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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