Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

[a1nowell]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Jacalore,
I had the Pertronix ignition and a regular 12v coil and it worked great for several years. Then about 2 years ago my coil went bad, I install a new automotive 12v coil and it lasted only about 6 months, caused hesitation on acceleration. I finally bought a Pertronix FlameThrower, 40,000v coil and problem was solved. Also the engine starts more quickly, less cranking.

just my $0.02's worth.

Larry

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Jacalore,
I had the Pertronix ignition and a regular 12v coil and it worked great for several years. Then about 2 years ago my coil went bad, I install a new automotive 12v coil and it lasted only about 6 months, caused hesitation on acceleration. I finally bought a Pertronix FlameThrower, 40,000v coil and problem was solved. Also the engine starts more quickly, less cranking.

just my $0.02's worth.

Larry

Thanks, Larry, I'll keep that in mind.
Hope to get down to the bay for a trail in the next few days. I'm cautiously optimistic... been chasing this problem all !@#$! summer!

 

[alldodge]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Ran the straight wire, bypassing the resistance wire, and the throttle now accelerates the rpm!
Couple questions: The coil seems to be running hot, took a voltage reading - all within PerTronix specs. Coil normally runs hot (never checked before)? And, once in a while, when giving it throttle, the engine hesitates. Normal?
Thanks!

If you still have the original coil then it is probably one which requires an external resistor as previously discussed. If this is the case go get a marine coil which does not require and external resistor and you will be fine. All modern (non-point) distributers which use coils today do not use resistors, they only continue to make the old ones for older engines which have not been converted.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

If you still have the original coil then it is probably one which requires an external resistor as previously discussed. If this is the case go get a marine coil which does not require and external resistor and you will be fine. All modern (non-point) distributers which use coils today do not use resistors, they only continue to make the old ones for older engines which have not been converted.

Thanks, Dodge. I looked on PerTronix page for the Flamethrower coil and it comes in 3 different (internal) resistances.
How can I tell what coil is on there now? It's black, feels like smooth plastic coated, no numbers that I can see. Thanks.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

If it was the original which was used with points, then it requires a resistor. Since your not using a resistor now, get the standard Merc 12V coil

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

If it was the original which was used with points, then it requires a resistor. Since your not using a resistor now, get the standard Merc 12V coil

I couldn't agree any more here.

Plus that should be one of the main reasons it seems so hot just in the short time of test running while on the trailer at home and chances are you're going to be in the same boat as a1nowell going through coils or being towed in at some point.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Not sure which coil I have, trying to contact prevowner to see if he changed the coil with the pertronix conversion. Seems there is an assortment of replacement coils out there, different resistances, etc. Maybe better to match a pertronix coil. But yes, I hear you, I don't need a tow!!!
Thanks, Fun Times and AllDodge!

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Jacalore,
I had the Pertronix ignition and a regular 12v coil and it worked great for several years. Then about 2 years ago my coil went bad, I install a new automotive 12v coil and it lasted only about 6 months, caused hesitation on acceleration. I finally bought a Pertronix FlameThrower, 40,000v coil and problem was solved. Also the engine starts more quickly, less cranking.

just my $0.02's worth.

Larry

Larry, do you recall which Flamethrower (epoxy) coil matched up with the Igniter? Thanks.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

I could not read all this stuff, so forgive me if I missed something. If you have the original coil and the original resistance wire, and it sounds like you do. Then you need to provide a full 12V to the Petronix module. You do this by removing the red wire from the coil + and attaching it to a stranded copper wire that is spliced into the purple 12V wire going to the electric choke. Use a solder connection and coat with liquid tape. That will provide a switched 12V source that the Petronix needs to work properly.

Do you have the petronix Iignitor or Ignitor II? The ignitor is designed to work with your stock coil. The Ignitor II is designed to work with the Flamethrower II low resistance coil. With the flamethrower II you remove the resistance wire and splice a stranded copper wire into the purple choke wire as stated above. After doing that you can then attach the red Petronix lead to the coil + for 12V.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Thanks, Stony. That is exactly what I have done (splice into the choke purple wire and run it to the pos side of coil), and it seems to work fine. Only I noticed the coil seemed to be running warm. I didn't know if this is normal or not. This is the original Igniter.

Found this: Flame-Thrower Ignition Coil Application Chart

And this on Pertronix site: "Igniter: System is designed for use with most point-type coils, optimal performance achieved when used with our Flame-Thrower? 40,000 volt coil."

So, I should be good for now, no? I ordered the Flamethrower to be sure. *good thing I got this boat cheap, eh?

 

[achris]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Which ignition system do you have? Ignitor or Ignitor II?

BTW, well done on finding the resistance wire was still in the circuit...

Chris.........

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Which ignition system do you have? Ignitor or Ignitor II?

BTW, well done on finding the resistance wire was still in the circuit...

Chris.........

Nice work, pointing that out, Chris!
Engine has the Igniter installed, which according to the mfg website works with original points coil. To be sure, and at a1nowell's recommendation, I have ordered the matching Flamethrower coil.

One of these days, I'd like to get out on the !@#$% water!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

And this on Pertronix site: "Igniter: System is designed for use with most point-type coils, optimal performance achieved when used with our Flame-Thrower? 40,000 volt coil."

So, I should be good for now, no? I ordered the Flamethrower to be sure. *good thing I got this boat cheap, eh?

OK your coil is getting warm because it is a 1.5 ohm coil and without the resistance wire it is seeing too high voltage. If you ordered the 3 ohm Flamethrower you should be good to go, I f you ordered the 1.5 ohm coil, that is the same as your stock coil and I think you need the resister wire, and connect the Petronix to the 12V wire. You might want to talk to the Petronix folks.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

Actually, the problem was the coil was seeing too low voltage, hence the removal of resistive wire. Too low for the Igniter to work properly, but too high for the old coil, which is probably the same thing you're saying. I ordered the 3.0 ohm, epoxy filled coil.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

So, I should be good for now, no? I ordered the Flamethrower to be sure. *good thing I got this boat cheap, eh?

You would be better off waiting for the new coil before going out on a "long run". Short trip, maybe.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

That would probably be the sensible thing... :eyebrows:

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

I ordered the 3.0 ohm, epoxy filled coil.

Then with 12V directly to the coil +, and the red Petronix lead also on the coil + you should be good.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

I have the wire from the choke bypassing the resistive wire going to the coil pos along with Igniter pos lead. This gives me about 10.75V which is good according to Pertronix (8V min). It reads over 13.5V when the engine is running.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

You could just hook the pertronix + up to the choke wire and leave the resistor wire on the coil to get by until the new coil comes.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Electronic Ignition Voltage Question

You could just hook the pertronix + up to the choke wire and leave the resistor wire on the coil to get by until the new coil comes.

If I don't jumper the resistive wire, the voltage falls to 6.5V on the coil pos. Too low for operation (8V min) and the engine stalls when you accelerate. I'm probably ok on the old coil for awhile, but I ordered the Flamethrower coil that matches up to the Igniter to be safe.

In fact, (I'm jonesin' to get on the water!) I sent Pertronix CustServ a msg asking about the present setup, and if it's dangerous or prone to fail, fire, etc? It's tough working on the boat all summer and never getting out! But, I don't want to be stupid about it.