Switch Boxes

[Merc Speed]

Has anybody tried Amazon electrical parts like
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Outboard-332-7778-332-7778A12-Switchbox/dp/B08FHQQJ3C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=mercury%2Boutboard%2Bswitch%2Bbox%2B332-7778a12&qid=1631448503&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQRDNFVjEzTEZKNTgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNTE5Nzk5WFJFV0w1MFJKNjkmZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDk0ODU5NUU2QjNaQ0lEWVRFOSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdEx vZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1
They are switch boxes that match the part # for my pro max. I have used water pumps and thermostats from them with good results.

[LakeFever]

Yup. I had a cheap 2.0L that wouldn’t run. Didn’t want to spend much money so I bought spark boxes that looked like that for so cheap iirc it was 32 bucks for the pair. The motor ran ok for the two weeks I had it. Can’t say much else it was very short lived

[Merc Speed]

So the boxes were still good and the motor died?

[LakeFever]

The motor ran great I sold it after a few weeks I can’t say how long they lasted. Many guys say buy factory merc ones if you want a performance motor or if you want it to last I have only run oem ones on other motors and they have been great. Just that one boat was maintained by a clown needed a lot of fixing I put them on. Ran good tho

[Merc Speed]

Yes I don't want to get stuck 30 miles down the river the price was so tempting. Not sure how they would make a difference in performance but I can see something that cheep might not last.Thanks for the info.

[Smalltownbassin]

I considered the same thing myself until it was brought up to me that they could double fire when they fail and cause serious detonation damage. That was enough for me to at least buy the sierra boxes. Better safe than sorry, especially if you have a lot of money and time invested in a build.

[Merc Speed]

I hear that I might try a set for testing before I spend the bucks for Merc ones.

[InjectorService]

Just talked to a guy that didn't want to shell out for OEM or good aftermarket voltage regulators. He bought Amazon for cheap, BOTH burnt out at the same time, and started on fire, was minutes away from burning his whole motor. Your choice.....

[nelson edens]

I just bought these switch boxes from Pro Marine. I ordered part number 5775. This is what they sent me. They have no identification. The box had the label removed and the Pro label put on. Does anyone know what these are? I called them and asked who the manufacturer was and they don't know.

In the past, they have sent me Sierra 18-5775, which is labeled "Prufrex - Made in Germany".

[rjdubiel]

how big are the nuts on it? The Chinese ones usually have a very small nut and merc or sierra have a bigger nut on them for the wires.

[Smalltownbassin]

My new Sierra boxes have the smaller 5/16 nuts on them now. All the rest are 3/8. I wouldn't use that alone to determine who made them though. The white diodes should have a number you can confirm is the same used by Sierra. Mine did come in a white box labeled made in Germany though. Most knockoffs have red diodes and can be spotted easily. Not exactly certain. Just my experience.

[Merc Speed]

I ordered a set of switch boxes for 55$ I'm going to send them back unopened after what I have read here thanks for all the info everyone!

[HStream1]

That box looks Identical to what can be bought off Ebay!! https://www.ebay.com/itm/301944655257?hash=item464d4dcd99:g:R50AAOSw-itXunYS


I just bought these switch boxes from Pro Marine. I ordered part number 5775. This is what they sent me. They have no identification. The box had the label removed and the Pro label put on. Does anyone know what these are? I called them and asked who the manufacturer was and they don't know.

In the past, they have sent me Sierra 18-5775, which is labeled "Prufrex - Made in Germany".

[nelson edens]

Bud, that's what I saw. Pro Marine has not had the 5775 Sierra boxes since April. Pro marine has always had quality aftermarket parts. It would be hard to believe that they would substitute some crappy Chinese boxes that I can buy off Ebay for $49. These boxes were $128/ea. I'm wondering if I should send them back.

I can buy the real Sierra boxes on ebay for $150/ea

BTW I have never had a failure with the made in Germany boxes. I started using the Mallory 9-25100 boxes many years ago. They have morphed into the Sierra 18-5775

[HStream1]

Nelson Just My Thoughts. But I personally wouldnt trust Those Boxes. They Look WAY to much Like the Ebay Knock Offs. Topped with the fact that when you asked them who made them that didnt know???:leaving:


Bud, that's what I saw. Pro Marine has not had the 5775 Sierra boxes since April. Pro marine has always had quality aftermarket parts. It would be hard to believe that they would substitute some crappy Chinese boxes that I can buy off Ebay for $49. These boxes were $128/ea. I'm wondering if I should send them back.

I can buy the real Sierra boxes on ebay for $150/ea

BTW I have never had a failure with the made in Germany boxes. I started using the Mallory 9-25100 boxes many years ago. They have morphed into the Sierra 18-5775

[Merc Speed]

How about these from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-International-18-5775-Switch-Box/dp/B0000AYZ7L#customerReviews

[Smalltownbassin]

How about these from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-International-18-5775-Switch-Box/dp/B0000AYZ7L#customerReviews

Those are genuine Sierra boxes.

[Merc Speed]

Thanks looks like a much better box!

[scott reierson]

Wow,

Thanks for this thread. I just got done shopping for Mercury P/N 332 -7778 switch boxes (CDI 114-7778 Ignition packs). Things got complicated.

The very inexpensive "Oriental Power" boxes appear to be marketed as CDI brand boxes but the fine print says that they can "replace the CDI stuff". What a snake pit.

