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12 volt coil?

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T in Texas

06-24-2002 18:02:53




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I recently bought a '47 model 8N. (front mount distributor) It has been changed to 12v system. It had been rigged with a car type coil. I replaced the plugs,points, condenser, & coil. I burned up the first coil by hooking a 6v coil to the system (duh). I went to get another one & asked about a resistor, the New Holland dealer sold me a 12v coil that fits like the original. It is running great now, but is it true that I don't need a resistor at all with the 12 volt coil? (not a mechanic & new to this stuff, didn't take long to get the fever after messing with the 8N & reading this sight though).
Thanks for any advice
T

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Dell (WA)

06-24-2002 19:43:40




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 Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to T in Texas, 06-24-2002 18:02:53  
Texas T..... .....did you know your frontmount coil was filled with black gold? .....er.... insulative tar? And did you know that if that tar gets too hot, it will melt and short out some of the coil windings? And do you know what shorted coil windings will do to your sparkies? And do you know what weak sparkies will do to running of your N-gine?

And do you want to know what I recommend to prevent weak 12 volt frontmount sparkies? I recommend a 1/2 ohm 10 watt current limiting resistor as the only resistor in line to the frontmount 12 volt coil terminal. This will prevent overheating of your 12 volt frontmount coil and subsequent melting of the insulative tar. You CAN NOT get this secret trick resistor from any tractor parts emporium. Get it from Radio Shack (or eqv).

Early frontmount converters, dissatisfied with the OEM 6 volt frontmount coil performance, tried all sorts of work-around kluges such as you describe. They worked but certainly were not elegant and did leave something to be desired especially for the newbie electrically challenged tractor owner.

What ever you do, DO NOT USE the infamious "ballast resistor" on the backside of dashpanel with your 12 volt frontmount ignition coil. It is the WRONG value and will give you weak sparkies.

If you do not understand what I have explained, please feel free to ask for clarification..... .....Dell

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T in Texas

06-25-2002 17:44:10




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 Re: Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to Dell (WA), 06-24-2002 19:43:40  
Dell, thanks I think I understand all of that. I'll get to Radio Shack first chance I get. The resistor you describe goes inline on the hot wire to the coil, right?
Thanks for you help for this & many other things I have learned reading your comments to others.
T.



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roperboy

06-25-2002 08:04:24




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 Re: Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to Dell (WA), 06-24-2002 19:43:40  
hi dell, i have a ballast resistor mounted on the back side of the dash where the original mounts for use with my 12v frontmount coil. i got it at an auto parts store. it is a beefier resistor from a plymouth i think. anyway, it works great but should i be using the one you describe?



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if it ain't broke . . . Dell (WA)

06-25-2002 09:17:19




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 Re: Re: Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to roperboy, 06-25-2002 08:04:24  
I said . . . . "What ever you do, DO NOT USE the infamious "ballast resistor" on the backside of dashpanel with your 12 volt frontmount ignition coil. It is the WRONG value and will give you weak sparkies" . . . .

Since I don't have a clue what the value of the chrysler resistor you are using is.....and since it is working for you..... .if it ain't broke, don't fix it..... ..leave well enough alone and be gratefull someone did it right..... ...Dell

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DSTR...same for the side mount?...Terry Alexander

06-25-2002 06:00:17




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 Re: Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to Dell (WA), 06-24-2002 19:43:40  
Dell (or others)....I have posted a lot of queries here and (sometimes) got the "mind reading" sermon.

In Dell's response, he references the original poster's front mount distributor.

Question: Does your response also apply to the 8N side mount distributor? I have the infamous "ballast resistor" and don't seem to have any problems. (I have replaced a couple of coils....but I chalked that up to normal "wear and tear").

TIA and BTW....DSTM is Don't Shoot The Messenger!

Terry Alexander - 1950 8N

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no . . . Dell (WA)

06-25-2002 06:29:48




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 Re: Re: Re: 12 volt coil? in reply to DSTR...same for the side mount?...Terry Alexander, 06-25-2002 06:00:17  
Terry..... ...I never shoot the messager on purpose (grin)

1st) the OEM roundcan sidemount 6 volt 8N NEVER had a ballast resistor.

2nd) some 12 volt conversions use a 12 to 6 volt dropping resistor so that they can continue to use the OEM 6 volt sidemount roundcan coil. This is the "cheap" way to convert. The 12 to 6 volt resistor is NOT a ballast resistor (which has special heat related operating properties).

3rd) If I were to convert my eazy starting sidemount 6 volt 8N to 12 volts, I'd use a real 12 volt coil and NO 12 to 6 volt resistor. I'd probably get a real 12 volt "hot-rod" coil with extra high sparkies output.

4th) There are 12 volt coils available for use with a ballast resistor. I would NOT use one of those.

5th) There are 12 volt coils available with "built-in" resistors to make what is really a 6 volt coil into a 12 volt coil. Thats dumb. I want all my volts going directly to make sparkies, not hotting up an internal resistor and subsequently the coil.

Hope this explains my thoughts on sidemount 12 volt coils ..... .....Dell

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