john deere 2010 balast res.

lmnebr · Mar 24, 2022

found a strange thing on my sons 2010. the balast res is between the coil and the dist. should it not be on the battery side ??

Janicholson · Mar 24, 2022

It is a series circuit, so in a static, continuous circuit it would be moot. But the coil and condenser resonate as the points open. This should not have a resistor in that dynamic electronic interaction. It will probably work well enough to run, but in my opinion not as well as if it was before the coil. Jim

Determined · Mar 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 13:30:13 03/24/22) found a strange thing on my sons 2010. the balast res is between the coil and the dist. should it not be on the battery side ??

I can't say that I have ever seen one installed that way.

I am curious though.

Was the installer trying to accomplish something or was it done out of not knowing any better?

With it installed between the coil and distributor I can not think of any way without getting elaborate to wire in a resistor bypass circuit for starting it.

wore out · Mar 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 11:30:13 03/24/22) found a strange thing on my sons 2010. the balast res is between the coil and the dist. should it not be on the battery side ??

Yes you're correct, someone has mucked with it.

Some will argue that it doesn't matter, but the factory engineers must figure it does.

For the best spark duration from the coil "ringing" you would not want added resistance in the "tank circuit" of the coil and condenser.

I have never seen a single instance of a tractor, machine, vehicle, etc. with the ballast on the distributor side of the coil as it left the factory.

Russ from MN · Mar 24, 2022

Don't most of them bypass the resistor for starting? I'm pretty sure my Dodge truck did.

JMOR · Mar 24, 2022

Such does not address the resonance, since there is no condenser, but just for the record, some Petronix installation instructions place ballast resistor on power side of coil and others on ground side.
Another for those who are concerned about the HV needing to be negative, Petronix installations may be either way, depending on module, coil, and +/- battery ground, and if user has a particular combination, he can't do anything except accept a positive going HV spark. There are no absolutes, just as in "I had/have no choice".

John T · Mar 24, 2022

AS a past used tractor dealer I saw a ton of tractors with ballast and all the factory used the ballast BEFORE the coil NEVER between it and distributor. Sure it will still work but its most efficient as original

John T

Determined · Mar 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 14:30:09 03/24/22) Don't most of them bypass the resistor for starting? I'm pretty sure my Dodge truck did.

Yes most manufacturers install a bypass circuit for starting.

Wiring in a bypass would be harder and more expensive to do with the resistor between the coil and the distributor.

I pointed that out in support of my belief it is not installed correctly.

john deere 2010 balast res.

lmnebr

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Janicholson

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Determined

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wore out

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Russ from MN

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JMOR

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John T

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Determined

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