Wiring direct to coil

[daver clasper]

Hi.

Advice around wiring direct from battery to coil (usefull I thought to get car home if problem with ignition switch ect, occurs) is DON'T.

Is this because it wouldn't be fused, or other reasons please?.

Cheers, Dave

[Richard B]

Well not permanently anyway, as the coil will be always live (resulting in a burnt out coil, and or dead battery). That's what the ignition switch is for.

If hot wiring then you need to either disconnect this wire or stall the engine to stop it.

[Hogie]

Hi Dave,
                'hot' wiring the coil is not an issue as long as the engine is running - no different to have the Ig switch in place.

However once stopped the wire MUST be disconnected.

Roger

[Nick Jones]

Actually, there is an element of chance involved.  If the engine comes to rest with the points open - it doesn't matter if the wire is left there.  However, if the points are closed it'll kill the coil eventually (and/or flatten the battery).

If you actually want to drive the car like this you need to leave the normal coil feed connected so that it can "backfeed" the rest of the system so you get
battery charging, instruments, wipers etc - though this is where things get dodgy as the coil feed wire isn't intended to carry much load and you "hotwire" many not be either - making it a hot wire in more than one way.....  

Nick