Ballast resistor Q's

I have explained this in another post, but here it is again.The function of the ballast
resistor is to compensate for hi CURRENT demand at idle and lower engine speeds.
This is caused by the longer actual dwell time the coil primary windings are subjected
to at low speeds,i.e. 30 degrees at 900 rpm lasts 4 times as long as it does at 3600
rpm,thus the saturation time is enuff to create excess heat. Since the coil has to be
engineered to saturate quickly enuff and deliver sufficient energy at the maximum
design rpm,the ballast provides the needed flexibility allowing low speed operation
by providing resistance that increases w its own temp increase at those same high
demand conditions.This reduces the the voltage and thus temp of the coil,keeping
it alive and also saving the points and EI transistors,whichever you're running.
ALL systems that deliver 12V to the coil,and fire it by providing a ground then
removing it need a ballast GM,Ford,Mopar,Ferrari,..it doesnt matter.The methods
are different,(GM ballast wire,Ford inline moulded plasticesque unit),but the need
and functions are the same.This includes Mallory unilite,Prestolite,points,Mopars
oem EI,etc..Obviously starting drops system voltage to approx. 10.5 while crank-
ing,so they all have "bypass"methods to ensure sufficient spark energy.
MSD and other discharge type systems don't use the saturation method,instead
they they "bombard" the coil primary w/100's of volts multiple times w/capacitor
discharges,thus no heavy current draw except thru the ign unit itself,which is
designed for this purpose,thus no ballast at the coil needed.:coffee2: