Questions and Answers

Ignition Coils And Voltages Q. Hello Vince, First of all I really enjoy your web site. I was wondering if you could clarify the following. If a person uses a 1.5 ohm ignition coil with a resistor wire that reduces the voltage down to 6 volts DC at the primary plus side of the coil would you get the same results in coil output or performance as using a 3 ohm ignition coil without any resistor wire or ballast and get 12 volts at the plus side of the coil.

I had reference to a distributor with points and condenser that has been converted over to an electronic igniter if that makes any difference.

Thank you,
Jack

A. There is a formula to figure this out which escapes me at the moment. But I think this is a case of making it harder than it has to be.

Since I don't know what you want to do with this, I can only answer in general terms. If an application calls for a 12 volt 1.5 ohm (primary or secondary?) coil, that is what you should use. Likewise if it calls for a 6 volt 3.0 ohm coil, that is what you should use.

Offhand, the only vehicles that I can think of right now that used a ballast resistor are Chrysler products. They ran the ignition points at a lower voltage to prolong the life of the points and reduce contact burning.