I have Mercury eng no 129465. 2 years into rebuild from (basket case). I purchased a rgm wiring loom, using a boyer micro-mk111electronic Ignition. I'm not sure what coils to use, whether two12v or two 6v and still keep zenner diode, and have to use a rectifier and cap.
Any input from members would be appreciated. Denis Curry.
Al will be along soon...
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Don't want to divert the…
Don't want to divert the discussion, but the modern reg/rec boxes also regulate voltage by shunting ("wasting") current.
There are expensive and bulky exceptions, but who wants expensive bulk!
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So starting from scratch,…
So starting from scratch, what components should i be using with the boyer ign and what dont i need. just the basic parts i need to get me out trouble.
Thanks for your input. DenisC.
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As far as theignition is concerned...
... you need the Boyer rotor, PCB and black box with connecting wires as well as 2 coils wired in series and of course HT leads, plug caps and plugs. Have a look at the Boyer site which has all the fitting instructions you need.
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Ok so i will use the Boyer…
Ok so i will use the Boyer ign with Two 6volt coils in series with a solid state single phase Rectifier, and i can leave the zenner diode and capacitator. and that should work.
Thanks again for the feedback.
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All above is nearly correct....
Yes the Zener diode will dump power say it dumps 3A at 14V ie 42W is lost. 1 HP =750W so we are loosing 1- 17th of a HP!
Yes the reg/rect loads the alternator but I have not measured how much but I expect it will be more.
And another thing, the system will work without the Blue 2MC capacitor BUT it is recommended that you install one, it will help when trying to start with a flat battery and it reduces the ripple created by the reg/rect.
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Photo in attachment below…
Photo in attachment below shows the parts that came with the bike. I have gone with the Boyer Micro Mk3 ignition. I will go with the recommendations of the above comments from members.
Thanks for all of the input.
(see attachment below)
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NO
Michael-Electricity is much simpler than that Facts-
The Zener diode was designed to sunk 100w at what every voltage it is made for, in our case 14.4 (ish)Volts 14.4 at 100W is 7Amps if you push your luck over this AND without a significant heat sink, then BOSCH the Zener fails. So I have assumed you are only using up to 3Amps. NOTE-the RM21 'might' give 100W at 7K revs but on our tired Alternators/engines you might get 80/90W but then 20W is used by the ignition, and maybe another 20W to charge the battery, so you MIGHT have 3X14.4 =42W (with a following wind). So the amount of POWER lost in the Zener is not of significant issue.
By the way if you are worried about using 42W lost in the Zener diode , do NOT go out at night as putting your lights on will use another 55W!!!
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The voltage drop across the…
The voltage drop across the Zener may not be a continuous 14.4 V and the alternator current output may be affected by reactance.
It's noticeable that my modern reg/rec, probably Mosfet, shunts 12 A alternator current but doesn't get hot.
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Mercury electrics
My original comment was to find out what I should be using with Boyer ignition. That's why I asked members for their feedback and suggestions on what I should use. I appreciate all comments even though some are a bit "out of my league". It's a learning curve for me in this area with DC volts, so thanks for your patience.
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If you have a working…
If you have a working rectifier and Zener diode use them, but measure the voltage across the battery terminals at 4,000 rpm, lights on and off.
Use two 6 volt coils or one 12 volt dual HT coil.
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Electrical parts of my Norton Mercury
Michael Iwill have to purchase a rectifier single phase to go with the Boyer Ign along with the Zenner Diode and Cap from the info given above.
Cheers.
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Good advise but....
Good advise Michael but I can check Zeners correctly if needed. All it will cost you is return postage.
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Mercury electrics
Barry, have no idea, has three terminals, looking at some old photos that came with the bike.
You could see some wiring from that to the coil, there is no markings on it so i have no idea,
Ian or Michael might be able to identify it from the photo, might be the condenser.
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No No
Yes that is a Condenser pack that can be used Trident. twin or even single (you would use just one condenser) But this bike has Boyer ( or any electronic ignition) Does NOT need condensers-they are for points ignition. Also the Blue 2MC is recommended, but this one being 60 years well passed its best so it is best to replace it.
Dennis you do NOT have a rectifier and Zener diode AND a regulator/rectifier. One system or the other.
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The trouble is...
... that capacitor and condenser are actually different names for the same thing - the former being the more "formal" term. For some reason the small one in the ignition system is usually called a condenser, the large blue one a capacitor. All calculated to confuse the innocent Norton rider.
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In the world of electrical…
In the world of electrical engineering, the term "condenser" was replaced by "capacitor" in the 1920s. The automotive industry, whether by ignorance or choice, carried on with the original term.
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Electrical parts of my Norton Mercury
Thank you members you have bought in a whole new world of DC electrics, many thanks for all of your discussions on the above.
The next hurdle will be the timing, so I am sure to be asking some comments from the the members above regarding my next challenge.
Thanks again for all of your help full info on the above.
Denis C.
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... but I think you may be confused between ignition and charging. The Zener has nothing to do with the ignition system - at least not directly.
Boyer instructions are available from their website but they generally recommend 6 volt coils wired in series giving a wasted spark system ie both plugs fire every top dead centre.
Re charging - you can have either a solid state rectifier plus zener diode or fit a solid state regulator. I'm happy with the rectifier / zener setup although it is inefficient in the sense that excess voltage is just dumped to earth and comes out as heat.