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Ballast resistance question

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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 04:28 PM
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Default Ballast resistance question

I am in the process of installing a Crane XR-i electronic points replacement kit and the first thing it says when I read the directions is that I have to verify the ballast resistance. I do not have a volt-ohm meter and am curious if this is something I really need to check. I do have an Accel Super Stock (#8140) on there. Would the car run properly if the resistance was wrong? Something I should worry about?
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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 05:27 PM
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I'd just replace the ballast resistor. They aren't expensive.
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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 08:12 PM
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Ballast resistor was last used on the 67 model year. There is a white braided wire that replaces the resistor.
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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 10:11 PM
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The resistance in your resistor wire (integral with your harness) is 1.3 ohms. This will drop the voltage to your coil to about 7 volts when running. You need to bypass this resistance when using a Crane system - it runs on a full 12 volts in order to get the maximum benefit from the system.
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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 10:40 PM
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http://cranecams.com/pdf/90001700b.pdf
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Old Feb 25, 2006 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
The resistance in your resistor wire (integral with your harness) is 1.3 ohms. This will drop the voltage to your coil to about 7 volts when running. You need to bypass this resistance when using a Crane system - it runs on a full 12 volts in order to get the maximum benefit from the system.
Had the same issue with my MSD distributor. I ran a hot from my ignition switch to the + on coil. Works Great!!! EDIT!!!! CHECKED the above website and your system looks like it does require ballast resistance. Mine didn't

Last edited by 63mako; Feb 25, 2006 at 11:56 PM.
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Old Feb 26, 2006 | 10:41 AM
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I finally found the internal resistance in the Accel coil on their faq site. It has 1.2 ohms, which is what Crane suggests is the minimum. So, I hooked one wire to each side of the coil and everything seems to be fine.
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Old Feb 26, 2006 | 11:22 AM
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So.....with the engine running....how many volts are you showing at the + side of the coil?

Edit. ....Sorry, just re-read your first post and see you don't have a volt meter.

Last edited by goinbroke; Feb 26, 2006 at 11:26 AM.
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