Pertronix, Do I need a ballast resistor??

I am getting the stuff together to start wiring my car. I am going to use a pertronx points eliminator. Do I need to use a ballast resistor in my wiring or not? Also, What coil should I use with my ignition?
I'm sorry if these are dumb questions but I don't know shit about electrical systems. Thanks, Todd

 

Should use a coil with the correct ohms (sp?) for the dizzy with an internal resistor.

 

ABSOLUTELY NOT. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT 12 VOLTS TO THE UNIT!!!

Its in the directions if you do not believe me!

 

Depends on the car. If it is 12 volt or not, what wireing, V8 or 6. With that info i can reccomend what coil and ballast

 

Don,

I am a running a V-8 12 volt system. Todd

 

I know three guys that ran with ballast resistors and all three Pertronix quit working. like peviously mentioned you need 12 Volts

 

not true, I will quote from the directions in front of me right now; "If your ignition system currently has a ballast resistor, do not remove it"
Now having said that, it will vary depending on application.

 

Todd, since you need a new coil, I would suggest you buy the PerTronix 1.5ohm coil part #40001 for chrome or #40011 for black and run without a ballast resistor. This is providing you have the original Ignitor.

If you have the Ignitor II (better unit), then use part #45001 for chrome or #45011 for Black which is a .6 ohm coil.

 

Ok, Now I'm really lost. I'm using a distributer from a 67 Chevelle. I do not have a coil yet. My car has no wiring in it at all. Like I said I know nothing about electronics and want to do this right and not burn anything up. Todd

 

It's easy dude. Sounds like you probably got the original style Ignitor, so run part #40001 for chrome or #40011 for black. Don't worry about a Ballast resistor with that coil and wire direct from the Ignition post of your key switch to the coil + terminal.
The PerTronix has a black and red wire. Run the red to coil + and the black to coil -. Those three wires will be the only ones on the coil unless you run a tach which would also connect to coil -
Make sure that your distributor clamp makes a very good ground (no Paint on the areas that meet the dist and manifold) and that you have a good ground cable from the motor to the frame.

 

Don,

NOW I got it. Thanks!!!

 

I was going to suggest asking Don, he knows a lot about those Pertronix units.

 

The instructions are confusing. I just took the word of several members when I installed my Pertronix and decided to remove my ballast resistor. Haven't had a problemo yet.

 

Put the Pertronix on my flatty dizzy with recommended coil and 12 volts no resistor as recommended.Ran much better for a couple of weeks-It took a dump on me out in the middle of no where and when I finally got home to test the thing it was the Pertronix. This is the first time I ever tried one so I decided to go MSD distributor. Much better performance and no failures to date. Just my experience.

 

Because you "outed" me as a magazine guy... Of course you are an ex-magazine guy... Hey I didn't know wich door was yours and you weren't there the other day and I didn't want to go stuffing magazines through the wrong door...

 

Sorry to hear that you had a problem, that's a bummer. I have been running them in my personal cars since the early 80's without a failure. Know some folks that have had problems and it usually can be traced back to voltage or ground problems. On the other hand I can hardly count all the 6AL boxes from MSD that I have had go bad (or even bad out of the box in two cases) or the last few years and I know they build a good product. Electronics are probably the most problematic and unforgiving things we put on our cars.