MSD 7730 Installation
MSD Power Grid System Controller
PN 7730
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Parts Included:
1 - System Controller, PN 7730
1 - 2Gb SD Card
1 - Micro-USB Cable
1 - MSD View CD-Rom
1 - Fiber Optic Plug
Accessories (Purchased Separately):
Inductive Cam Sync Kit, PN 7555
Hub Connector, PN 7740
Slew Rate and Time Based Rev Limiter, PN 7761
Boost Retard Module, PN 7762
Manual Launch Controller, PN 7751
WARNING: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting, always remove
the Negative cable first and install it last.
Note: Solid core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition Control.
Note: A crank trigger is recommended to supply the input signal to the Power Grid Ignition System
to ensure the most precise timing and rpm control.
1 - CAN Terminator Cap
1 - Power Cable-Loose
1 - Mag Cable
1 - 2-pin Legacy Cable
1 - Main Cable Loose
1 - Parts Bag
Racepak V-Net Tee
9” - 280-CA-VM-T009
18” - 280-CA-VM-T018
36” - 280-CA-VM-T036
OPERATION
DIGITAL OPERATION
The MSD Power Grid System Controller uses a high speed RISC microcontroller to control the ignition’s
output while constantly analyzing the various inputs such as launch, burnout, and step wires; trigger signals,
rpm, and CAN-Bus data. The high speed controller can make extremely quick updates to the ignition output,
timing, and rpm limits while maintaining +/- 0.1° timing and +/- 1 rpm resolution. The circuits and controller
of this system have been designed for superior protection against Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI).
The Power Grid System Controller, PN 7730, is designed to be used with the Power Grid-7 Ignition Control,
PN 7720. This is a high output CD ignition control. The Ignition System allows for the System Controller
to be mounted on top of the Power Grid-7 to save space and provide a neat, compact installation. The
System Controller can also be used with other MSD Ignitions such as the 7AL-2, MSD 8-Plus, and the ProMag series. In order to use the rev limiting features of the System Controller the paired ignition must have
a built-in Soft Touch Rev Control that uses plug-in RPM modules. Pages 10-12 show wiring diagrams for a
variety of different ignition options.
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2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
WIRING FEATURES
Leading
Group
4-Pin
Connector
(to PN 7720
or Power
Cable if not
used with
PN 7720)
LOOSE
WIRES
2-Pin
Connector
(Legacy)
3-Pin
Connector
Racepak
Assembly
6-Pin
Connector
(to Hub/
Modules)
Wire
Color PIN Function Description
BLACK 16 GROUND Ignition supply Ground wire. Connect to battery negative (-) terminal
or engine block.
ORANGE 17 BATT POWER Battery supply wire. Connects to battery positive (+) terminal or battery
junction. Note: Do not connect to the alternator.
YEL/WHT 33 TRIGGER OUT Trigger output for electronic ignition amplifiers.
RED 34 POWER OUT On/Off switch wiring. This wire supplies switched 12V power to the 7720.
(Not used when connecting to other MSD Ignitions)
RED 15 IGN 12V switched (Ignition)
GRAY 18 TACH Tach output. This wire will provide a 12 volt square wave tach signal.
WHITE 32 POINTS IN Trigger input from electronic ignition amplifiers, an ECU’s trigger or
points.
YELLOW 1 SHIFT LIGHT Shift Light output wire. It can handle up to 3 amps continuous to ground
when enabled.
LT BLUE 4 BURN OUT Burnout Rev Limit. When 12 volts are applied the Burnout Rev Limit is
active. This disables the Slew Rate rev limits and overrides other rev limits.
It is recommended to have this wire switched from an outside source,
such as the crew chief before the burnout and while staging the car.
DK BLUE 21 LAUNCH This wire activates the Launch Rev Limit and is the main reset wire for
several features of the Ignition. When 12 volts are applied to this wire it
will activate the Launch Rev Limit. It also resets the shift light, the gear
indicator to first gear, the Launch Retard curve and select Gear 1 curve.
When 12 volts is removed, the Launch Time begins as does the Gear 1
curve. When 12 volts are applied the Slew Rate Rev limit will be disabled
as well as the Time-Based Rev Limit curve.
PINK 22 STEP 1 Step 1 retard enabled with +12 volt input AND above Step 1 Rpm
value OR Gear 2 Select.
