Ignition: wiring ballast resistor

[Michelles Pops]

55 President, 6v pos grd., I'm changing over to 12 neg grd. Originally I had no Ballast Resistor, I'm adding one My question is do I run 1 wire from the dist to the resistor then from the same post 1 wire to the neg side of the coil? The other side of the resistor gets the ign wires I hope this is correct. I've spent hours searching and found nothing. Just wanted to let everyone I tried to find the answer before posting.
Thanks Barry

[Dick Steinkamp]

You've got it just backwards. The resistor goes on the + side of the coil. The disty wire goes direct to the - side of the coil.

You will also need to be able to apply 12V to the + side of the coil when the engine is cranking. This is usually done off the "I" terminal of a 12V starting solenoid.

Make sure you are using a 12V coil.

[brngarage]

Exactly what I did when I converted my '53 to 12V.

[StudeRich]

Exactly what I did when I converted my '53 to 12V.

I hope you are referring to Dick's info and not Barry's! Can you say: "Smoke Test"?

[brngarage]

Rich:
Yes, definitely Dick's info! Happy Holidays to all.

[Michelles Pops]

Thanks Dick, I appreciate your help with this and all the rest of the help and advice you've given me with this project

[Dan Timberlake]

I'm not sure the nominal quantity of current flowing thru the coil cares if the resistor is "before" the coil or between the coil and the points.
I think there is one disadvantage to mounting the resistor between the coil and points. That is eliminating the possibility of running full battery voltage to the ignition when cranking.

[Neal in NM]

I didn't bother with a ballast resistor. I bought a internally ballasted coil so, nothing extra to mess with. Neal

[GinettaG12P]

Dan, you want full battery voltage to the ignition when cranking because the starter draws a lot of current.