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| | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 | I'm wiring in a new harness. Truck is converted to 12v and no longer has points. Running a 1-wire GM alternator. Do I still need a ballast resistor or can I now do without it? Thanks,
Jonny | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 339 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 339 | If you are running electronic dizzy, no you do not need the ballast resistor. root | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 | If you are running electronic dizzy, no you do not need the ballast resistor. root No, I am not running an electronic distributor... So does that mean I do need it?
1950 Chevy 3600 w/ 54 235 motor
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 | Truck is converted to 12v and no longer has points. If it's not running points, what sort of ignition system does it have? Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
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| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Root and Jerry are asking if you have HEI or Pertronix, for example. If you don't have any of that, you must have a magneto! Otherwise this whole thing is "pointless" 
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,279 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,279 | BOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Bad bartamos!
Last edited by 52Carl; 07/23/2015 3:08 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 |
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | Some electronic conversions use a ballast resistor. A Pertronics distributor is direct 12 volts. However some Pertronics conversions use a resistor. I have a Mallory conversion in my 57 that uses a ballast resistor. You need to determine what type of "no points" conversion you have and go from there.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 | looks like a standard point distributor as much as one can see of it.
And it looks like a ballast on the fire wall.
Can you provide the blue coil part number and model or look to see if it identifies requirement for external resistor/ballast.
A ballast resistor was added to allow boost to voltage on start up, the coils were basically 6 or 9 volt coils and needed a drop during normal running and would get the full voltage with key in start position.
A true 12V coil does not use a ballast, but 12V systems can be either way so it is what coil type is used. If you use a ballast on a 12V coil you will have a weak spark, using a ballast coil with out a ballast will provide a hot spark but coil and point will likely burn out rapid.
Again what is marked on the coil?
Baking in the nice desert sun, breathing life back into a 48 3800 5 window.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | Bartmos, I think your funny, but more importantly, you give good advice. Keep up the good work!
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 | Yea the funny stuff come with old age, the older the more the mind wanders.
Baking in the nice desert sun, breathing life back into a 48 3800 5 window.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Looks like the resistor (ballast) is disconnected. Do you have a 6V or 12V coil? Is it internal or external resisted?
I don't see any power to the coil?
Here are some issues you need to read up on:
Basic car wiring
Basic truck electrical circuitry, including ignition
12V conversion
We all have to study a problem like this all the time. This is no disrespect to you. But you may be heading into a task without trying to study first. True we can help but it will be confusing getting bits a pieces from those who can't see or tell what you have and you may not know what they are saying. Sort out what way you want to design your 12V conversion regarding ignition/starter/electrical generation as a separate issue from general lighting and the rest of the harness.
Thank you Beltfed for the comment.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 | Upon looking at the coil my question was answered. It states a resistor is required. I guess I should do better with my reading. Thanks guys,
1950 Chevy 3600 w/ 54 235 motor
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | It does look like a stock distributor and it is determined that the coil is designed to use a ballast resistor. However, does it use points or is a conversion? Remove the cap and determine which it is. I also don't see complete wiring to the coil for it to run.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 69 | Gentlemen,
Thank you for the responses. It is only partially hooked up because one of the spades was broken so the wire fell out... I'll get the requested information when I get home tonight. Thanks!
1950 Chevy 3600 w/ 54 235 motor
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | There is another post from poster re: this issue and should be combined somehow. see "new wiring questions"
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
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