Pertronix II trigger and 0.6 ohm coil with points backup Options

[SVG223]

In case of a Pertronix 2 failure, I want to keep points or a cheaper Hot Spark in the glove box for a backup. I already have a 3-ohm 100-watt resistor. I should put the 3 ohm resistor between the switched power and the positive terminal on the 0.6-ohm coil, which should make 3.6 ohms of combined resistance and be safe for points. Bypass the resistor and use the key-switched power directly to the points and condenser/hot spark trigger. I already have these items and don't want to buy a second Pertronix 2 trigger.
Sound feasible? Thanks.

[Root_Werks]

Wait...are you using Pertronix directly from the coil?

Hopefully you are only using Pertronix to trigger a CD or CDI box.

For me, I carry an extra Pertronix unit in the car with the tools to swap it out roadside if needed. Seems easier than swapping back to points. Shoot, you don't even need to take off the Pertronix base, just swap out the unit, splice two wires and off you go.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[SVG223]

I just found this image in the Pertronix Rev 1 installation manual. It is what I'm thinking about doing for a backup.

[SVG223]

Wait...are you using Pertronix directly from the coil?

Hopefully you are only using Pertronix to trigger a CD or CDI box.

For me, I carry an extra Pertronix unit in the car with the tools to swap it out roadside if needed. Seems easier than swapping back to points. Shoot, you don't even need to take off the Pertronix base, just swap out the unit, splice two wires and off you go.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

No cdi so far, I'm still working with stock compression.
Yes, having two would be ideal, but trying to hang on to $160.

[porschetub]

In case of a Pertronix 2 failure, I want to keep points or a cheaper Hot Spark in the glove box for a backup. I already have a 3-ohm 100-watt resistor. I should put the 3 ohm resistor between the switched power and the positive terminal on the 0.6-ohm coil, which should make 3.6 ohms of combined resistance and be safe for points. Bypass the resistor and use the key-switched power directly to the points and condenser/hot spark trigger. I already have these items and don't want to buy a second Pertronix 2 trigger.
Sound feasible? Thanks.

Have read replies but to help you further think if you mention your engine type, there are other things to consider , that will help .

[L-Jet914]

Most Pertronix units require a specific resistance so as not to short out the unit prematurely. I know the Bosch Blue coil I have has the right amount of resistance to operate properly. A friend of mine went through multiple Pertronix units because he did not have the correct resistance for the unit.

[Superhawk996]

Most Pertronix units require a specific resistance so as not to short out the unit prematurely. I know the Bosch Blue coil I have has the right amount of resistance to operate properly. A friend of mine went through multiple Pertronix units because he did not have the correct resistance for the unit.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If you read the Pertronix directions they specify a minimum coil resistance.

[SVG223]

In case of a Pertronix 2 failure, I want to keep points or a cheaper Hot Spark in the glove box for a backup. I already have a 3-ohm 100-watt resistor. I should put the 3 ohm resistor between the switched power and the positive terminal on the 0.6-ohm coil, which should make 3.6 ohms of combined resistance and be safe for points. Bypass the resistor and use the key-switched power directly to the points and condenser/hot spark trigger. I already have these items and don't want to buy a second Pertronix 2 trigger.
Sound feasible? Thanks.

Have read replies but to help you further think if you mention your engine type, there are other things to consider , that will help .

Stock 76 2.0 Thanks.

[SVG223]

Most Pertronix units require a specific resistance so as not to short out the unit prematurely. I know the Bosch Blue coil I have has the right amount of resistance to operate properly. A friend of mine went through multiple Pertronix units because he did not have the correct resistance for the unit.

Pertronix 1 / HotSpark / points: require a 3 ohm primary coil resistance or higher.
Pertronix 2 0.6 ohm or higher.
My Bosch Blue coil has an internal resistor to add to the primary winding to come up to 3 ohms of resistance and works with all of these options.
I recently got a Pertronix II 0.6 ohm coil to go with the Pertronix II trigger that I've been running. It came with incompatibilities to the older systems, so I'm trying to work around them.

[SVG223]

Hopefully, it's as easy as this.

[SVG223]

Hopefully, it's as easy as this.

I took it for a test drive; the backup system works well. Even with a 3 ohm resistor the new coil works better than the original blue Bosch. After 50 years, it did its job. Now to hook up the Pertronix 2 ignitor and remove the resistor. I will put the resistor in a bag along with the Hot Spark trigger, a Phillips head, and a 7mm wrench, and put it in the glove box.

[SVG223]

Now I'm thinking about increasing the gap to something like 0.035". I probably won't notice the difference.

[porschetub]

Now I'm thinking about increasing the gap to something like 0.035". I probably won't notice the difference.

I have never increased plug gap with these units and fitted many of them , make sure you don't use solid (copper core ) leads as they don't play well with Ignitor II units .
Cheers.

[SVG223]

Now I'm thinking about increasing the gap to something like 0.035". I probably won't notice the difference.

I have never increased plug gap with these units and fitted many of them , make sure you don't use solid (copper core ) leads as they don't play well with Ignitor II units .
Cheers.

Thanks. I currently have copper core wires, but I am actively looking at suppression wire options. Oddly, I can find spiral wound wire sets for V8s for $30, but for a 914 it is like $140. I'm considering buying the V8 set and hacking it up, and crimping on some connectors. Or buying a VW Beetle set and adding a wire or two. I found a web store that has some decent options. tonsperformance.com
I wasn't sure what the copper core would do to the ignitor, if it would burn it out or make the car run rough, as long as I can run it until I get the replacements in. There are 1000 ohms at the spark plug connectors and 5000 ohms at the rotor, but I guess the wires need to put in their two cents. I'm thinking about getting a 1000-ohm rotor instead, 5000 just seems excessive, but I'm just guessing. Scratch that, I just measured my rotor, it is 1 k-ohm.