Switch Box / Power Pack Question

[Outrage 19]

This question is just because I’m a curious SOB. Do the Switch Boxes on my 87 Merc V-150 SN: 0B156087, on Evenrude / Johnson they would be called Power Packs, amplify the spark coming from the stator or do they just store the spark until the trigger sends a signal to send it out a particular terminal and the coils do all of the amplification?

 

[clanton]

Re: Switch Box / Power Pack Question

Some do, some dont. A 2000 90 degree johnson carb V4 engine puts 175 volts to the pack and the pack puts 150 volts to the coil at cranking rpms. The V6 puts 130 volts to the pack, and the pack puts 100 volts to the coil. The voltage increases some, when engine is running. The late model V6 carb Merc at 3000 rpms has 230-320 volts to switchbox and 175-240 volts to coil.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: Switch Box / Power Pack Question

Thanks Clanton, I'm just trying to get a better understanding of how these things work.