that BL/Lucas made in cars like the Mini.  However, the ballast ignition system itself has benefits that are worth keeping.

 

If you want to keep using an existing ballast coil but are worried about the pink wire, fit an external ballast resistor like many other cars of the time did.  The ballast resistor is a ceramic brick looking part typically with (about) 1.8 Ohms of resistance.  You supply one of its terminals with +12V from the ignition switch, the other terminal is connected to coil (+) in place of the pink wire.  This will give you the benefits of the ballast system without the worries of the pink wire and for a bit less money than buying a 12V coil AND running the new wire anyway.  

[daenesh]

great feedback guys.. really help put my worries to bed.. thanks a bunch :)

[krusher74]

yeah i have to say i feel you on that.. ive changed to the Lucas Gold cause i was told there was no balast.. made me feel much happier :)

there is a ballast and non ballast gold lucas sports coil they just have different part numbers

[daenesh]

 

yeah i have to say i feel you on that.. ive changed to the Lucas Gold cause i was told there was no balast.. made me feel much happier :)

there is a ballast and non ballast gold lucas sports coil they just have different part numbers

 

 

do you happen to know the part numbers?

[Dan]

  The Lucas ballasted Sports Coil isn't usually gold, but I think there are gold ones.  It's not been around very long.

 

  12V Sports Coil, DLB 105

  Ballast Sports coil DLB 110.

Edited by Dan, 15 July 2013 - 06:51 AM.

[daenesh]

but either way both those coils 105 has a black top and 110 has a white top.. the 110 should have a ballast fitted inside right?

[daenesh]

http://www.minisport...nfo_DLB105.html

 

this is mine.. DLB105

[jaydee]

but either way both those coils 105 has a black top and 110 has a white top.. the 110 should have a ballast fitted inside right?

 

The dlb105 is white top and the coils dont have an extra ballast inside, they just have a different resistance

[daenesh]

 

but either way both those coils 105 has a black top and 110 has a white top.. the 110 should have a ballast fitted inside right?

 

The dlb105 is white top and the coils dont have an extra ballast inside, they just have a different resistance

 

 

so does that mean i need to use an external ballast? or did they put a different resistor to counter the use of a ballast?

[jaydee]

You sound a bit confused, there 2 coils, one works at 12V (called 'standard' coil) and the other works at 6-9V (called 'ballast' coil) 

The second one is feed by a resistor to put current at a lower voltage, the first one is feed by 12V live current.

 

You'll find more infos here

http://www.theminifo...esistor-system/

 

A lot more can be added about ohms of resistance and lucas leccy ignition, but the above are the basics anyway

Edited by jaydee, 15 July 2013 - 12:41 PM.