Bypassing the Ballast Resistor

[wish4hemi]

I put a new Accel Breakerless SuperStock coil (http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/8145C/10002/-1) on my 440 with the Mopar Performance electronic ignition kit. After putting about 50 miles on the new coil, the ballast resistor (1.2 ohm) supplied with the MP kit burned up. I tried another 1.2 ohm and a 0.8 ohm and they both fried almost immediately.

For now, I have the ballast resistor bypassed and the car is running great. Does anybody know if the Accel Breakerless coil has an internal resistor?

I can't find any information on whether I should be running a ballast resistor with it or not. The way it is running now, I would rather not have one on there.

 

[jerry6]

that one runs .7 ohms ,and it should use ballast , the 8140 and 8140m run at 1.4 ohms

8145
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-8145C/

8140m

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-8140M/

might be something else wrong as ballast should not blow that quickly the .8 ohm ballast should have worked

 

[srduster340]

In the latest issue of Mopar Muscle the author states you don't need one unless you have points.

 

[DA69RT GT]

I read that as well...
anybody have any insight on this?????

 

[jimmyray]

The 4 wire ECU's uses the full battery voltage, and the ballast is only for the coil. If you get a coil that does not need a ballast, bypass it.

The article simplistically assumes that all coils can run off 12 volts. The Accel Super Stock canister coil, for example, will burn up without a ballast, I learned that firsthand, 1.5 miles from home. (had to walk it!)

Whether you need a ballast depends on the coil. Make sure about your coil. The HEI style coils don't need one,for example.

In the illustration below, the "start" position of your key sends 12 volts directly to the coil. The Run position send 12 volts to the Ballast, which drops the voltage to the coil to about 5 volts.

 

[Rice Nuker]

great! So, running a 12v E core would eliminate all need for ballast.. nice thread.