VIOLET 5 STEP 2 Step 2 retard enabled with +12 volt input AND above Step 2 Rpm
value OR Gear 3 Select.
TAN 23 STEP3 Step 3 retard enabled with +12 volt input AND above Step 3 Rpm
value OR Gear 4 Select.
LT GREEN 6 STEP4 Step 4 retard enabled with +12 volt input AND above Step 4 Rpm
value OR Gear 5 Select.
GREEN 10 STEP5 Step 5 retard enabled with +12 volt input AND above Step 5 Rpm
value OR spool rev limiter.
BRN/WHT 19 RPM SW RPM/Time switch output wire. It can switch up to 3 amps continuous
to ground when enabled.
YELLOW 7 RELAY LO Network Ignition Mode: Cam sync output to Racepak systems for
individual cylinder timing.
YELLOW 24 RELAY HI Legacy Ignition Mode: Rev limiter output to legacy ignition..
GREEN 8 MAG- This is a magnetic pickup, 2-pin connector. Plugs into an MSD
VIOLET 9 MAG+ Distributor or Crank Trigger pickup. Violet is positive, Green is negative.
BROWN 25 SHIELD Note: When this connector is used, the white POINTS IN wire is not
connected. Brown connects to ground.
WHITE 11 VNET HI Communicates data acquisition information with RacePak system.
BLACK VNET LO Only used to plug into VNet.
RED 13 MSD CAN HI Supplies 12V switched power to add on module units. Also
BROWN 27 SHIELD
RED 27 POWER OUT
BLACK 30 MSD CAN LO
BLACK 31 MSD CAN GND
communicates between modules and Power Grid System Controller.
This connector is only used with modules added onto the system. This
is for the MSD CAN-Bus accessories. It is only used when adding Power
Grid Modules to the system. The Hub Connector, PN 7769, is required.
or
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3
YELLOW - SHIFT LIGHT
GRAY - TACH
V-NET
CABLE
RED - 12V SW OUT
BLACK - BATTERY (-)
ORANGE - BATTERY 12V
WHITE - POINTS OUT
MSD
CAN
MAG PICKUP
CONNECTOR
LEGACY IGNITION
LT. BLUE - BURN OUT
BLUE - LAUNCH
PINK - STEP 1
VIOLET - STEP 2
TAN - STEP 3
LT. GREEN - STEP 4
GREEN - STEP 5
SWITCHED IGNITION 12V
BRN/WHITE - RPM/TIME SWITCH
WHITE - POINTS IN
PN 7720
IGNITION
Figure 1 Wires of the Power Grid System Controller.
RED - 12V SW OUT
BLACK - BATTERY (-)
ORANGE - BATTERY 12V
WHITE - POINTS OUT
TO BATTERY POSITIVE
TO BATTERY NEGATIVE
HEAVY RED
+
HEAVY BLACK
-
-
+
BLACK
ORANGE
V-NET
CABLE
MSD
CAN
MAG PICKUP
CONNECTOR
NOTE: SEE PAGES 10-12 FOR SCHEMATICS
SHOWING INSTALLATION TO OTHER
MSD IGNITION CONTROLS.
LEGACY IGNITION
YELLOW - SHIFT LIGHT
GRAY - TACH
BRN/WHITE - RPM/TIME SWITCH
LT. BLUE - BURN OUT
BLUE - LAUNCH
WHITE - POINTS IN
PINK - STEP 1
VIOLET - STEP 2
TAN - STEP 3
LT. GREEN - STEP 4
GREEN - STEP 5
SWITCHED IGNITION 12V
Figure 2 Wiring the Power Grid.
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4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MOUNTING
The Power Grid System Controller should be mounted in a
sturdy, dry location that does not expose the unit to extreme
heat. It is designed to be mounted on top of the PN 7720
Power Grid Ignition. Be sure to mount the Power Grid System
Controller so the USB connector and Micro-SD card are
accessible. The unit comes with thread-turning (aka. Selftapping) screws that will cut into the walls of the pre-drilled
holes on the top corners of the Power Grid-7. If the Power
Grid System Controller, PN 7730, is not being mounted on
top of the Power Grid-7 the unit should be secured with the
supplied hardware.
Note: Insecure or otherwise improper mounting of the unit
could result in damage or failure. Always make sure
the unit is dry, avoids unnecessary excess vibration,
and is not exposed to extreme heat.
