electric ignition coil?

I am about to install an electronic ignition kit on my beetle, but it says the coil needs a ballast resistor. How do I tell if my coil is the correct type.
As far as I know it is probably the original coil from the 1976 1600 tp motor. All it says on the top of the coil is Bosch, made in Germany and there is a number 15 near one of the connections.

i just went throu all this.

if it aint answered by the time i get home and check later on i will tell you what i got.

from my hazy memory i have accufire on a 009 dizy with just a standard bosch SU12 coil but i will confirm...

If you're talking about the HEI kit that is based on a Silicon Chip article, you shouldn't need a ballast resistor coil. Except when starting, the total resistance (and hence current draw) of the ballast resistor and coil are the same as that of a non-ballast resistor coil.

A word of warning. I suspect the HEI ignition may overheat if you're not careful about where you mount it.

Kafer,
I've been going through the HEI/elec ignition install lately and have recently had a new bosch black (resin type) coil go pfft. $68!

Here is the link if you want a read.
http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=36724

BTW just found out that the Bosch Electronic ignition coil was not intended for use with ignitions that deliver very high voltages on the primary. (the Jaycar one I use does 400v)

Brendan

helterskelter400 wrote:i just went throu all this.

if it aint answered by the time i get home and check later on i will tell you what i got.

from my hazy memory i have accufire on a 009 dizy with just a standard bosch SU12 coil but i will confirm...

yep. accufire module, bosch su12 coil, bosch 009 dizzy, new leads, new dizzy cap, new rotor, new plugs. all working flawlessly.

kept old coil and condensor & rotor & cap & points& plugs & leads & put in the long drive spares kit.

dont leave ignition on for long time witout starting motor.

Thankyou all,
It is the accu-fire system, all now installed with the standard coil, and is running well.
Cheers.
:thumb

Tim,
You should check out a 40,000 volt Pertronix flame thrower coil. They've got internal resistance and give you a great deal more spark then most coils. I run one with a pertronix electronic ignition and it runs a lot better than the points/standard coil and you get better power/mileage. You can get the coils on ebay pretty cheap.
Cheers,
Dustin