CDI Box

What Is a CDI Box?

Black box, brain box, pulse pack, igniter box, CDI module, power pack, whatever you want to call it: if your motorcycle is newer than 1980, it probably has a black rectangle spouting wires under the seat that makes the magic happen. 

CDI stands for capacitor discharge ignition (alternatively, “capacitive.”) If you’re new to capacitors, they’re similar to batteries in that they can store energy for later. What sets them apart is their ability to release all that energy near instantaneously, which is ideal for an ignition circuit.

The basic CDI system is a trigger mechanism, coils, and a box, often black, with capacitors and other circuitry inside. The trigger tells the box to fire, the box determines when to fire which coil with the capacitors, and zap goes the spark plug, ad infinitum. In addition to dischargin’ those capacitors, the box may also influence your rev limit, timing advance, and other variables related to spark, but that’s it.

The box itself is packed with electronics, and delicate components inside can fall victim to vibration and moisture over time. Thousands of miles of bouncing down the road can take its toll. Heat can also damage or destroy a black box. Finally, if you see the Magic Smoke come out, time for a new one.

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