Running Coil without resistor

[JasonR]

I have found that my boat will only start hot when the resistor is removed. I have a 351w with petronix ignition, coil that states it to be used with a resistor, ignition wired to keyed 12 volt. I don't have the "jumper" wire because it blows my breaker because its feeding my starter motor through the ignition wire.

I ran it bypassing the resistor for about 2 hours. It appears that the volts when running are around 10- 11. If I D/C the neg post and ground it then meter the volt from the pos. to ground with the key on I get about 10.5 and it drops to about 8 on cranking. The coil is hot but so is everything else under the cowl. I have a prestolite could coming but if it is resisted and won't run (like when I have the ballist resistor hooked up) then I'm back to square one. Thoughts?

 

[Don S]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

There is supposed to be a bypass wire from the start solenoid the the + side of the coil to run full voltage to the coil during starting. Once the key is back to the run position, you should be getting power through the ballist resistor.
While it will run fine without the resistor, it will burn your points up in short order.
Look in your service manual (for whatever you have) for the wiring diagram

 

[KaGee]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

Jason, did you wire the Ignitor directly to the coil or did you connect it directly to a 12 volt source?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

you should have a wire running from the starter solenoid to the coil as Don says to give you 12 v when starting If is is blowing your breaker then there is a short in the wiring somewhere. Just run a new wire instead of chasing down the short.

 

[JasonR]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

I don't have points, I have the Petronix electronic ignition. I ran a heavy gauge wire from the large starter stud on the solenoid to the resisted side of the resistor which goes directly to the pos stud on the coil. When I turned the key on it immedietly smoked the resistor then poped the ignition breaker. I'm assuming because its feeding voltage through the ignition wire (small) directly to the starter and drawing to much amps. There was never a jumper wire. I have the petronix wired directly to a keyed 12 volt circuit. Whats the thoughts on the coil having 10-12 volts? Do the coils made for electronic ignitions drop the voltage internally or are they just made to handle the full 12 volts?

 

[Don S]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

Personally, I think you have the wiring all screwed up, and you are going to have problems till you get it put together right. Pertronix also states to keep the ballest resistor in the system or it will damage the unit. So who knows what you have done while shorting things out with your Big WIre.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

get a new coil and a ballast resistor. hook 12v to the ballast resistor. Hook the other side of the ballast resistor to the coil hot side. Run a separate hot lead to the coil hot lead through a temporay switch. when you are cranking it flip your temporary switch to give voltage directly to the coil and see if it starts when it is hot. My experience is running 12 volts to a coil that needs an external resistor will burn them up pretty quick. The jumper wire does not go to the starter side. You should have a yellow and a tan small guage wire going to your solenoid. The yellow wire goes to the key switch to engage the solenoid the tan wire should go to the hot side of the coil to give it 12v when you are starting it.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

Pertronix also states to keep the ballest resistor in the system or it will damage the unit. So who knows what you have done while shorting things out with your Big WIre.

I'm not so sure of that Don, at least for the Pertronix II. I fairly well remember when installing on both my Mustang and my Boat that they said you could leave it in circuit but may not get the full advantage of the system. I distinctly remember trying to find the ballast resister/wire in my Mustang and could not find any. I also bypassed the resistor pot on my OMC. I don't think that I would have taken it upon myself to do those things if I didn't read it in the instructions.

I'll round up my documentation and get back on this.

 

[JasonR]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

I talked to the Tech at Petronix several times. They state leaving the resister in when you install it because most people don't/won't check the ohms of there existing coil and this will take care of it if it doesn't have at least 1.5. He stated that as long as you have 1.5 ohms of resistace in the coil you would be fine on the ignitions side. I'm not worried about that. I'm curious about the coil. I think I had the jumper wire hooked up wrong (keep in mind that it never had one). If I understanding you right Freddy, I'm suppose to hook it up to the same small post as the key switch? Wouldn't this energize the solenoid when I turn the key to "run"? Thanks for all of the posts we'll get this licked!!

 

[JasonR]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

The wires that are on my starter solenoid are as follows. Large guage coming from battery and a little smaller gauge wire coming from 40 breaker that ultimately comes from alternator (both on one large stud, Large gauge going to starter, White smaller gauge coming from neutral switch on tranni (I believe its marked "S" but don't quote me on that).

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

I'd guess you had a problem,and installed the Petronix or whatever.You still have the problem.

DHP

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

Jason If you have a manual and I am betting you don't you can clearly see the wiring diagram for your motor. You have several threads started on this same subject, but if you have a 351 then it is either the 233 or the 255
TRS II they are a little different in the way they are wired. I believe from you description that you have a 233, but I don't know. You need to get a manual and find out which one. The manual I have shows two red wires on one side of the solenoid. One runs to the circuit breaker the other comes from the battery, but through the lug on the starter. The other large lug on your solenoid runs from there to the starter. My wiring diagram shows a black wire running from one of the small terminals to the neutral safety switch. The other small terminal should have a yellow wire that runs to your key switch. NOW on the starter itself you should have three terminal. One red wire large guage that goes to the battery. One yellow large guage that goes to the solenoid. And the third terminal should have a tan wire that goes to the hot lead on the coil that will provide the extra voltage when the starter is running. Some of these are different and without knowing what model you have I can't tell you anymore, but none of the wiring diagrams are exactly as your describe.

 

[JasonR]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

What do you mean by a 233 or 255? And your right a manual is something I should have. Well, now I'm completely confused. You say the accual starter has three terminals. That sounds like a chevy starter not a ford. I only have one large cable going to the starter. I can't believe the wiring is so screwed up with me using it for 7 years now and no real problems till last year wich I fixed (so it seems) with a new carb and now it is back but different in nature. The boat is a Correct Craft with a PCM 351w and a 1:1 velvet drive inboard. Is there anywere on the net were I can take a look at the schematics. As for the double post - I was trying to just get info on a coil and it turned into my last post sorry.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

233 or 255 horse power, I can't pm you or I would give you my phone number to call me as I have the manual in front of me now. my email is fdroney@charter.net send me you phone number

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

if you only have one wire going to the starter then it comes from the solenoid a large guage yellow wire. The white wire you show actually is probably bleach out cause my manual shows it to be yellow, but anyway it goes to the neutral safety switch. you should have one unused terminal on the solenoid. According to the manual I have there should be a wire running from it to the hot lead on the coil.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

just reread you post. I have been assuming it was a Mercruiser not an inboard. I don't have a manual on inboards, but do your self a favor and run a wire from the battery through a switch. When you are starting it hot and it won't start turn the switch on to give the hot side a full 12 volts. I did read correctly that you ran a new wire to the resistor from the ignition. If you are using the old wiring it has a resistor built into it and you are effectively doubling the resistance with the old wire. I know it is frustrating. I installed my petronix a couple of weeks ago and have had it out three weekends now and it runs great. So I really do know what I am doing on this anyway.

 

[JasonR]

Re: Running Coil without resistor

I just found the wiring diagram on the net. It shows that how my boat is wired is correct. No jumper to the ignition. Mine has a ballist resistor not a inline resistor. I'll try the additional switch idea. thanks