332-7778 Power Pack (Switch Box) question??

[skeeterboy]

The power packs (switch boxes) that are currently on my motor have a model number of 332-7778.

I see at different places to purchase model numbers that are 332-7778 A3, A6, A9, A12.

Does this matter and will these work on my motor???

What does all the extra letters and numbers mean???

This is on a 1995 EFI 200...

Thanks for any info or advice...

[j_martin]

They're interchangable, preferably in pairs.

Manufacturer: CDI
Fits: 200 HP Mercury\Mariner 6cyl 1978-99 models with serial #4839034-G840500.

Replaces OEM#: 332-5524, 332-7778, A1, A3, A5, A6, A9, A12

The Grand Lizard claims there's no diff in performance up until the pistons start swapping holes between these and the high perf ones.

Hope it helps
John

[skeeterboy]

That is what I needed to know and I am going to buy 2 new matched pairs...

Thanks again J. Martin....

[HStream1]

John as always is 100% correct. Hope you know what these puppy's cost new each.

John I'm sending you a PM.

[Bruster]

The Sierra brand and other replacements (made by Prufrex, whoever the hell they are) are less than $100 on eBay new. CDI's can be had for $160 on eBay and I am sure if you look around can be bought for less.;)



John as always is 100% correct. Hope you know what these puppy's cost new each.

John I'm sending you a PM.

[HStream1]

The Sierra brand and other replacements (made by Prufrex, whoever the hell they are) are less than $100 on eBay new. CDI's can be had for $160 on eBay and I am sure if you look around can be bought for less.;)

:iagree: But that is each not per pair. IMO other than CDI the others don't last a fa -t. CDI's new (over the counter) is $220.00 each.

[j_martin]

There should be lotsa used sets around. When a rod exits a block, unless it's 1 or 3 and goes out high, the switchboxes usually survive.

A coupla winters ago I bought an engire 40 amp system, stator, trigger, switchboxes, coils, harness, and anything else attached to the wires for $180.

[Scott in MN]

I've heard it said several times to replace switchboxes in pairs. Why if one box tests good do you have to change it. I replaced only one of mine years ago when the bias circuit was bad and no nuclear holocaust occurred under the cowl, did I get lucky? Merc box was over $300.00.

[Bruster]

Here's CDI boxes @ $165 each delivered. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SWITCH-BOX-POWER-PACK-MERCURY-MARINER-OUTBOARDS-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1205Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem5188fc37f6QQitemZ350190581750QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fA ccessoriesQ5fGear

I did a Google for Prufrex, German Company, seems they make a lot of OMC's electrical parts. Although I have never used them I don't think they would be any worse than the Mercury parts, for 1/3rd the price. They are sold as NAPA, Siera GLM and more.

:iagree: But that is each not per pair. IMO other than CDI the others don't last a fa -t. CDI's new (over the counter) is $220.00 each.

[j_martin]

I've heard it said several times to replace switchboxes in pairs. Why if one box tests good do you have to change it. I replaced only one of mine years ago when the bias circuit was bad and no nuclear holocaust occurred under the cowl, did I get lucky? Merc box was over $300.00.

If I had to pay top buck, I probably would replace one at a time, but I'd be doing pretty thorough diagnostics, especially looking at the bias circuit to be sure the "good" pack wasn't the original fault.

Ya can usually buy good ones in pairs, so that's the way I go.

hope it helps
John

[Bruster]

I accumulated a box of switch boxes and stators for the 6 cylinder motors. I wasted a whole day trying to get that used junk working together and have everything check within spec. The next day I bought the new CDI stator and switchboxes and the motor never started or ran better. Best money ever spent on that motor.

New
There should be lotsa used sets around. When a rod exits a block, unless it's 1 or 3 and goes out high, the switchboxes usually survive.

A coupla winters ago I bought an engire 40 amp system, stator, trigger, switchboxes, coils, harness, and anything else attached to the wires for $180.

[skeeterboy]

I have done some research on the PRUFEX company online before this conversation and really could not find any negative about them. I do know that boat owners are probably the only true tell of the story on what packs they have had luck with.

I am shopping around for new this time because when you buy used on SOME parts you get what you get. Before I thought the stator was the problem I purchased a couple of used packs and right now with a new stator and regs I am very jumpy about putting some used packs on.

J. Martin I am sending you a PM about the bias circuit...

Thanks again for all the input.. Definately enjoying the useful information. As well as I like the challenge of working on this outboard.

[Bruster]

eBay: Mercury new Prufrex switchboxs <$100 Each shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Boat-Marine-Part-Mercury-Switch-Box_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1205Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3ef5b3ccedQQitemZ270410173677QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fA ccessoriesQ5fGear

[service860]

If Prefrux makes OMC Ignition parts I'd run like hell from that! jmho

[Dave S]

They are like light bulbs..... they go bad and ya Un screw them.... used is as good as new......But some times one will make the other miss fire.. .. .. ..:eek:

[Bruster]

Why's that?



If Prefrux makes OMC Ignition parts I'd run like hell from that! jmho

[service860]

I just see alot of low hour power pack failures from omc, dono maybe its just my area.




Why's that?

[skeeterboy]

I feel a lot of my problems have stemmed from a 14 year motor with ground connections that have never been touched. I have corrosion on some of my grounds as well as some black tar looking stuff.

I plan on my next set of off days pulling off every ground connection I can get to and cleaning them thoroughly....

Thanks for all the feedback...

[HStream1]

[QUOTE=skeeterboy;1694369]
I plan on my next set of off days pulling off every ground connection I can get to and cleaning them thoroughly....

Always a good place to start. Ground issues have been the cause of a many headache and hours of frustration.

[Bruster]

I got a whole box of used ones somewhere, I'll send you the whole box for say, $100. That's as they say, pennies on the dollar. Remember they are almost as good as new, but they might (real good chance) make the other one mis fire, or they might just mis fire all by themselves. There was probably $2,000 worth of Mercury and other brands of parts here (retail) if they were new on the dealer's shelf. I may have thrown this garbage, er, I mean box of used parts out, so I was not tempted to try to waste more of my time. Well look at that, I am wasting more of my time with these used parts right now. Sneeky little devels aren' they?



They are like light bulbs..... they go bad and ya Un screw them.... used is as good as new......But some times one will make the other miss fire.. .. .. ..:eek:

[j_martin]

Why's that?

Failing parts in the bias circuit of one can cause the other one to misfire. That's why one of the first things you do when you're chasing gremlins is check the strength and time of all 6 sparks, then disconnect the bias jumper and see if something changes.

hope it helps
John

[Uncle_Victor]

If Prefrux makes OMC Ignition parts I'd run like hell from that! jmho

Contacted them (as they live closer to me then a US based company)
As expected they don't deliver to end-users, but they confirmed they make them for sierra.