How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?

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    Author Topic: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?  (Read 1725 times)

    Offline dpcd67

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    How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « on: May 20, 2014 - 04:17:02 PM »
    How hot is the 4 post ballast resister supposed to get? I wired mine up on my test stand IAW the manual and it quickly got smoking hot. I am sure something is wrong but I do not know what. Any advice? I have checked my wiring.
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    Offline polarbear123

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #1 on: May 20, 2014 - 04:24:08 PM »
    It gets very hot that’s why it is porcelain.   Not Suppose  to smoke though.
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    Offline dpcd67

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #2 on: May 20, 2014 - 05:13:02 PM »
    Sorry,, I used the term "smokin" to mean "really" hot. It didn't actually smoke. But it got way too hot to touch.
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    1963 Dodge M37 (3)
    1967 Dodge WM300 (2)
    1971 Plymouth Duster
    Bought new in '71; I wanted the Challenger but they were $2850; too much $ so I got the 318, 3 speed on the floor, Twister Duster for $2100.
    1973 Plymouth Barracuda
    I ain't done yet.

    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #3 on: May 20, 2014 - 06:38:55 PM »
    it helps having it bolted to steel to act as a heat sink but yeah it gets hot
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    Offline HP_Cuda

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #4 on: May 20, 2014 - 08:55:00 PM »

    Remember a resistor takes electrical energy and converts it to heat and in the process drops voltage.

    Ohms law V=IR
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    Offline dpcd67

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #5 on: May 20, 2014 - 09:45:32 PM »
    I test ran it for 25 minutes and it worked fine. Nothing melted.
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    1963 Dodge M37 (3)
    1967 Dodge WM300 (2)
    1971 Plymouth Duster
    Bought new in '71; I wanted the Challenger but they were $2850; too much $ so I got the 318, 3 speed on the floor, Twister Duster for $2100.
    1973 Plymouth Barracuda
    I ain't done yet.

    Offline dfrazz

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #6 on: May 21, 2014 - 09:05:28 AM »
    Quote from: dpcd67 on May 20, 2014 - 09:45:32 PM
    Nothing melted.

    That's always a good sign!  :woo:
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    Offline dodj

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #7 on: May 21, 2014 - 02:55:01 PM »
    Quote from: dpcd67 on May 20, 2014 - 05:13:02 PM
    Sorry,, I used the term "smokin" to mean "really" hot. It didn't actually smoke. But it got way too hot to touch.
    I have seen a little smoke come off a new one for a minute or so.
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    Scott
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    Offline cudabob496

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #8 on: May 21, 2014 - 09:43:07 PM »
    MSD System allows you not to use a ballast resistor.
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    Offline dpcd67

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    Re: How Hot Does the Ballast Resister Get?
    « Reply #9 on: May 22, 2014 - 11:07:10 AM »
    I have the original system. It works so I am not going to change it.
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    1963 Dodge M37 (3)
    1967 Dodge WM300 (2)
    1971 Plymouth Duster
    Bought new in '71; I wanted the Challenger but they were $2850; too much $ so I got the 318, 3 speed on the floor, Twister Duster for $2100.
    1973 Plymouth Barracuda
    I ain't done yet.
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