TheSamba.com :: View topic - will my coil work with pertronix electric ignition?

Tue Sep 06, 2016 9:55 pm

I have a blue Beru 12v coil. it has 2 prongs for both + and -. can I just add a 3 prong to the positive side and run electronic ignition? will this burn out the electric module or will I be ok? better safe than sorry [/s]

Tue Sep 06, 2016 10:00 pm

Any coil will work as long as it has a resistor which I believe yours does:

http://www.hot-spark.com/1-Beru-ZS-172.htm

you can double check with an ohm meter, you want at least 3 ohms of resistance.

Wed Sep 07, 2016 5:58 am

Relyt wrote: Any coil will work as long as it has a resistor which I believe yours does:

http://www.hot-spark.com/1-Beru-ZS-172.htm

you can double check with an ohm meter, you want at least 3 ohms of resistance.
awesome thank you. I'll do that

Wed Sep 07, 2016 9:53 am

If you use Pertronix Ignitor2 or 3 you MUST use the correct low impedance coil or you will fry the module. They have next to NO resistance.

When in doubt READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

brad

Thu Sep 08, 2016 4:03 am

slalombuggy wrote: If you use Pertronix Ignitor2 or 3 you MUST use the correct low impedance coil or you will fry the module. They have next to NO resistance.

When in doubt READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

brad

Agree - just ran into this....Thought as long as it had a resistor it was OK. BUT Pertronix wants you to use their coils. And it could be part of some marketing to sell more Pertronix coils, but not taking a chance.

Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:27 am

The Pertronix coils aren't anymore money than the Bosch ones.

Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:15 pm

The high internal resistance (3-4ohms) ignition coils are designed to reduce the current that passes thru the points. This extends the life of the points.

With early electronic points like the Pertronix Ignitor1 or CompuFire, they also want high resistance in the primary coil circuit to reduce the current that passes thru the module. Pair these with a low resistance coil and you could overheat/burn up the module.

The later Ignitor II & III had different requirements. They would work with lower resistance in the primary coil windings. This is a good thing. Lower primary resistance means more current flowing. More current passing thru the ignition coil primary means more power in the secondary windings which translate into higher secondary voltages at the spark plugs (all else being equal). Higher voltages mean you may be able to increase the spark plug gap which produces a more reliable spark. Even if you don't increase the gap, the spark will be more powerful and can jump the electrode gap in a wider range of situations that may have previously led to a failed spark for that plug/cylinder. No, its not a CDI, but it should theoretically be better than stock.

So don't turn down electric points that will work with lower resistance coils. This is more desirable if you want to improve your ignition system with greater output power.

And I agree with slalombuggy... RTFM. :wink: :D