coil question

[Ratickle]

....rear-right hand side .

...It's a boat...

[JoeD]

Mercury also found out that oil filled type coils should be mounted vertical not horizontal.

[Geronimo36]

...It's a boat...

Since it's a boat, towards the stern on the port side of the intake manifold.

[2112]

Are you guys using filter capacitors in line on the 12V and ground wires for your ignition boxes? The MSD literature lists it as a noise suppressor but the Crane manual and the MSD tech I got on the phone both said it is to protect against surges and spikes in power.

I did have them on my Crane boxes and my battery charger still cooked them so I am not sure how effective they are. Crane included a Mallory unit that has on the label "good for surges of up to 20V".

My charger is the built in unit provided by Cigarette.
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[PatriYacht]

When you say "quit" Ian, do you mean repairable or replace? I just had one go bad....

I've always just replaced them. Don't know if MSD fixes them.

[2112]

In all the Crane ignitions, they want you to place a capacitor in line on the 12V and ground lines to the ignition box. They said to protect angainst spikes and surges.

They supplied a Mallory unit that claimed to protect up to 20V. (I must have exceeded that on the charger)

MSD, according to their Tech line also suggests the capacitor, but they label it as a Radio noise suppressor. It looks just like the mallory unit but red. Tech told me it is also for spikes and surges but the instructions that come with it don't mention that at all.

I installed it even though I can't hear the radio while running. Does everyone following this thread use these?

[MERPerformance]

In all the Crane ignitions, they want you to place a capacitor in line on the 12V and ground lines to the ignition box. They said to protect angainst spikes and surges.

They supplied a Mallory unit that claimed to protect up to 20V. (I must have exceeded that on the charger)

MSD, according to their Tech line also suggests the capacitor, but they label it as a Radio noise suppressor. It looks just like the mallory unit but red. Tech told me it is also for spikes and surges but the instructions that come with it don't mention that at all.

I installed it even though I can't hear the radio while running. Does everyone following this thread use these?

2112, I have never used the capacitor with crane or msd. The only time I did was on the dyno and it failed after some testing sessions.

[2112]

How do you connect your power source lines? Do you use a toggle or perko switch for the big red heavy gauge power line or direct connect to the positive terminal of the battery?
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[DAREDEVIL]

How do you connect your power source lines? Do you use a toggle or perko switch for the big red heavy gauge power line or direct connect to the positive terminal of the battery?
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PERKO batt switch is the way to go.

Batt > Perko > Starter !!!!

[2112]

PERKO batt switch is the way to go.

Batt > Perko > Starter !!!!

I think you misunderstood my less that clear question. I am just talking about the power source lines on the ignition box itself.
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[DAREDEVIL]

I think you misunderstood my less that clear question. I am just talking about the power source lines on the ignition box itself.
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I take mine from the starter positive. ..... so basicly behind the Perko, in case something goes wrong u can always shut the Batt OFF !

[2112]

I take mine from the starter positive. ..... so basicly behind the Perko, in case something goes wrong u can always shut the Batt OFF !

Ahh. Got it. That makes sense, good suggestion.
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[Geronimo36]

I hook mine to the powered side of the slave solenoid.

[2112]

Well, I run to the battery terminal like the friggin instructions told me to do but I need a cut off switch so everything is off when it is on the trickle charger.
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[Wobble]

In all the Crane ignitions, they want you to place a capacitor in line on the 12V and ground lines to the ignition box. They said to protect angainst spikes and surges.

They supplied a Mallory unit that claimed to protect up to 20V. (I must have exceeded that on the charger)

MSD, according to their Tech line also suggests the capacitor, but they label it as a Radio noise suppressor. It looks just like the mallory unit but red. Tech told me it is also for spikes and surges but the instructions that come with it don't mention that at all.

I installed it even though I can't hear the radio while running. Does everyone following this thread use these?

I have not had any msd issues in the ten years since I started using this capacitor. (apart from a rusty billet distributer)

Prior to that I lost two boxes in one season due to a failing starter that was spiking the ignition

[Wobble]

Well, I run to the battery terminal like the friggin instructions told me to do but I need a cut off switch so everything is off when it is on the trickle charger.
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It shouldnt matter. the ignition wire (purple) turns on a relay in the msd box. As long as that is off the msd box does not draw

[Geronimo36]

Well, I run to the battery terminal like the friggin instructions told me to do but I need a cut off switch so everything is off when it is on the trickle charger.
.

If you want piece of mind you can always run the wire to the back of the battery switch so it's always turned off when you turn the switch off. Other than automatic bildge pumps, I don't recommend having power to anything when the switch is off. Even though the box doesn't draw unless the ignition is on, I like knowing all the power is cut.

I ran mine to the powered side of the slave solenoid because it's the closest connection and easiest to get to! I've seen a lot of guys put the terminal on the starter and have box problems due to corrosion and also power surges when cranking. My theory of putting it on the slave solenoid was so there was some distance from the cable on the starter and the box connection.

On my setup the slave solenoid is on the rear of the cylinderhead, along with the harness connector and the main ground so everything is in one place and I don't miss anything when I'm hooking stuff up or taking stuff off!

I don't run the filter either but I think I'm going to give it a try and see if it fixes the radio interference... I guess I'll have to report back next year on that!