Hi Forum,
I have finally took the plunge to bin the old points and condenser.
I decided to go for the Petronix set up so I can supposedly re install points and condenser if the electronic system fails.
The instructions are pretty basic.
I cannot find the ballast resistor, which I understand I should by passby following the white and the white/black cables from the dizzy.
Where does it lurk??
The coil is labeled Opus ballasted. Is the ballast internal.
The destructions also mention the Smith rev counter may need adjustment so the projects appears more complicated than a swap out the points etc and plug in the electronic pack.
Have any of you fitted this system recently who can point me in the right direction.
I am beginning to wonder if it is worth the aggravation and expense or whether I should have gone for a programable 123.
Appreciate there is plenty of ignition discussion on the forum but cannot find any advice directly relating to this.
Help!
Nigel.
Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
#1 Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
1969 E Type Series 2 2+2 Auto with Power Steering UK Registered
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
-
Gfhug
- Posts: 3826
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
- Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty

#2 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
Nigel, don’t bin the points and condenser as they are always a useful fallback if anything goes wrong and they take up so little space to keep in the boot.
Good luck
Geoff
Good luck
Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#3 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
Hi Nigel...first you need to identify your current set up...is your car a "ballast" model.......I assume you purchased a coil for a ballast set up?... info here on Ballast cct viewtopic.php?t=17879 then install as per the Pertronix instructions....your rev counter will either work or it won't....no adjusting ..if it dosnt work then it needs modification as it would if you fit a 123.....more Info here https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/pertron ... ise/429739
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#4 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
Hi Nigel,
Some more information here for you:
https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/e-type- ... tion/96509
Some more information here for you:
https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/e-type- ... tion/96509
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)

1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#5 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
I installed a Pertronix on a ballast system, not Jag, and the instructions were to remove the ballast from the circuit. This was a converion kit.
The Pertronix needed 12v running voltage and a ballasted system prevents this.
Although much more expensive the 123 system, especially the programmable, looks to be a MUCH better system.
Or did you buy their Chinese distributor and not the cheap conversion kit?
The Pertronix needed 12v running voltage and a ballasted system prevents this.
Although much more expensive the 123 system, especially the programmable, looks to be a MUCH better system.
Or did you buy their Chinese distributor and not the cheap conversion kit?
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS
Car #876005, 62 OTS
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#6 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
As a '69 car you may well not have a ballast resistor.Retroman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 06, 2025 2:52 pm
The coil is labeled Opus ballasted. Is the ballast internal.
The destructions also mention the Smith rev counter may need adjustment so the projects appears more complicated than a swap out the points etc and plug in the electronic pack.
I am beginning to wonder if it is worth the aggravation and expense or whether I should have gone for a programable 123.
Your coil doesn't look like being original if it has a "Opus ballasted" label but any ballast won't be internal.
The Petronix instructions say the coil resistance must be 3 ohms or greater so if the coil you've got measures 3 ohms or greater then you're good to go.
The rev counter should work fine as long as you wire the red wire from the Petronix back to an unused connection on fuse 6 or 7 rather than directly onto the coil as the instructions tell you.
You can connect the red wire directly to the coil to get the car started and check everything runs and then move it to the fuse later to ensure your rev counter works.
You've got to do the same fitting a 123 so using a 123 isn't any easier and it's certainly more expensive.
John
1969 Series 2 FHC
1969 Series 2 FHC
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#7 Re: Petronix Ignitor and Flamethrower Coil Series 2 Fitment
I don’t know which Pertronix you have but depending on the kit they take different a Ohms resistance coil.
Be sure you have the correct coil for the Pertronix model.
Pertronix tech can help you and they answer the phone.
Be sure you have the correct coil for the Pertronix model.
Pertronix tech can help you and they answer the phone.
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS
Car #876005, 62 OTS
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |



