Switchbox

[gys]

my outboard requires a switchb

my outboard requires a switchbox...what is it and what does it do ?

 

[galamb]

"The switchbox is kinda the he

"The switchbox is kinda the heart of the ignition system on an outboard (at least the "conventional" outboard ignition)

The stator, under the flywheel, generates AC power when the magnets on the flywheel zip past it.

That AC power is sent to the switchbox that "rectifies" it - converts it DC, and stores it in a capacitor (one for each cylinder on your motor).

Also under the flywheel is the trigger (sometimes called a sensor) - it produces an AC pulse, 1 for each cylinder, that it sends to the switchbox.

When the switchbox gets the trigger pulse for cylinder 1, it releases the stored power for that cylinder, into a wire that feeds the coil that feeds the spark plug for the #1 cylinder (and so on for how ever many cylinders you have).

So if your switchbox is toast, you have no spark anywhere..."

 

[$tefan]

Excellent, detailed and clear explanation of what a switch box et Al does. On my 3 CYL '94 Sea Rayder sport jet my flywheel has 6 strong magnets. Does that mean that the stator only has 3 primary coils?