Lucas Sports Coil, WHAT type?

[types26/36]

hmm.... It says on the box: "For igintion systems without ballast resistor" I take it then I'm safe to take off the Lucas Sports gold coil and just plug in this one..?

Yes, assuming you do NOT have a balast resitor and you have a full 12v feed to the coil.
Brian

[thor]

There should be shouldn't there? with the lumenition fitted already.?There's no ballast resistor on the Lucas coil (gold sports type), not that I've ever really understood what one is anyway, except for it is usually connected on the outside of the coil, right?

[types26/36]

"]There should be shouldn't there? with the lumenition fitted already".?..............................................................

I would think so, easy way to check is with a volt meter with ign on.....should be 12v + at the feed to the coil.


" it is usually connected on the outside of the coil, right.."................................................

Usually yes and I think Lotus only used the external type mounted on or near the coil.
Brian

[thor]

I might be a bit thick, SORRY.., but the text on the Bosch coil means that there shouldn't BE one fitted in the circuit, rigth?, not that it's built-in to the coil. The gold Lucas one doesn't have a built-in one does it?

Thor

In 3rd gear but here displaying his CRAP electrical knowledge...

[types26/36]

I might be a bit thick, SORRY.., but the text on the Bosch coil means that there shouldn't BE one fitted in the circuit, rigth?, not that it's built-in to the coil. The gold Lucas one doesn't have a built-in one does it?

Thor

In 3rd gear but here displaying his CRAP electrical knowledge...

http://aa.bosch.de/advastaboschaa/Produ ... lication=1

Quote from the above website:
"12 V high-performance ignition coil without start-voltage enhancement."

Which means to me it has NOT got a resistor and does NOT need one, I do not know about the Lucas coil......sorry!
Brian

[thor]

Fab, I'm fitting it later,will give feedback on how the power feels and the affect on the tach......., unless I start a fire..

[thor]

Bosch blue coil bought now, the one in the "bad" section supposedly the best of those.... part number 0 221 102 082 (0 221 119 027), metal casing with blue stickers. Hopefully this is the one to make the Lumenition and tach perform as they should, and replace the lucas sports which looks like is bust. (engine cuts out completely occasionally when warm, usually in the middle of crossings..., will start again soon after).

Is this the right coil?

So, this coil has NOT got a ballast resistor, the Lucas gold one (marked LP12) I just took off, HAS one by the clamp. WHAT should I do, can I fit the Bosch or not?

pictures:

http://www.lotuselan.net/gallery/displa ... at=0&pos=0

Lucas coil:

http://www.lotuselan.net/gallery/displa ... at=0&pos=1

HEELP! I want to drive tomorrow.....

[types26/36]

See my other post in the +2 forum.
Brian

[thor]

So,as I said on the HELP etc..panic post answer, after fiddly fitting the result seems to be very smooth running, will post again after warm day in the city - test run tomorrow...Nice..(touch wood!)

[richboyd]

After some thought, I really like the idea of higher current while cranking (no resistance while starter engaged), but lower current while running (add in an external ballast resistor; save the points, cap, rotor, etc.).
I contacted Pertronix (Aldon in UK) by phone. They told me that the higher current would not hurt their Ignitor units - if only used for short periods of time (such as during starter motor operation). But they insist that the higher current will damage their Ignitor if appplied for any length of time.
Pertronix said that I should have less than 4 Amps current passing through their Ignitor during normal driving. This means that a 3 ohm ballast resistor (12V divided by 3 ohm equals 4 Ampere) must be used during normal driving (once I am finished using the starter motor).
The alternative is using a coil with a built-in resistance of 3 ohm. That would give me no current boost during starting. Bummer.
So, I am going to use a coil having zero internal resistance and wire-in 3 ohms of external resistance, which is by-passed when the starter motor is operating. I am going "back" to the old standard of a ballast-resistor system.

[prloz]

Hi richboyd9,
If you wish to use a `ballast' system, suggest obtaining a ballast type coil and matching ballast resistor.
Your calculation fails to take the primary resistance of the coil into account. Your 3 ohm external resistance will be far too high, resulting in excessive voltage drop across the resistor and little voltage across the coil during normal running.
Regards,
Peter.

[M100]

Another vote for getting a matched coil and ballast resistor.

The 12v/4A/3Ohm calculation is slightly suspect because you will get back emf from the coil and the current is non-continuous due to the "points" opening. You might find that with a 1 ohm resistor the average (assume RMS) current is below 4A.

[richboyd]

I appreciate the input on calculations of appropriate resistance. Thanks much.

Rich Boyd