Ballast resistor getting real hot

[wahoo54]

Thanks Bubba!

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by wahoo54

It has a one fuse. Instrument lights work but tail and brake don't. Yes they're controlled by the steering column light control switch. It's a standard not a deluxe so only the minimal things. I replaced the fuse once but the second time the lights wouldn't come on. Maybe a burned wire?

If you follow the wiring on the wiring diagram the instrument lights should be on the switch at the bottom of the steering column as most of the rest of the wiring. Might check and see if it is wired around the switch (base of column one, not the dash switch).

[supereal]

The stock ballast resistor is calibrated for six volts. When converting to 12 volts you can remove the resistor from the circuit by replacing the coil with one rewound for the higher voltage. Skip Haney does it for us. The stock 6 volt resistor is wound with nichrome wire, also used in old toasters and gets very hot as engine speed increases, to act as a voltage regulator to protect the ignition system.