Converting 2 hp Johnson to Electronic ignition.

[Bonaventure]

I have heard that when installing a Capacitor Discharge Ignition module that you can keep the points and substitute the Module for the Condenser only. This supposedly turns the points into a switch that is accurate to fire at the right timing.

Is this true or is it a ghost story?

 

[Crosbyman]

why bother... the standard ignition is easy to maintain with inexpensive parts


​ if it works don't fix it

 

[Bonaventure]

I already have an ignition module and am going to pull the flywheel off to install a kill switch.

 

[interalian]

Thought the 2 already has a kill with the throttle all the way to the left? Mine works just fine as originally built.

 

[jimmbo]

What is this fascination with adding CD ignitions to engines this week?

 

[RCO]

The OMC magneto ignition is magnificently simple and reliable. Parts are cheap and available everywhere. I see no point (pun intended) in switching to an electronic ignition, especially if you are still using the points as a trigger. If you really feel the need for a kill switch/man overboard switch, just run a wire from the points to the switch, and the other switch wire to ground.

 

[ondarvr]

I've had a few of those motors over the years and don't recall ever having a problem with the stock ignition system

 

[oldboat1]

I have heard that when installing a Capacitor Discharge Ignition module that you can keep the points and substitute the Module for the Condenser only. This supposedly turns the points into a switch that is accurate to fire at the right timing.

Is this true or is it a ghost story?

You talking about the Atom module? Think I would do a google search for info. -- might be able to find one somewhere on Ebay (obsolete item, I'm pretty sure). Think there were different modules for different applications.

 

[Bonaventure]

I put an Atom module in an 83 version of the same motor that I owned years ago. I thought it improved low speed operation. You cannot get the Atom module anymore, I have a different module that I am thinking of installing.

The kill switch that I wish to install is one with a safety lanyard. Early this week a fellow here in Nova Scotia fell out of his boat. The boat was found doing circles in the lake. His obituary was in this morning's newspaper. I also have the engine kill feature mentioned in the earlier post.

My original question is, can I install the module and just get rid of the condenser with the idea being that the points can act as a switch. I did not ask if I should put the module in or not, only if it will work if I keep the points in place. Since a condenser is really a capacitor and the module is a capacitor discharge unit I suspect it may be so, just am not sure

Can someone answer my original question without advising me not to proceed on this? I am either going to install the module or not. I am very familiar with these engines.

 

[tomhath]

A cheap lawnmower module doesn't need the points or condenser.

 

[RCO]

The module replaces the points and condenser. You can still wire in the lanyard switch and kill switch the same as you would with points.

 

[fhhuber]

Just because you can do it, doesn't mean its a good idea.

Yes, you can get an electronic ignition system (even one made for model aircraft engines would work) and make the engine run with it.

I got a Kawasaki jet ski engine to run with a 2 cyl model aircraft ignition to prove the engine was worth repairing the OEM ignition. Then I got the correct ignition system fixed.

These engines have operated just fine for many year with the OEM system. If its running, there's no good reason to change it.

It depends on the electronic ignition as to if the points can be used or not. If the points can be used, they MUST be used. Most of the electronic ignitions you can get now will use a "Hall Effect" sensor and will not use points. They'll use a magnet on the flywheel. As the flywheel passes the sensor it will trigger the ignition.

Some of the hall effect ignitions are getting VERY smart and will automatically adjust timing by trying slightly different timing and sensing the effect on RPM then choosing the best timing offset vs the magnet going past the sensor.

 

[Bonaventure]

I understand what you are saying. However, I have a brand new Nova II ignition module in my possession and am going to pull the flywheel in order to install a Lanyard Safety Kill Switch. So why should I NOT install the module I have at the same time? Is it inferior to points and condenser? I don,t know when the ignition was last serviced, it could be 39 years old.

I just wanted to know if I could change out only the condenser, not have advice on whether I should keep the factory ignition. I read some post that said the points would activate the electronic ignition more precisely. Since I didn't get a response to this question, I am going to pull points and condenser. I know that that works. I will put a new spark plug wire in as well.

I have installed the Atom ignition module on a few outboards, back in the 1990s, and they worked great. So should the Nova II.