Merc tech

[pcrussell50]

Totally agree about cheap ass switch boxes. They will melt your damn motor down. In the USA, “CDI“ is a brand. They are using the Termanology as an adjective, not a brand. Two for $60 is crap. They should be about 300 to 350 for a pair of Sierra that are made in Germany. Cheap Chinese switch boxes will literally melt your motor down. Avoid the temptation. I would rather run used good OEM switch boxes than new Chinese crap.

You were one of the “big dogs” I was referring to when I advised against using the knockoffs.

Thread hijack…
As I prep a recently purchased 2.4/200 for duty next season, I see that it has “new” stator, base, and switch boxes. I immediately suspect that they are cheap Chinesium junk. At least that’s what I suspect. Is there a way to tell? Some kinds of labels markings, serial numbers, that kind of thing?

I was planning on just moving the known-good electrics from my 2.0/150 over to the 2.4/200. But if the “new” stuff on the 2.4 can be verified as actually OK, then I’d just as soon stick with it.

-Peter

[KIRCHNER]

well i switched boxes & now have good spark all 6! Buttoned all up, hitched up, pulled it out, put the muff on, no freakin water. broken water main down the road.. cant win.

[rgsauger]

Glad you're all good now

[David - WI]

well i switched boxes & now have good spark all 6! Buttoned all up, hitched up, pulled it out, put the muff on, no freakin water. broken water main down the road.. cant win.

Need an expert but I think that means the bias circuit failed in the first switch box (only one bias circuit is used) so now you're using the other one and have spark on all six... but I don't know if it's OK to run that way.
Everybody says to change both switchboxes if one fails.

[pcrussell50]

well i switched boxes & now have good spark all 6! Buttoned all up, hitched up, pulled it out, put the muff on, no freakin water. broken water main down the road.. cant win.

Thanks for following up. It really helps us rookies develop our own diagnostic skills.

===

And!? Dave just has to throw a wrench in it (pun intended )

Need an expert but I think that means the bias circuit failed in the first switch box (only one bias circuit is used) so now you're using the other one and have spark on all six... but I don't know if it's OK to run that way.
Everybody says to change both switchboxes if one fails.

Now there is another good question/loose end that needs addressing.

-Peter

[KIRCHNER]

Its a no go. with the switched boxes, backfire, kicks back timing berserk. put the boxes in original position, fired right up but 2-4-6 very weak. wonder# why it wont run at all when i switched boxes? #6 is totally dead, # 4 iffy #2 good.

[KIRCHNER]

Glad you're all good now

no, i wish. wont run with boxes switched.

[OnPad]

Did the trigger wires follow the coil wires in the switch over?

[KIRCHNER]

Did the trigger wires follow the coil wires in the switch over?

I Messed up, didnt switch all the wires. i should just blow 500$. get new boxes,stator,trigger. it drove me crazy years ago, replaced it with a 2.5. i kept it only because its a 15'' ridgeback with the clamshell mariner cowl, cool looking. and loud.

[OnPad]

It definitely sounds like one bad switchbox.
I would save the $500+ and buy a dva adapter, $20. If you study the pics I posted, all pertinent test info is listed.

[ChrisCarsonMarine]

Easy test with no equipment is move the blue and red stator wires from inside to outside on the switchbox,and vice versa.Now the stator charge coils are powering different switchboxes,if the strong spark changes sides,bad stator...if it stays on the same side,bad switchbox.
Easier yet,watch the weak spark and rev the motor to 2500-3000 and see if the spark energy returns to normal...if it does the stator has a bad low speed winding on one side...bad stator.

[KIRCHNER]

I Did the stator test & trigger shows good. thanks for the post. ohms only. hey Chris, we just spoke on the phone, about that bad T P I . Art K.