Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

[ward cleaver]

Everyone recommends 7mm ignition wires. But there is a debate on whether it is better to use copper core (twisted strand) or stainless steel (twisted strand). It may depend on the year of the outboard. Mine are 1970 or older. What is your experience with ignition wires that you have replaced?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

I don't think I have ever seen stainless steel plug wire, have never asked about it, I have always used copper core wires. Don't see why the copper core won't work, has been used a lot of years with great success.

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

I went out trying to find copper core and all the shops here said all they use is stainless steel and have done so for many years.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

Doesn't make any difference, Cu, Fe or SS will all work fine, just no carbon filament resistor core wire.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

Merc uses stranded Stainless Steel. In saltwater conditions, I would think it would work better than copper or iron....

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Ignition wire: stainless steel or copper core

My guess is that the inlanders use copper because thats what the OE used. But those in saltwater regions used SS to fight corrosion. Apparently there is no actual performance difference. I suppose I'll use SS just because that's what all the shops around here use. If I were planning on going out on the sound, I would definitely use SS.