MSD 7730 Installation

MSD Power Grid System Controller

PN 7730

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	Parts Included:		1	- CAN Terminator Cap
	1	- System Controller, PN 7730	1	- Power Cable-Loose
	1	- 2Gb SD Card	1	- Mag Cable
	1	- Micro-USB Cable	1	- 2-pin Legacy Cable
	1	- MSD View CD-Rom	1	- Main Cable Loose
	1	- Fiber Optic Plug	1	- Parts Bag

	Accessories (Purchased Separately):
	Inductive Cam Sync Kit, PN 7555	Racepak V-Net Tee
	Hub Connector, PN 7740	9” - 280-CA-VM-T009
	Slew Rate and Time Based Rev Limiter, PN 7761	18” - 280-CA-VM-T018
	Boost Retard Module, PN 7762	36” - 280-CA-VM-T036
	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.

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	Wire
		Group	Color	PIN	Function	Description
		4-Pin	BLACK	16	GROUND	Ignition supply Ground wire. Connect to battery negative (-) terminal
		Connector				or engine block.
		(to PN 7720	ORANGE	17	BATT POWER	Battery supply wire. Connects to battery positive (+) terminal or battery
		or Power				junction. Note: Do not connect to the alternator.
		Cable if not	YEL/WHT	33	TRIGGER OUT	Trigger output for electronic ignition amplifiers.
		used with
			RED	34	POWER OUT	On/Off switch wiring. This wire supplies switched 12V power to the 7720.
		PN 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.
		LOOSE	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.
		WIRES
						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.
		2-Pin	YELLOW	7	RELAY LO	Network Ignition Mode: Cam sync output to Racepak systems for
		Connector				individual cylinder timing.	or
		(Legacy)	YELLOW	24	RELAY HI	Legacy Ignition Mode: Rev limiter output to legacy ignition..
		3-Pin	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.
		Connector	BROWN	25	SHIELD	Note: When this connector is used, the white POINTS IN wire is not
						connected. Brown connects to ground.
		Racepak	WHITE	11	VNET HI	Communicates data acquisition information with RacePak system.
		Assembly	BLACK		VNET LO	Only used to plug into VNet.
		6-Pin	RED	13	MSD CAN HI	Supplies 12V switched power to add on module units. Also
			BROWN	27	SHIELD	communicates between modules and Power Grid System Controller.
		Connector
			RED	27	POWER OUT	This connector is only used with modules added onto the system. This
		(to Hub/
			BLACK	30	MSD CAN LO	is for the MSD CAN-Bus accessories. It is only used when adding Power
		Modules)
			BLACK	31	MSD CAN GND	Grid Modules to the system. The Hub Connector, PN 7769, is required.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

3

YELLOW - SHIFT LIGHT

GRAY - TACH

BRN/WHITE - RPM/TIME SWITCH

V-NET

CABLE

LT. BLUE - BURN OUT

BLUE - LAUNCH

WHITE - POINTS IN

RED - 12V SW OUT

PINK - STEP 1

BLACK - BATTERY (-)

VIOLET - STEP 2

ORANGE - BATTERY 12V

TAN - STEP 3

WHITE - POINTS OUT

LT. GREEN - STEP 4

GREEN - STEP 5

SWITCHED IGNITION 12V

LEGACY IGNITION

MSD

CAN

MAG PICKUP

CONNECTOR

Figure 1 Wires of the Power Grid System Controller.

PN 7720 IGNITION

RED - 12V SW OUT		YELLOW - SHIFT LIGHT
BLACK - BATTERY (-)
ORANGE - BATTERY 12V		GRAY - TACH
WHITE - POINTS OUT
	V-NET	BRN/WHITE - RPM/TIME SWITCH
	CABLE
		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
HEAVY RED		SWITCHED IGNITION 12V
TO BATTERY POSITIVE	+	LEGACY IGNITION
HEAVY BLACK
TO BATTERY NEGATIVE	-
		MSD
		CAN
		MAG PICKUP
		CONNECTOR
	- BLACK	NOTE: SEE PAGES 10-12 FOR SCHEMATICS
		SHOWING INSTALLATION TO OTHER
	+ ORANGE	MSD IGNITION CONTROLS.

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.

MSD VIEW

Figure 3 Mounting

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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