"Candy Bar" stator question???

[fishin1789]

I have a 1992 120hp L-drive that has an aftermarket stator (red) with what has been called a "candy bar" between the stator and the switchbox. Does anyone know what this small (1/2" x 1" x 4") item actually does? It is wired between the stator and switchbox and is grounded. Does anyone know how to check the high speed windings in the stator with this additional part? This is the Thunderbolt ignition. I do not have the red stator wire that connects to the switchbox as stated in the Clymer manual. The boat will only run about 2500-2700 rpm, so I'm thinking that the high speed windings in the stator may be bad???? PLEASE HELP! I need this thing running soon or the girlfriend is going to make me sleep in it!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Has it ever run above 2500 - 2700 RPM's? Are you saying that you do not have a red wire coming off the stator at all?

According to the manual, the high speed windings should read 75 to 90 ohms. High speed winding wire colors to check are red and red/white coming off of the stator. Low speed winding should read 3250 to 3650 ohms. Colors are Blue and blue/white. Make sure you disconnect one of the wires to eliminate anything else in the system from affecting the readings.

The "candy bar" is an adapter between the switch box and stator. It can be eliminated if you change the stator to one that doesn't require one.

 

[fishin1789]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Yes, I'm saying that there is NO red wire connected to the switchbox from the stator. Like I mentioned, this engine must have an aftermarket stator, since the wiring is missing. a previous post said that these "candy bars" were somewhat common with aftermarket stators??? This switchbox does not have the top and bottom left hand side terminals connected to any wires???

This engine has ran over 2500 rpm a few times. I bought it from the previous owner that had spent $1500 trying to get it fixed. It ran once or twice up to 4400 rpm.(once all day long) Next time out, and ever since it will only turn about 2500 rpm. Compression is good (120psi) no variance, fuel system is good (pressure is 4lbs at 2000 rpm), I'm leaning toward an electrical problem. The Clymer manual says that this type of ignition has low and high speed windings. The low speed are supposed to go up to 2500 rpm and then the high speed should take over??? Does this make sense? Can I unplug the candy bar without damaging the system? Do you think I should invest the money on a new stator with the info that I have? Is there an aftermarket stator supplier with a tech line? Thanks!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Sounds like something is not right. I just looked at an ignition system that uses the switch box with the candy bar. It has the red stator though. It does not have a red wire coming out from it either. Has two yellow wires that go to the voltage regulator and a white/green and a green/white wire that goes to the candy bar adapter. So much for the manuals!

The replacement stators that I see all have a red wire, and they also do away with the "candy bar" adapter. I suspect that you will have to use one of the replacement stators manufactured by CDI Electronics. I suspect that the stator that you have may not be an aftermarket replacement stator, but rather an OEM unit.

 

[roscoe]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

The company to contact is CDI Electronics.
candy bar the answer

http://www.cdielectronics.com/

They are the experts, and manufacture both oem and aftermarket ignition components.

I don't know if your stator is one of "theirs", but I know they have dealt with this problem before.

Call them, see what they say.

If they can't provide the correct wiring setup to correct your problem, they can help , or recommend the correct part and setup.


CDI Tech Support Line at 866-423-4832

 

[fishin1789]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Thanks guys! I thought I was going to go completely dingy looking at the wiring in that darn manual! I'm sure CDI Electronics can help. Are used stators worth buying or are you just buying something waiting to fail? What's your opinion?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

I haven't had a problem with used stators, but that's just been my experience. In your case though, if you can find the proper used aftermarket CDI unit, that would be the best of both worlds as far as cost. You can get one new for around $200.

Again, all the aftermarket ones that I see do away with the "candy bar" adapter. The fact that you still have the adapter would indicate that it may not be an aftermarket one, rather an OEM unit. Or maybe the previous person working on it didn't realize it shouldn't be using the adapter. Who knows.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Just did some more checking on the unit that I have sitting in my garage. It has the red stator with the white/green and green/white wires coming out of the stator. Also has two yellow wires. The green/white and white/green wires go to the candy bar, which is connected to the switch box. I disconnected the wires and measured 640 ohms across them from the stator. There is no low speed/high speed windings on these stators.

