21 replies to this topic

[Marriott]

Apologies if this has been asked already. I've recently bought a new electronic distributor and I want to swap it with the old points/condenser one I have now, I understand that the coil I'm using will need to be changed from the current one however I'm unsure which model I should go for. My wiring loom is off a slightly older car I think so im not sure if its ballast or non, what type will I need to avoid melting my nice new distributor. P.S ive read that a 12Volt coil is needed but is strictly on ballast systems only Any help is much appreciated

[GraemeC]

https://www.minispar...|Back to search

 

Use with 12V, not a ballast supply.

[cal844]

You need to convert to 12v coil. Quite easy really, all you need cis a piggy back spade connector, a length of appropriate size wire.

Connect the piggy back spade to the wire, then fit it to a terminal with the white wires at the fuse box.

The other end of this wire goes to coil +.

You also need a GCL143 type coil (this is an old Unipart number but can be cross referenced.

Edited to add::

You also need to remove and bin the white/yellow from the coil and starter.

Edited by cal844, 06 January 2021 - 02:11 PM.

[Marriott]

Great, thanks for your help guys. I'll get the coil ordered :) Any requirements for the wire or can I use normal stuff Cheers

[steeley]

http://classicmini.w...ing-a-coil.html


If you have a white and pink and a white and yellow to +be side of coil it’s ballast, if you have a single white it’s non ballast

I think ballast systems were fitted from 1984 to1990 (1992 for 998)

Edited by steeley, 06 January 2021 - 01:17 PM.

[GraemeC]

Standard PVC cable - 14/0.30, 1.0mm², 8.75A

Thin wall cable - 16/0.20, 0.5mm², 11.0A

 

These would be more than enough for the LT ignition circuit.

[GraemeC]

Thanks AC - so that coil is happy even when supplied constantly with a full 12V? No fear of it burning out?

[cal844]

The GCL 143 coil worked on my 998 with a 65D dizzy for 6 years, it failed when it was dropped during storage when we changed the clutch.

That tells me that a GCL143 coil works perfectly well with this distributor.

I've since had to change the modern equivalent of that coil 3 times due to failure under load.

Just my findings in 10 years of minis, lucky perhaps?

Since AC has more experience than I, use the link in his post.

Regards

Cal

Edited by ACDodd, 19 April 2026 - 01:49 PM.

[croc7]

Now I'm really confused as I'm a dunce when it comes all of this ignition voltage requirement stuff. The link in the reply by Steely states that the 1.5V coil "would burn out quickly if operated constantly at 12 volts", so system has a ballast resistor to supply 12V to the coil during start-up. The Viper coil description says to use their 1.5V coil but with ballast resistor. Ac says to use the 1.5V Viper coil but without the ballast resistor. So then, the 1.5V coil will not burn out under constant 12V usage (that the ignition module will be OK) and the ballast resistor is not required for use with the 65D?? Have I got this right?

Edited by ACDodd, 19 April 2026 - 01:50 PM.

[cal844]

That clears that up perfectly! I apologise for my small rant (if that's how I came across).

What would be a suitable part number that I can use to source a coil for the 65D distributor (12v, non ballast car)?

Thanks and regards

Cal

Edited by ACDodd, 19 April 2026 - 01:51 PM.

[ACDodd]

I gave a suitable link above.

Ac

[croc7]

Thanks, Ac. Makes more sense now. I had a 65D on the Metro A Plus 1275 that worked quite well, then was lured into the grasp of the 123 dizzy. Thinking of going back to the original equipment and now will give it a go with the Viper 1.5V coil, without the ballast resistor set-up.

Edited by ACDodd, 19 April 2026 - 01:52 PM.

[ACDodd]

Croc7, just make sure it has the right advance curve.

Ac

[Ethel]

I know AC knows his stuff, but that's contrary to the Rover manual that specifies 0.71 to 0.81 ohms for the primary winding.

 

1.5ohms would drop the voltage reaching the ignition module, but also increase the difference in potential with +ve supply. Way out of my depth, but transistors are operated by gate, or base, voltage changing, relative to what's across the source/emitter  & collector/drain aren't they?

 

Obviously they must cope with what cranking the starter, alternator etc does to the voltage.

[Ethel]

Got it (I think).

 

So a new GCL143 is likely to have even less resistance at some point?