My 64 365hp had an after market ballast resistor. Bought an original used in decent shape. One of the ceramic ears that are on each of the 4 corners has a small piece chipped off. Other than that it is in fine condition, no other chips or cracks. Is the chip going to effect the resistor's performance? Or am I good? Thanks all very much. I appreciate the help. I searched the archives but there wasn't anything about this. Michael Kalogridis
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
Michael,
A picture would probably help. But to your question, I doubt it. I would recommend putting an Ohmmeter on it. If it's resistance is within spec (don't forget to subtract out meter lead resistance), I would be very tempted to use it. It needs to be tested out of circuit, which doesn't look to be a problem here.
Joe -
Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
If it is just a piece of the ceramic that is chipped, I don't think you have to be concerned. If you remove the resistor and look at the back side, you will see the actual resistor. The ceramic is just the housing to protect it I assume. If you are having it judged, they might take a small deduct for condition.Comment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
I was told some time ago that the ceramic portion of the resistor was to help dissipate heat and thus increase the longevity of the resistor.Comment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
I was told some time ago that the ceramic portion of the resistor was to help dissipate heat and thus increase the longevity of the resistor.Comment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
Larry:
I'm sure you're right on that. I know that the ceramic gets quite hot when the engine has been running. Michael indicated that only a small portion of the ceramic had chipped off. I doubt that it should effect performanceComment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
If the above was true- would not GM have chosen a conductive material and not an insulator?Comment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
Ceramics (and glass) are poor heat conductors, but they have high thermal capacity. That's why drinking a good craft beer from a heavy, chilled glass is much superior to drinking from it from a plastic glass, chilled or not. The heavy glass helps keep the brew chilled as you consume it.
So, the ceramic resistor housing absorbs the heat and thermally insulates the resistor from from the fiberglass cowl.
A small chip in the cermaic housing will likely not cause any problems.
DukeComment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
....please note: while some ceramics are poor heat conductors, other ceramics are actually very good at heat transfer, and it is dependent up on the type of ceramic material
chemical make-up. So to generalize all ceramics as having poor heat conductivity is not entirely accurate. Does anyone know the type of ceramic the the ballast resistor is
composed of??Comment
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Re: Ballast resistor chipped. Effect performance?
The heat insulating type so that the firewall doesn't melt.Comment
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