Ballast/non ballast?

[jxke]

Stupid question probably but is there a way to distinguish if I've got a ballast or non ballast type coil? I've got an ancient old lucas one that came with the car and its a bit duff and it's one of the only things on the car I haven't changed and probably should.

 

I've got a xflow with this lumenition ignition kit, I was looking at using this  ,or this as a replacement for the one I have.

 

TIA

[colr6]

Coil should have 12 volts to + side when running if it's non ballasted

Or if you've got an ohms meter resistance app 3 ohm no ballast and half that ballasted on primary circuit

[jxke]

Yeah I've got a multimeter but not got round to checking it yet - but from what I can gather Escorts use a ballast type, and that it's somewhere in the loom. I see what you said about the ohms too, coil seems to say 1.5 on it too indicating its a ballast type. Cheers

[YellowTaxi]

Yep,

Thats a ballast coil.

If you want to go non-ballast run a new wire from ignition on live.

Essential if fitting cheepo type electronic ignition.

[jxke]

Yep,

Thats a ballast coil.

If you want to go non-ballast run a new wire from ignition on live.

Essential if fitting cheepo type electronic ignition.

Is it essential for the non cheapo (200 odd quid Lumenition) type electronic ignition too or can I still keep the ballast setup I've got using that? 

[HotRodMatt]

Essential for the non cheapo (200 odd quid Lumenition) type electronic ignition too or can I still keep the ballast setup I've got?

You'll probably need non ballast feed whatever electronic system you get.

[jxke]

Ah okay, the one pictured above works, and in the description of the one I bought recently also states it works with them but I imagine I'll probably need to change it all now cheers. 

[YellowTaxi]

Pretty sure Luminition will work with either type.

Its the chepo ones that dont work with ballast, in fact I balls-up two before realising my mistake. Would have been cheaper to buy Luminition but as they say ''hindsight is a wonderful thing''.