Is there a better way?

[Karl_Childers]

I was considering that the 2 switchbox system is kind of a zoo in that there are a lot of parts to fail. Mercury switchboxes aren't indestructable, and frankly, while they do hold up for a while, I was wondering if there is a better electronic ignition that could be retrofitted to the Black max 2 switchbox ignition. The whole system seems kind of dated when compared to coil over plug ignition. Mechanical advance timing seems a little dated as well. There are CDI boxes out there now that do it all, and quite reliably. I dunno, I might be splitting hairs here, but I was wondering if anyone had tried a different system?

 

[pepper]

Re: Is there a better way?

yes, research,I say we can rebuild them Karl.

 

[Karl_Childers]

Re: Is there a better way?

bump

 

[j_martin]

Re: Is there a better way?

I like the mercury dual switchbox system. It is amost totally redundant, and non-redundant parts (kill circuit, timing modules) can be rendered inoperative with a wire cutter or line cutter or bowie knife, freeing the engine to run well within safe range.

There are 2 complete banks, so any 1 failure will take out 1, 2, or 3 cylinders, but seldom more. Because it's 2 cycle and lubed with the fuel, you can run it back to the landing like that, instead of being stranded.

Modern totally electronic systems have many single points of failure that can down it. They are built so that if the computer ain't dead, and it has any sort of a crankshaft reference, it can guess on the timing and keep running, but that sort of backup is just natural to the merc system.

Can it be improved. No doubt. The "advance" modules, for instance seem pretty sophomoric in design.

just my 02
John