CX Coil Woes

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 02 Nov 2011, 21:35

Hi Folks

just joined, hope I'm in the right place to post this. My cx is causing me much grief of late. The latest is that the ballast resistor has snapped, it starts if I bypass the resistor. I have a new ballast resistor coil to go on, but no resistor. My question is, can I get a new resistor, or can I use a non ballast resistor coil? Its series 1 cx reflex that I foolishly use as a daily.....

any help would be gratefully received

many thanks

Steve

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:08

Steve,

Welcome

I'd reckon a standard 12V automotive ballast resistor should be OK. Don't run without else you'll burn out the coil... This one here on the 'bay might do maybe?

If not, a big heavy-duty wirewound resistor intended for electronics use should be a good substitute if you can't get the genuine article. We just need to know the value of the proper resistor... We just need a CX owner to get his ohmmeter out and read one...

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:18

We just need a CX owner to get his ohmmeter out and read one...

Tell me more, I have an Athena with the same engine as Steve's Reflex.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:20

robert_e_smart wrote:
We just need a CX owner to get his ohmmeter out and read one...
Tell me more, I have an Athena with the same engine as Steve's Reflex.

Then you're just the chap then Robert!!!

To read it, disconnect the battery and the wire on the + side of the coil, switch your ohmmeter to the lowest ohms setting, switch on the ignition and read the resistance between the battery positive lead and the coil + lead. The reading will be the value of the ballast resistor...

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:23

Right, I'll give that a go tomorrow if I remember.

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:38

Thanks Guys

I appreciate the advice

steve

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 02 Nov 2011, 22:55

Forgot to say, im sure my new coil had the ohm rating on it, might save robert a job

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 03 Nov 2011, 17:45

HI Folks

just checked my new coil, its rated 0.9 ohm for the resistor......

thanks

Steve

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 03 Nov 2011, 18:54

I forgot to check mine, do you still need me to?

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 03 Nov 2011, 18:57

Hi Robert

Thanks for the offer, I think I just need to find a suitable replacement ballast resistor now. I've got the battery on charge as it went flat having the coil straight to the battery, I forgot to take off one night.......doh!

all best

Steve

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 03 Nov 2011, 20:17

Steve,

Here's a big, hairy 1 ohm resistor that will do the job a treat...

0.9 ohms is a non-preferred value but 1 ohm should be fine and 50W power rating should be good too. It has it's own heatsink so bolt it to a piece of alloy sheet attached to something and you'll be well away...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 03 Nov 2011, 20:24

I forget exactly what we were up to at the time but one of the engineers I worked with chained around 20 of those and applied some juice to the mess. Mains, IIRC.

They exploded like hand grenades, it was pure luck that no-one was injured.

This was of course not using them in their intended application.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 03 Nov 2011, 21:46

That's engineers for you Steve...

Great fun

If we can make something go bang or explode we will...

As a kid I found that big electrolytic capacitors thrown onto a bonfire were quite satisfactory in the ornamental explosion department...

Mind you, they went off a lot better if you connected them across the mains....

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 04 Nov 2011, 11:57

Thanks for all help.........I'll crack on with this and let you know how I get on

cheers

Steve

steveholl · Unread post by **steveholl** » 05 Nov 2011, 09:44

Hi folks,

Well.....it is now running sweetly.. I got a big 150watt 1 ohm resistor from rs components, and put a new coil in as well. The old one was probably as old as the car...after initially wiring up the wrong way it started and rose majestically! Oh the joy... Now need to sort out soggy carpets. Thanks for all help and advice

Cheers

Steve

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