Figure 3 Mounting
MSD VIEW
The MSD View software controls all of the functionality of the Power Grid System Controller. The following
information gives a brief explanation of each function or feature in the system as well as the settings that
control it. While using the program, hover the mouse over a Function to display a brief explanation.
When the system controller is connected to a PC via USB MSD View will automatically recognize it and
load the settings stored in it.
Note: Ensure that MSD View is installed on the PC prior to connecting the Power Grid Ignition Controller.
INSTALLATION OF THE VIEW SOFTWARE
1. Insert the installation CD Rom into the CD drive, wait up to 30 seconds, the CD will auto run, IF THIS
DOES NOT OCCUR:
Locate and open the CD Drive.
Double click on the Setup file.
2. Select “Click here to Install Version X.XX”.
3. Once loaded, your monitor will have an MSD View X.XX logo. Accept the agreement. Drive the installation
to your program files folder, press the enter key. The installation will complete, select OK.
4. A window will be opened with two aliases, double-click on the MSD View alias to launch the software.
5. Connect the system controller via USB. If the software does not recognize the controller and auto-connect,
manually select the Power Grid in the popup window and click Connect.
Note: The View Software can be downloaded from www.msdignition.com.
SAVES AND TRANSFERS
Using the Power Grid System Controller changes are in real time if the computer is linked to the ignition.
You can create and save numerous files on your PC and transfer them for testing purposes or to use for
various locations and conditions.
The following instructions will go through a general description of the use of the Power Grid System Control
following the tab system that you will see in the software.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5
PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES AND SETTINGS:
GENERAL
These are the most basic settings of the system. They will need to be set the first time the system is installed
in a vehicle.
Number of Cylinders: This tells the system the number of cylinders. Must be selected correctly for proper
timing and rev limiting.
Maximum Timing Reference: This is the advance that is set with a locked distributor or crank trigger. The
system controller will use this as its base for all timing marks and can never advance past the preset point. It is critical that this advance is set properly.
Note: When using EFI the max timing reference and the main timing must be the same number.
Number of Gears: This tells the system the number of gears used in the transmission. This information can
be used a variety of ways depending on the functions and modules used in the system.
Ignition Type: Found under General Settings, this option allows a user to select between using the Power
Grid Ignition, PN 7720, or one of the MSD legacy ignitions.
DIAGNOSTIC LED INDICATOR
There is an LED that monitors the status of the system and allows the user to quickly know if all systems
are working properly, recording is in process, or if there are errors. The possible conditions of the light are
listed and explained below:
OFF – No power to the unit
1 Seconds ORANGE – Power ON light test
10 Seconds ORANGE – Slew/Time Rev Limiter Active (alert active for 60 minutes of power on after
module is disconnected)
Blinking ORANGE – Recording in process
Blinking GREEN – Input trigger (Mag or Points) below 500 rpm without Alerts
Blinking RED – Input trigger (Mag or Points) below 500 rpm with Alerts
GREEN – Running with no active Alerts
RED – Running with active Alert
CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZATION
This is used only in applications where the individual cylinder timing is going to be used. The fiber optic
connector communicates when the #1 cylinder fires. With this information, the controller knows which
cylinder is being fired allowing for the individual cylinder timing capabilities. Only the MSD Fiber Optic
Inductive Pickup Kit, PN 7555 will work for this system. Cam-sync’s cylinder #1 identification is also used
in the data acquisition recordings.
GEAR SHIFT
In the Gear Shift selection the user can set items such as launch and shift delay so that the system will not
have a false shift detected immediately after launch or a shift should there be an rpm drop for any other
reason.
Launch Delay: The amount of time in seconds after the launch that the system will ignore an rpm drop to
prevent false shift detection. This can be set from 0.00 to 10.00 in .01 second increments.
Shift Delay: The amount of time in seconds after sensing a shift that the system will ignore an rpm drop to
prevent false shift detection. This can be set from 0.00 to 10.00 in .01 second increments.
1->2 Shift: By setting the rpm drop the user tells the system how to sense when the car is being shifted
during a run. The setting is controlled by a drop down list with rpm from 200 – 1,500 or can be set
to be activated by a Step Retard wire instead. The number of shifts that is shown is controlled by
the number of gears the system is set to in the Settings – General tab.
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