Reason for my electronics 101 question

Posted by MMB on October 26, 2006 at 06:36:24 from (68.150.229.199):

Well, the question relating to the "heat" in the resistor was merely a result of following up a discussion that I had with a friend of mine. The responses were great and I think I understood most of them so thanks for all of those.

Meanwhile, here's where it all started. I am replacing the resistor in a 3-position generator control/light switch on a 1940's tractor. The old open (uncovered) wound-wire resistor was burned out like many of them are. I picked up a 3.3 ohm ceramic resistor (with a 10 watt rating) from an electronics supply house to wire into the switch. The original resistors were "about" 3 ohms on most of those switches for a 6 volt system. I don't know the watt rating for those original resistors. I am wondering just how hot that resistor will get when I wire it into the switch. I can't check it out right now since a running tractor all hooked up and operating won't happen for a while yet, but I am getting stuff ready and prepared.

This ceramic brick resistor is about 1/4" square and about 2" long if that means anything, and i assume is a wire-wound type inside the ceramic brick.

Any idea as to whether this resistor will do the trick without exploding or vaporizing? The system is a 6 Volt system and the resistor circuit grounds the generator's field circuit which a manual says puts out about 3.8 - 4 amps but maybe that is meaningless and is determined by ohms law or something. Once again, your help is appreciated.

Replies:

• Re: Reason for my electronics 101 question John T 11:27:32 10/26/06 (1)
  • Re: Reason for my electronics 101 question KEB 19:00:29 10/26/06 (0)
• Re: Reason for my electronics 101 question KEB 08:57:01 10/26/06 (0)
• Re: Reason for my electronics 101 question Bob 07:25:38 10/26/06 (0)

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