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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Bob Melvin Diagram problem

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Dirkey

06-19-2007 18:07:33




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Rewired my M using the diagram from Bob Melvins "Generic Delco single wire alternator conversion". When I hooked up the battery The ballast resistor started to smoke. The amp meter was registering. I did not try to start up the tractor. Did I wire something wrong or is this common with the resistor? The Napa part # in his diagrams was hard for the Napa store to match. Iam now wondering if this was the correct ballast they gave me. Anyone know what the ohm rating for this application has to be?

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Dirky

06-19-2007 19:08:07




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 Re: Bob Melvin Diagram problem in reply to Dirkey, 06-19-2007 18:07:33  
John, Battery is wired correctly. I do not know if the coil is 12v or 6 as it was on the tractor when I got it. It was running a 12 volt system then with a key switch. Not sure but think I did have the ignition switch on when it was smoking. Will this thing always smoke or does it cool down with use. Seem a little wierd to me



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Bob M

06-19-2007 19:41:03




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 Re: Bob Melvin Diagram problem in reply to Dirky, 06-19-2007 19:08:07  
It's perfectly normal for a ballast resistor to smoke the first time it's powered up. (The internal resistance element gets hot enough to burn off any oil, etc. left over from the manufacturing process the first time it heats up). Also the resistor's ceramic housing will likely get too hot to touch after the engine has run a few minutes. This too is normal.

So a smoking resistor the first time the tractor is run is not really a concern.

However if the resistor smokes when you connect the battery and the ignition switch is OFF, you've definitely got a wiring problem!

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John T

06-19-2007 19:26:09




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 Re: Bob Melvin Diagram problem in reply to Dirky, 06-19-2007 19:08:07  
With the wires removed a 6 volt coils primary resistance between its lil + and - terminals is around 1.25 to 1.75 ohms while a 12 volt is more like 2.5 to 3.5 ohms. It bear any label or writing??? You dont need a ballast if its a full true 12 volt coil. Id guess (depends on oil or residue) it may smoke less then a minute till its all burned off then stop??? Id have it well bonded (metal mounting clip) to a piece of heavy metal to help heat sink it. With the ignition on not running and points closed its drawing around 4 amps and at 6 volts, thats 24 watts buttttt tt if running theres some duty cycle reduction taking place you know. Its not god to just let it sit there n cook, turn her on n fire her up maybe????

This assumes its a true ignition ballast of 1.25 to 1.85 ohms rated somewhere over 25 watts????? ???? If its only a 5 watt resistor it will fryyyyy yyyyy

John T

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John T

06-19-2007 18:39:18




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 Re: Bob Melvin Diagram problem in reply to Dirkey, 06-19-2007 18:07:33  
Typical values of Ignition Ballast resistors are around 1.25 to 1.85 ohms. Ive seen them smoke the first time wired cuz theres residue n maybe some film to burn off as they do run pretty darn warm. If possible heat sink them via their metal mounting clip bonded well to a big hunk of iron.

I take it youre talking about the in line series ignition ballast between the ignition switch and a 6 volt coil on a 12 volt tractor, correct????? ?? cuz they do run hot.....

Many (so caled bathtub style) are white and around 1/2 x 1/2 x 3 inches and look like a wirewound resistior encased in a ceramic/porcelain bathtub enclosure.

If all is wired correct and were talkin of an ignition ballast resistor there shouldnt be smoke when you hook up the battery BUT ONLY if you turn on the ignition switch

SURE YOU GOT THE RIGHT RESISTOR IN THE RIGHT PLACE

When I wire a GM 10 SI 3 wire alternator rigged to work like a one wire I use a 10 ohm current limiting resistor in the excitation circuit BUT THATS NOT THE SAME AS THE IGNITIION BALLAST

SURE YOU WIRED THE BATERY NEGATIVE GROUND!!!!! !!! if not you can fry the alternator. STILL IT SHOULDNT SMOKE BY HOOKING UP THE BATTERY if wired right theres no current in it until ignition is on

BETTER RE CHECK YOUR WIRING AND FOR NEG GROUND

John T

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