The switch box itself has 11 connections on it. 4 connections for the trigger. 4 connections that go to each of the 4 coils. 2 connections for the stator (grn/wht and wht/grn). One Blk/wht wire for the engine kill circuit.

If you have additional terminals on you switch box that are not connected to anything, it would indicate that there is a mis-match between the switch box and the stator. I would guess that it's the wrong switch box. I suspect that it's probably a unit from a 5 cylinder 150 HP motor.

It appears that the system that you have, and the unit that I have are unique. I can not find any replacement switch boxes with just 11 terminals for a 4 cylinder Force motor. They all show 13 terminals. This is to accommodate two additional wires from the stator.

Here is what I think has happened. The previous person working on the motor probably suspected that the original 11 position switch box had gone bad. They too, could not locate a replacement w/11 terminals, so they used one from a 5 cylinder, or they used one for a 4 cylinder that has 13 terminals.

How many terminals are on your switch box?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

I checked the switch box again. It does have 13 terminals after all. Two of them are not used and have plastic screw on caps.

I've included a picture and the wiring.

 

[fishin1789]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

That is EXACTLY how mine is wired. I've got the 2 plastic screw caps on the top and bottom left side that do not have any wires connected to them. I have not been able to check the ohm readings since the monsoon season looks to have started here! I'll check the stator when it stops raining and let you know what the readings are. Thanks a bunch!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

The purpose of the candy bar is to reduce the output voltage of the stator to the switch box. Stators that just have two output wires (grn/wht, wht/grn) to the ignition circuit require the candy bar, other wise it will damage the switch box. Systems that have four wires to the ignition system (red, blue, red/wht, blu/wht) do not require the candy bar. If you look closely at the two terminals on your switch box, you'll see that they're marked red,and red/wht. The switch box will work with either type of stator.

Now that that's clear, back to your problem....LOW RPM's. Could be caused by fuel or ignition. Sounds like you've eliminated the fuel pump since it's putting out 4 PSI. Does the primer bulb get firm after four or five squeezes? If not, then the needle valve in the carb(s) may not be sealing properly, or the float is set too high. Also check for leaks around the carbs when squeezing the primer bulb.

To trouble-shoot the ignition system I've attached a link from the CDI Electronics WEB site. Info on your system starts on page 22.

http://www.cdielectronics.com/downloads/CDI_TS_Guide.pdf

 

[fishin1789]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Just checked the stator resistance and got a 634 reading thru the green/white to white/green wires. From what I'm reading that should be good! Going back to the manual to do further electrical tests. I'll eliminate the electrical and then go to the fuel system.

 

[fishin1789]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

OK, here's where I am so far.....Did a preliminary check as outlined in the Clymer manual, All four plug wires had a 7/16" spark with a spark tester. Went ahead and checked the stop circuit, it was fine. Checked stator resistance, it was fine. Checked trigger resistance, it was fine. Checked ignition coil resistance on all four coils, they were all good.

I'm at a point where I don't know where to look next. I'm going to call CDI Electronics next to see if they can help.

Anyone have any ideas???

 

[pnwboat]

Re: "Candy Bar" stator question???

Well it appears that the ignition system is in order. Next thing to check is the Fuel system. Start with the basics. The fuel tank has to be vented. If it's plugged up, you will not get proper fuel flow. To check, loosen the gas cap to allow air into the tank when running and see if this helps. There may be some debris in the tank that is moving around in there restricting fuel flow. To check inside the tank, you have to remove the fuel sending assy. Usually located at the back of the tank where the fuel fill hose enters the tank. I think 5 scews hold it in place. If that checks out, the carbs are the next step.