Replace Both Power Packs?

[t_money662]

Mechanic tells me I need a power pack.. #3 isn't firing on my mercury 1400, he went through the troubleshooting and came up with this. The shop has a used one for $100 installed, cheaper than I can find online.
I have heard that you should replace both power packs at once? Is putting a working used one on my boat bad? I really do not want to buy 2 of them, funds are kind of tight after I just put about $800 in this boat in the last week
I actually found a used one on ebay for about $50 and am thinking about buying it an installing myself to save $50..but I thought I would ask for some opinions on replacing 1 only, and it being used.

 

[Milduff]

Re: Replace Both Power Packs?

T money, go ahead with a used one....shouldnt hurt anything. Just keep in mind that it is "used". I have never heard anyone say replace both at once unless you go by the ol saying " If one is good Two is better.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Replace Both Power Packs?

You replace both if the bia's circuit is not to spec's(14000 ohms) if one pack is higher/lower than other you replace both...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Replace Both Power Packs?

Before you replace either, disconnect the bias jumper between them and see if the bug goes away or moves. If it does, the bad pack is the one that looks good.

There's reasons why you sometimes have to replace both packs.

hope it helps
John