points vs electronic

[justchange]

I remember a post about this a long time ago.

Since I've had time to work on the boat. I've discovered that it does not have points but an electronic sensor where the points should be. It looks rather strange but does work well. I found this out because I replaced plug wires and it wouldn't start. Not a surprize for the cut to length things. I found a set of plug wires that were the approximate correct length and added those. I also [finially] added the coil replacement. One without an external resistor. I think the resistor once again was the problem, not to mention a leaking coil.

If anyone is going to replace their coil with this type, here;s what I found.

Take the positive wires from the ballast resistor and from the distributor and put it on the positive coil connection.

Take the negative wires from the ballast resistor and put them on the negative coil connection. I had to connect the negative from the distributor and negative from the old ballast resistor to make this work.

If you have the slip on type connections, you may have to open up the connections off the old resistor to get them on the new coil.

 

[Don S]

Re: points vs electronic

I remember a post about this a long time ago.

Since I've had time to work on the boat. I've discovered that it does not have points but an electronic sensor where the points should be. It looks rather strange but does work well. I found this out because I replaced plug wires and it wouldn't start. Not a surprize for the cut to length things. I found a set of plug wires that were the approximate correct length and added those. I also [finially] added the coil replacement. One without an external resistor. I think the resistor once again was the problem, not to mention a leaking coil.

and your point? Sounds like you were about to ask a question and forgot to.

 

[justchange]

Re: points vs electronic

Nope, no question. Just relaying info. Mostly for those that want to get rid of the external ballast resistor.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: points vs electronic

Take the positive wires from the ballast resistor and from the distributor and put it on the positive coil connection.

Take the negative wires from the ballast resistor and put them on the negative coil connection. I had to connect the negative from the distributor and negative from the old ballast resistor to make this work.

This is very inaccurate. If you want to get rid of the old ballast resistor, you just take the wires from the two ends of the resistor and connect them..that is it. All this talk about negative wires is just going to confuse people. The ballast resistor has nothing to do with the wire on the negative side of the coil.

 

[JustJason]

Re: points vs electronic

Agree with Bruce,
A ballast resistor creates a calculated voltage drop in the line. If for some reason you choose not to have the voltage drop in a XYZ type ignition system. (and to each your own on that one). All you do is take it out.

 

[justchange]

Re: points vs electronic

This is very inaccurate. If you want to get rid of the old ballast resistor, you just take the wires from the two ends of the resistor and connect them..that is it. All this talk about negative wires is just going to confuse people. The ballast resistor has nothing to do with the wire on the negative side of the coil.

What I did does that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: points vs electronic

Take the negative wires from the ballast resistor and put them on the negative coil connection. I had to connect the negative from the distributor and negative from the old ballast resistor to make this work.

Then explain this statement.

 

[nola mike]

Re: points vs electronic

just converted to an electronic ignition, and the instructions say specifically not to bypass the ballast resistor unless using a coil made for the ignition. "bypassing resistor will significantly shorten life of sensor module" or something to that effect. fwiw, still getting a yellowish spark off the coil.

 

[justchange]

Re: points vs electronic

The ground wire for the ignition module was conneted to one side of the ballast resistor. Therefor, I connected those wires to the negative side of the coil as I did the tach wire.

Anyways, I conceed. I have no idea why it ran wonderfully for over 3 hours last Wednesday. It quit starting so, I went thru the wireing again and put it as it should be. It now works as it should.

I really can't explain this as it never should have started or ran the way I had it. It does explain WHY it quit running before this change though.

Yes, I did buy a coil that has an internal resistor before doing this.