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ballast resistor
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Topic: ballast resistor (Read 5972 times)
rob walker
Guest
ballast resistor
«
on:
July 25, 2008, 03:42:59 »
I am trying to get to the bottom of why I am having a hesitation at revs. The car is running elecronic ignition but the garage that is trying to sort the problem noticed that the ballast resistor is disconnected.
What impact would having the ballast resistor disconnected have when running electronic ignition?
Why would someone disconnect the ballast resistor anyway?
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mdsalemi
Pagoda SL Board
Platinum
USA, NC, Davidson
Posts: 7031
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #1 on:
July 25, 2008, 10:31:47 »
Rob,
Each electronic ignition system has it's own ballast requirements. Mine is disconnected now as there is enough ballasting per requirements in the coil itself.
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Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV
Benz Dr.
Vendor
Platinum
Canada, ON, Port Lambton
Posts: 7219
Benz Dr.
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #2 on:
July 25, 2008, 23:01:53 »
The ballast resistor protects the coil from overheating if you turn the key on and the points are closed. Since they're almost always closed when the engine is stopped the resistor is needed.
The electronic system has no points so there's no danger of coil over heating problems. The resistor reduces primary voltage going to the coil. Somewhere around 8 volts.
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1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn
1970 3.5 Coupe
1961 190SL
1985 300CD Turbo Coupe
1981 300SD
2013 GMC Sierra
1965 230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC
mdsalemi
Pagoda SL Board
Platinum
USA, NC, Davidson
Posts: 7031
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #3 on:
July 30, 2008, 06:40:25 »
While the COIL may not overheat with an electronic system, the
electronics
can; Pertronix specifically states do
NOT
leave your ignition ON or in the RUN position without the engine running.
Logged
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV
Mike Hughes
Full Member
Platinum
USA, VA, Blue Grass
Posts: 1748
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #4 on:
July 30, 2008, 13:23:48 »
Hi, Dan -
If the ballast resistor reduces promary voltage to the coil down to 8 volts, would bypassing the ballast resistor generate a hotter spark (stock points & condenser system)?
«
Last Edit: July 30, 2008, 13:25:01 by Mike Hughes
»
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- Mike Hughes -ô¿ô-
1966 230SL Auto P/S
Havana Brown (408)
Light Beige (181)
Cream M-B Tex (121)
Benz Dr.
Vendor
Platinum
Canada, ON, Port Lambton
Posts: 7219
Benz Dr.
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #5 on:
July 30, 2008, 16:30:51 »
It will produce a hotter spark and that's just what they did. On later 280SL's they ran a wire from the starter solenoid over to the coil. When you hit the starter the ballast resistor is by passed and it will send 12 volts ( or more ) directly to the coil to aid in starting. I think it works too because these cars generally start well if everything is working properly. The earlier cars can be a bit finicky by comparison.
Logged
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn
1970 3.5 Coupe
1961 190SL
1985 300CD Turbo Coupe
1981 300SD
2013 GMC Sierra
1965 230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC
Mike Hughes
Full Member
Platinum
USA, VA, Blue Grass
Posts: 1748
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #6 on:
July 30, 2008, 17:54:37 »
If one wanted to run a wire on an early car (like my 230SL) from the starter solenoid to the coil (to duplicate the late car starting aid) how would you recommend going about it?
Logged
- Mike Hughes -ô¿ô-
1966 230SL Auto P/S
Havana Brown (408)
Light Beige (181)
Cream M-B Tex (121)
Benz Dr.
Vendor
Platinum
Canada, ON, Port Lambton
Posts: 7219
Benz Dr.
Re: ballast resistor
«
Reply #7 on:
July 31, 2008, 22:24:48 »
I suppose you would run the wire from the starter solenoid to the coil. On the late solenoids there are two terminals - one of the ignition switch wire and one that runs to the coil. If you don't have two terminals on the solenoid you can hook the wire on at the junction box on the side of the oil pan. You could tie strap the wire to the positive battery cable running around the front of the engine.
Logged
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn
1970 3.5 Coupe
1961 190SL
1985 300CD Turbo Coupe
1981 300SD
2013 GMC Sierra
1965 230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC
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ballast resistor