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Coil - Ballast?

To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Coil - Ballast?
From: Tom Harvey <tom@tomh.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 18:31:57 +0100
Hi all,

On my way to the TSSC International Weekend today in my Spitfire 1500, I 
had an 'all systems stop' situation on the Wolverhampton ring-road. 
After some poking about it turns out my ignition coil had given up, but, 
as luck would have it, I had come to a stop outside the local Halfords 
superstore (mixed blessing really).

Anyway, without a lot of choice, I took the defunct coil, (an Intermotor 
Ballast 11050, whatever that is), asked the staff at Halfords for a 
straight replacement and was given a shiny new Lucas DLB102, as the 
standard Spitfire 1500 replacement. Now, I have no idea what the 
previous owner of my car did, but my engine is not the original, and 
although it is a Triumph 1500 engine, it always seems to need 'non 
Spitfire' parts so I asked if this was a 12v ballast coil, and the same 
as the one I took off, but no-one knew what I was talking about. In my 
ignorance, and desperation, I purchased it (at about twice the price 
that they were being sold at the TSSC event) and, miracle, it started 
up.

After a pleasant day in the sun (although a little burnt), surrounded by 
a miriad of other Triumph beauties (and ogres etc) I am now home, and 
still confused.  I have driven about 50 miles with the replacemnt coil, 
and noticed no problems. I understand vaguely how a coil works, but can 
someone tell me in idiot terms what a ballast coil is, what difference 
there is to a non-Ballast coil, and whether using one that isn't, or 
vice versa, will cause any problems? Should a 1500 have a Ballast coil?

Many thanks,
Tom.
-- 
Tom Harvey___________________________________________________________
http://www.harveyzone.com/                 Home: tom(a)harveyzone.com

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