Is Pro Marine selling the real Sierras Merc boxes now filled with that clear potting goo? That clear potting goo is new to me?

I was looking at getting the CDI 114 7778 boxes with the ground wire still shown black potting goo, with the built in bias protection. I'll have to call CDI to find out whats going on. It's hard to tell who is selling what.

Thanks to all for asking and posting this info!

[faztbullet]

EMP sells the Prufex boxes

[Smalltownbassin]

Wow,

Thanks for this thread. I just got done shopping for Mercury P/N 332 -7778 switch boxes (CDI 114-7778 Ignition packs). Things got complicated.

The very inexpensive "Oriental Power" boxes appear to be marketed as CDI brand boxes but the fine print says that they can "replace the CDI stuff". What a snake pit.

Is Pro Marine selling the real Sierras Merc boxes now filled with that clear potting goo? That clear potting goo is new to me?

I was looking at getting the CDI 114 7778 boxes with the ground wire still shown black potting goo, with the built in bias protection. I'll have to call CDI to find out whats going on. It's hard to tell who is selling what.

Thanks to all for asking and posting this info!

"CDI" is the type of ignition system so the ads for the knockoffs arent necessarily wrong. What throws most people off is the fact that "CDI" is in "CDI Electronics" brand name so they assume "CDI" is the brand. You can buy the genuine Sierra boxes on amazon also. Just make sure the description says made in Germany by Sierra international. Pro marine USA does sell them but they seem to be out of stock more often than they have them available.

[Jay Smith]

Over the years I’ve had great luck with either OEM or CDI from Pro Marine but I always buy them in pairs of like parts and change both at same time …

Jay @ JSRE

[scott reierson]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for all the info it helps.

My recent inquires told me the Pro Marine 18-5775 with the clear potting material and the two white do dads encased at the top of the PCB are the German Sierra Packs.

The less expensive ones with the Red/Orange do dads are made by others.

The two do dads I mentioned above, appear to be "Mica" style capacitors. However I have yet to confirm what that actual component type is.

[Merc Speed]

Such great information on this fantastic website thank you everybody so willing to help everyone and a special thanks to Greg for everything he does to keep the website going and as honest as possible!!!!

[TEXAS20225]

just my .02 i saw these rice rocket boxs show at my shop a 2 years ago on a economy boaters boat that needs some help these were 25.00 a pair off ebay at that time his explanation was it just does not run as good after i put these new boxs on. first thing i noticed was steel nuts and already flash rusting{ hmmm this cant be good rusting what about brass nuts are they that cheap??) anyway he left it i dont do service work but this person got a lower unit from me and said he was not able to take it to a dealer money wise so i caved i checked all the normal suspects nothing i indexed the flywheel to see if it was double firing and it was on both boxs, i have a bunch of old boxs laying around i put 2 of those on and it straightened right up that all i know about them other then the fact i was all most persuaded to buy some because they were 25.00 a pair but i did not , i called him come get it and did not charge him , by the way" ALL" switch boxs will double fire if the diodes between cylinders break down

[Forkin' Crazy]

Over the years I’ve had great luck with either OEM or CDI from Pro Marine but I always buy them in pairs of like parts and change both at same time …

Jay @ JSRE

Yep! If one is bad, it may take the other out. Same with a stator. Have a bad stator, put new switch boxes on also, and the bias wire is CHEAP!

[CI STV]

Anyone know what’s the difference between the A12 and A14 Merc (and black and blue CDI brand) switch boxes? I know the latter is the Merc Racing version, but at what performance/rpm level will the regular version not be good enough? What’s the risk of using the low-performance variant?

[seansbaja1982]

Do u have to reset the timing after installing new switch boxes? Or bolt them on and go...

[Forkin' Crazy]

Do u have to reset the timing after installing new switch boxes? Or bolt them on and go...

Won't hurt to check it. When I did mine, I didn't have to adjust it, but I did check it.

[Merc 2.5]

Anyone know what’s the difference between the A12 and A14 Merc (and black and blue CDI brand) switch boxes? I know the latter is the Merc Racing version, but at what performance/rpm level will the regular version not be good enough? What’s the risk of using the low-performance variant?

The diff is the price tag. Ole t-rex swears he gets just ad much or more rpm from the non hipo boxes (blue) there's threads on here in the archives

[Forkin' Crazy]

The diff is the price tag. Ole t-rex swears he gets just ad much or more rpm from the non hipo boxes (blue) there's threads on here in the archives

I thought they had larger capacitors?

[Merc 2.5]

I thought they had larger capacitors?

They mite have. I haven't tried get that deep in em. But from reading t Rex stuff , I didn't feel like it would benefit much if any for the price tag difference. Especially on a heavy rig , he was testing on that light ass boat he had

[TEXAS20225]

my 225 promax brand new in 1995 had a14's on them i had a friend that lived in Alabama who did the racing deal was sponsored and the 260 had 15's on them in the same era they read different when you ohm them much lower im thinking i have 3 used a15 around here some where but u know bout that thinking stuff:rolleyes:

[Qshot1989]

I have heard from an old merc man that has disected these boxes say that Sierra has the most similar internals in comparison to factory merc boxes quality.

[rgsauger]

I just bought new German Sierras today for $148 each on amazon. Be here Monday. I had a three cylinder Merc today. :nonod: