Switch Boxes

**Merc Speed** · 09-18-2021, 08:54 AM

How about these from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Intern...ustomerReviews

**Smalltownbassin** · 09-18-2021, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Merc Speed

How about these from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Intern...ustomerReviews

Those are genuine Sierra boxes.

**Merc Speed** · 09-18-2021, 07:05 PM

Thanks looks like a much better box!

**scott reierson** · 10-13-2021, 09:56 PM

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** · 10-14-2021, 04:41 AM

EMP sells the Prufex boxes

**Smalltownbassin** · 10-14-2021, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by 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!

"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** · 10-14-2021, 07:03 AM

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** · 10-15-2021, 12:49 PM

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** · 10-15-2021, 07:03 PM

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** · 10-15-2021, 08:50 PM

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** · 10-16-2021, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 10-17-2021, 07:11 AM

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** · 10-17-2021, 08:09 AM

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

**Forkin' Crazy** · 10-19-2021, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by seansbaja1982

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** · 10-20-2021, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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