Ignition Coils

**zakmattingly** · 07-26-2011, 08:51 AM

Just finished scrapping about 10 lawnmowers and a few weedeaters and didn't know what to do with these things. My first though was to just throw 'em in my mix bucket but I thought that with the copper that I knew was in 'em I might get more out of it. These things are about pointless try to take apart. The yard didn't even know what to do with 'em so they cut one open to see. There was so much plastic and insulation and most of the weight was from the iron on the sides. They called them "ballost" on the ticket, which I had never heard of before, and gave me .05 a pound for it. Kind of a shame since my mix bucket goes with bailing at 205 a ton which comes out to .1025 a pound. Oh well it was only 3 pounds. But has anybody else heard of ballost? Searched it here and got nothing. Just curious.

**wayne1956** · 07-26-2011, 09:46 AM

Try searching "ballast".

**Mechanic688** · 07-26-2011, 10:02 AM

A ballast is also the bigger black rectangular box with wires you will find in florescent lights.

**Mick** · 07-26-2011, 10:19 AM

My yard won't pay for certain type ballast (the florescent light type).

**zakmattingly** · 07-26-2011, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by wayne1956

Try searching "ballast".

I see. They misspelled it on the ticket. After reading up on it now I have an idea on how to separate this stuff. Next time I'm cutting the metal off the ones for mowers though. Make me a few more pennies. LOL

**Dumpster-Dee** · 07-26-2011, 10:38 AM

I remember reading somewhere that there are some ballasts that can be taken apart, but most are filled with something like tar and it's almost impossible to separate the copper from it. I tried burning one for hours and the stuff did not even get soft. But I have seen someone post that their yard takes ballasts. Mine does not. Good luck zak. I admire your environmental consciousness.

**KzScrapper** · 07-26-2011, 04:56 PM

I think most yards stay away from ballast because the older ones have PCB's in them.

**hobo finds** · 07-26-2011, 05:33 PM

I mix them in with my steel...

**Mechanic688** · 07-26-2011, 06:11 PM

I mix them in with my steel...

Shame on you,,, LOL

**injunjoe** · 07-26-2011, 06:36 PM

The coils on a lawn mower is called a magneto. At least the ones with the aluminum flywheel containing magnets on the outer edge.

I can't imagine why they called it a ballast, unless the magneto has that black insulating tar looking stuff in it. It's been a long time, can't recall.

I would think they would just give you motor price for them.