Coil + -

[faversham999]

I have a coil no + or - what is the polarity it has 16 marked on one terminal

[Simon P]

Terimal #16 will be the + Positive,
the other side should be marked with the number #1 and is - Negative (contact breaker side)

HTH
Si

[faversham999]

Thanks number 1 is on the other terminal Its for a Fiat 500 but got no responce on there Club site.Glad I have a moggie . more civilised

[bmcecosse]

Oooohh Fiat 500 - nice!! That '1' will only be connected to the contact breaker IF the Fiat is negative earth! If it's positive earth - then the '16' should connect to the contact breaker. In all honesty - it makes little difference on a low powered engine, but connected correctly does give a slightly better spark.........

[Simon P]

If it's positive earth - then the '16' should connect to the contact breaker. In all honesty - it makes little difference on a low powered engine, but connected correctly does give a slightly better spark.........

Thank you bmc, I should have mentioned this

[bmcecosse]

Well we didn't know it was for a F 500!

[katy]

If one has a coil that is unmarked, here is an old procedure for checking proper coil polarity:
Hold any spark plug wire about ¼” from its spark plug terminal, with the engine running. Insert the point of a common wooden lead pencil between the spark plug and wire.
If the spark flares and has a slight orange tinge on the spark plug side of the pencil, polarity is correct. If the spark flares on the cable side the polarity is incorrect and the coil connections should be reversed.

Needless to say one should wear rubber gloves and/or take other safety precautions when performing this test.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Jings! Another new one on me! I'm fairly getting edukated this week!

[MarkyB]

I like it, proper old school witchcraft with added physics.
Are rubber gloves impervious to HT Roy?

[bmcecosse]

They are - IF they are pink marigolds!! It's a while since anyone ribbed me about them.............[frame][/frame]