MSD tells me my Digital 6 box is totally dead and "economically not repairable". They suggest purchasing a new one, which I have already done.....but I think they should help me out right? BTW what damage would be first to ocurr by cranking my Stage 2 way too much to try to start it when the box failed. Car had been sitting 2 months..... With the new box BQUICK started with a screech from hell then the valves took a long time to quiet down. Cam bearings? Going over the valve adjustment tonite....... Damn thing must be jealous of it's stablemate JAGUICK which has been getting all the attention. Bruce
Just got off the phone with MSD again and they say charging in the pits can easily take out the box. They said to disconnect the ignition hot wire before charging the battery. But everyone charges in the pits........find it hard to believe that anyone is disconnecting their ignitions. Any ideas?
My batery is in the truck i alway shut the disconnect swith off when i charge the battery but i didn't know that it was bad to charge anywayo No:
The biggest problem with cranking so much might be washing down the cylinder walls with gas and causing the rings to fail. First thing I would do is pull out the dip stick and smell it (checking for the smell of gas). If that checks out and you don't have to change the oil and filter (maybe a good idea anyway), I would do a leak down test on each cylinder.
Gave her some attention....adjusted the preload on the valves and she is quiet now. Just needed some attention, just like a woman...... Maybe my cam is worn out but man this 608B sure idles s-m-o-o-t-h.....or maybe the new ignition box is getting me a better spark..... Ready to rock and roll at Maryland Intl Raceway this weekend (NSCA).....if the rain stays away..... Bruce:3gears:
I just talked to the guys at MSD. There is no problem with charging the battery in the pits. How old was this box? Over 5 years? Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
I talked to Reuben and Bass and both said yes to charging but no to charging with the MSD box power wire connected to the battery while charging...... Bruce
I don't know if your digital box has different rules for charging, but I've been running a 7AL3 for years and I charge it with the master switch on most of the time. That's because I'm usually running the electric fan and water pump while I'm charging it after a run. Once it's cooled down to 120 degrees, I shut them off and charge for another 15 minutes or so. Even then, I usually don't shut off the master because every time I shut it off I can guarantee that I'll get in the car to drive back to the lanes without remembering to turn it back on. Gotta get back out of the car to turn it on.ou: I've never had a problem with my box doing it this way all these years. It must be ok.
If an MSD box can't stand up to a battery charger IT WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY. End of story. Did you know that the first series of internally regulated alternators will throw 17+ volts if the regulator craps out a certain way? That's more voltage than you'd get out of a battery charger. Why would MSD fail to provide protection from a failed alternator? BAD ENGINEERING. Mind you, I've been an MSD customer since '79, and there's red bricks on most of my vehicles, but none of them are the digital units.
Exactly....how bout a fuse or a circuit breaker! Then they would sell as many new ones....or so they must think.
update....just talked to MSD again and they sell a capacitor filter for the power wire (#8830)....going to give that a try. And....YES....they are sending me a new unit....free of charge. Yea! Bruce
A home type of surge protector has two diodes as its main componets (type varies). That is why most of the time when a surge protector "trips" is why you must throw it away. You destroy the diodes and they lose there ability to surge protect.:Smarty: I don't know if there is a resetable 12 volt surge protector, but that may be out there.
