Ballast resistor question

[ROMI]

Been working on my friend's Cuda and thinking that a VERY hot ballast resistor was a problem.  Then I came home, started the Challenger and lo and behold my resistor can't be touched either.  So, I'm just asking you guys that are in the know, is this completely normal or do we both have a problem?

[Moparal]

It is normal, and the bigger the resistance the hotter it is.  I wondered the same thing yrs back

[ROMI]

Thank you Al, I appreciate the response so quickly !

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Yep hot little guy! I remember the first time I replaced one, smoked like CRAZY when I first started it up. Thought something went south. Sure enough it's "normal" for new ones to do that. 

[UKcuda]

It's kind of true but I think actually it is more like a 300W lamp flashing on and off very quickly, so not as hot as if it was just on all the time. 

And the resistance from the coil builds very quickly each cycle, so the "lamp" is not "on" for long each time.