Ballast resistor----hot?

[Fuzzy]

Is it normal for a ballast resistor to be hot to the touch when the engine is running?It's hot enough to where you can't touch it without getting
burned.The vehicle is a 62 Chrysler.

Fuzzy

[enjenjo]

Yes.

[Fuzzy]

That was quick! Thanks,Frank

[river1]

i know frank already answered but i'll answer it too

YES

don't ask me how i know

later jim

[Fuzzy]

i know frank already answered but i'll answer it too

YES

don't ask me how i know

later jim

Probably the same way I did.  

[38HAULR]

Yes definitely will heat up. I gather this is the wirewound unit on a ceramic block.  Around 1.5 Ohms in series with a coil of similar primary resistance, on idle you are looking at around 2.5 Amps flowing through.........Frank.

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for the replies everybody

Fuzzy

[The Paisano]

If you were to look at a blower motor resister,which controls blower speeds,you would notice that they are always mounted in the air stream in the heater/ac housing.The air flowing through them keeps them from burning up.If you were to take on out of the housing while blower running at any speed other than high speed,it would get red hot and eventually burn up.The ballast resister is simular but has ceramics to cool it off.

[GPster]

If you're taking a 12 volt supply down to 9 volt service that other 3 volts has to do something = heat. GPster