how many volts can a coil handle

HI ALL
Some of you may remember I was having hot starting probs. Well come to find out I was only getting 5 volts to my coil even at start up.. so I hooked up a switch to supply 12v to my coil when starting sence my system wasn't doing it.. When I checked the volts befor I put in the switch it was 5v key on, 8v running, and 10v reving. With the added switch turned on I'm getting 12v key on, 14v running, and 16+ reving [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] . I noticed a slight miss at idle and when I would turn the added switch on it would clear up.. I though OOO hotter spark, cleaner burn, more power... right...
So I guess my question is can a coil handle short burst of more volts (say 14v to 16v) with out frying out. So one could use the hotter spark during a race for more power.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tdown.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img]
Thanks
Tim[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Stock coils use only 6 volts, 12 volts are too much.

HI
I guess I should have stated I am using a accell standard size super stock coil it does say 12v on it..
Tim[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img]

MSD 6-series ignitions supply the coil with 480v. I don't know whether it's continuous or bursts...but they work great.

Aren't you running a Duraspark? Should be 12V. Try running a relay & see if it helps
[addsig]

HAY YA QTRMILER
Yes I'm running a Duraspark. I just looked at a diagram maybe I need to look at my power supply wire to the module It might be on the wronge side of the resistor wire that powers the coil. One guy says that there is only supose to be 7v at the coil?? Shouldn't I have at least 12v to the red wire of the module? and Maybe 12v to the white wire as well??
Tim[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img]

Electrically, this is what can happen if the coil gets too much voltage:

The primary winding can't support the current thru it and it burns out

The secondary voltage becomes so high that the dielectric (usually oil) breaks down (begins to conduct electricity) and the coil burns out.

The spark plug wires can't handle the secondary voltage and the dielectric (usually silicone) breaks down and the spark jumps to ground before the spark plug.

Unless the coil is rated for 12-14 volts on the primary, like a flame thrower, it won't be able to handle it and it's life will be shortened.



[addsig]

The problem with coils getting too hot with 12V occurs mainly at low rpm, hence the voltage is reduced. At higher rpm, they can handle more voltage (as they are "emptied" more often", which is adjusted by a Duraspark module. In the old days, no voltage adjusting adjusting electronics were available, so it was operating at 5-6 Volts at all rpm.

Ah yes, the Pertronix Flamethrower coil. Epoxy-filled,
black in color, standard in size and capable of surviving
a full 12 volts on the primary side. It's a very high
quality Echlin part available at your neighborhood NAPA
store. Not all coils are created equally, that one will
definitely take a lot of more abuse than most of the
other "replacement" coils available. Pertronix is getting
a pretty deep deal on them because they're actually a
couple of bucks cheaper there than at NAPA.