coil testing

[Phantom17]

Got a multi meter, tested it on DC one tip to each side of the coil while running, boat started to stall out. Put black on block red to + on coil, boat started to stall. Bad coil or normal?

 

[Don S]

Re: coil testing

That's not the way to test a coil. All you did was create a short from + to -.<br />What are you trying to find out? and on what engine?

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

Checking voltage 2.5 gm omc, 1981. Looking to see what it's at.

 

[Don S]

Re: coil testing

Looking to see what it's at.

Looking to see WHAT is at? <br />Are you wanting to see what the voltage to the coil is while it's running????

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

yes. I was told that my bogging problem might have been ignition related. It's a GM motor, and a ford coil. Not sure it matters, but I'm wondering that the previous owner grabbed an old junk yard one as a quick fix, now it's headed outward. Rund fine on land all rpm, and fine in water in neutral, and real low rpm then skips. After this and my dwell meter arrives, I'll do points. Did plugs and rotor already. Thanks Don

 

[Don S]

Re: coil testing

Why don't you just get the proper parts for your engine, do a complete tuneup (in your case, include coil and plug wires), including a compression test and a vacuum test. Then if the comp. test is ok, install the new parts. Set the dwell with your new meter, set the initial timing at the proper rpm, check your advance timing for degrees vs. rpm. Then adjust the idle mixture on the carb and set the idle rpm.<br />Then, make a test run and post your results.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

I discovered the coil by poking around and finding ford stamped on the back side of it. Once I get my drive from florida, and the money for some new parts, I'll start replacing. Is it normal to just replace coils in the marine environment?!?!?! Seems to me every few years maybe, but to just replace things in hopes that it might have been the problem isn't very cost effective. I know breaking down in the water isn't either, but where I boat, a 90 year old could row in a 16 footer like mine if he had to.

 

[Don S]

Re: coil testing

Since the boat is new to you, if you can't do a full tuneup (which is considered preventive maintenance) and replace the obviously wrong parts (Coil) just to get some idea where you stand when first starting out with a used boat, then you are going to be spending a lot more time and money than necessary trying to find out what's wrong.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

I got it in march, used it til june, shoulder sergery (aug) and ignition prob (june/july). Boat ran great for 12 outings until this. Started parting it out, (getting away from OMC, until I found a drive I couldn't pass on). I'll hang it, have the cable professionally adjusted, (Impeller pump rebuild kit is on the way), use it til the end of the year, winterize it and trade it in for bigger & newer with a merc next year. I wanted a small "learning" boat first.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: coil testing

I've had a Evinrude coil needing a ballast resistor that was a match for the old coil on a GM 350 Volvo Penta with points. Which ran fine after trashing the 2 buck condenser made by who knows who, that was the problem, trashing the points, made by ?. Do a complete tune up, or let the 90 year old tow ya around!<br /> <br />The list gets longer......

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: coil testing

You have a bad voltmeter. toss it right quick before it starts a fire on a circuit with serious current capability.<br />A multimeter on the volts scale should not create ANY kind of a short. They should be protected to 600V resistance.. someone has smoked yours

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

I just took it out of the plastic! Read the manual, said point to highest number if unknown volts at circuit. Set it to 2000, and touched it to each side of the coil. Grnd is at grng, + is at 10ADC

 

[KaGee]

Re: coil testing

That voltage is acceptable.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: coil testing

Originally posted by jh19:<br /> + is at 10ADC

read some more...<br /><br />the 10A scale is for CURRENT. There's you short circuit!<br /><br />On Amps, the meter allows flow..i.e. a dead short, and measures the flow through that short for you.<br /><br />You want the V scale and the V hole for your red lead.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: coil testing

Thanks, my bad. Thought I read it the other way around.