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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