Not all 12v coils are the same. They come in three distinct varieties. One runs on 12 volts, and that's it. One runs on 6 volts, and requires a ballast to do this (this is the common oem type). One runs on 12 volts, but has an internal ballast in the coil can to drop it down to about 6 volts. All are called 12 volt coils to ensure maximum confusion.
The 2nd one above is also sometimes referred to as a 6 volt coil. On vehicles with 6 volt electrical systems, you can then run down the above tree again with a 6 volt coil. Coils do not run hot. That's not normal. Warm is normal, but not hot. Especially not getting hot after a few minutes. This would lead me to believe the coil you have is of the second type listed above. It's a 12 volt unit, but designed to have an external ballast. Those electronic ignitions are all designed to run on 12 volts. That can create a little problem, as many points type ignitions have two leads coming to them. One giving the full 12 volts when cranking, the other dropping it down to 6 volts via a resistor wire or ballast once the engine is not being cranked over on the starter motor. The wiring instructions for them will give the necessary steps to ensure a full 12 volts comes to them. This means you have to be careful about using a ballasted coil with them. In fact, it's best to not use one. If you do, you've got to ensure that only the coil is ballasted, and not the ignition module. If you "overdrive" a ballasted coil it will survive...for a while. How long is a function of how well the coil can handle the heat. Some handle it well and go on for years. Others burn up in a matter of minutes. ----------------------------------------------------- The information contained in this communication may be confidential, is intended only for the use of the recipient named above, and may be legally privileged. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please re-send this communication to the sender and delete the original message and any copy of it from your computer system. Thank you. ----------------------------------------------------- <<<<GWIASIG 0.07>>>> *** http://www.team.net/the-local *** *** unsubscribe/change address requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or try *** http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool *** http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo *** Archives at http://www.team.net/archive *** Edit your replies!
