12 volt conversion

feel the need to change or modify your mutt? This is the place to discuss it.

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Thumper14
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by Thumper14 » April 7th, 2016, 12:41 am

Just bought a M151A2 replica and it's partially converted. Starter was redone, new distributor/coil. Still need to figure out the generator/alternator swap. Post up what you're doing! It'd help me out and I'm sure many more!

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rickf
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by rickf » April 7th, 2016, 9:07 am

Your alternator swap should be very easy, a Chevy one wire alternator or even any three wire from 60's through 80's will work. All you need to do is modify the bracket to mount it in the right position to line the belts up.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Thumper14
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by Thumper14 » March 3rd, 2017, 3:52 am

Looking at these time stamps, its amazing how fast time flies by and you don't realize it.

In working on my replica, I finally got a new battery for it.
huge link ->(http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0005)
It doesn't turn over but the starter sounds like its engaging the flywheel but I'm not positive. I'm going to pull it and bench test it this weekend. Engine I can spin by hand just to ease the minds.

Now, it still has the 2/0 gauge original cables. Would I be wasting my time running two batteries with the original cables or should I be good to go in that respect? I have exhausted myself trying to research 24v to 12v conversions and electrical talk already gives me migraines. I appreciate any help guys!

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rickf
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by rickf » March 3rd, 2017, 11:06 am

Without going over the whole thread again do you have the original 24 volt starter or did you put in a converted 12 volt starter? If it has the original starter then you are going to have to run two batteries and the associated charging for them or get a 12 volt starter.

One of the suppliers is selling 12 volt converted starters, I have seen them advertised. I don't remember who though. You will have to do some searching.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Hambone
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by Hambone » March 3rd, 2017, 11:58 am

Jason ( Austringer) has a 12v starter on ebay for $125 + shipping, might send him a pm.

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rickf
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by rickf » March 3rd, 2017, 4:33 pm

And to answer your question, if the starter is wired for 12 volt than one battery should easily turn the motor.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by m3a1 » March 7th, 2017, 1:29 am

I'm just back from Africa and playing catch up on all the posts. Wish I could have gotten in on this earlier.

This may be the Mods section but the site, overall, is dedicated to providing not only reliable information but also good, sound advice. By way of example one may ask the best way to shoot himself in the foot but that certainly is going to come with the good advice to NOT do it.

My opinion is that switching over to 12v is not only wholly unnecessary but would serve to lower the overall value of the vehicle as well. I just cannot conceive of a pre-existing "hack" that would justify the huge expense of swapping out all those other existing (and reasonably necessary) 24v components.

It would certainly be helpful if he shared with us just what this mysterious "hack" is.

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Thumper14
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by Thumper14 » March 7th, 2017, 1:31 am

Its the original starter that's been "rewound" for 12 volts.

*m3a1 - just a little back story. My jeep is a titan replica and I bought it on the cheap with the majority of this 12v work already done. I think it'd be way more expensive for me to try and go back to 24v. Hoping I can get these little gremlins worked out and have a running jeep here soon. I'm beyond excited to drive it.

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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by m3a1 » March 7th, 2017, 1:42 am

Hmmm. I'd still head back to stock 24v just as fast as my wallet would allow me. This conversion just doesn't make any sense financially, ....not to mention work-wise, even without considering the time and trouble involved in tracking all the alternative voltage kit needed to make it all actually happen. The saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the wash water" comes to mind. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a noob here and advice is only worth what you pay for it.

But, Thumper, as has already been mentioned, in the final analysis, it's your truck and especially since it's a kit vehicle (as is my Alley Cat) I suppose the impact on the ultimate value of the vehicle is not necessarily an issue. When I get back to my Alley Cat, I'm looking at it from this angle - what would a prospective buyer of my Alley Cat expect it to be, mechanically as well as electrically? Over the years, I've passed on several would-be "good deals" simply because someone had been in there monkeying around with the electrical system and hadn't given the least consideration to what concerns the next guy might have about that. When I sell, I'm looking to appeal to as many prospective buyers as I possibly can by presenting a vehicle that gives the buyer a good feeling about what he's buying. Essentially, I look at my vehicles not only in what their value is to me but what their value might be to the next guy. I believe that's an important consideration.
Last edited by m3a1 on March 7th, 2017, 2:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by m3a1 » March 7th, 2017, 2:09 am

PM sent to Thumper

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rickf
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by rickf » March 7th, 2017, 7:51 pm

We aim to please here and if he wants to convert then those of us who wish to help will do so. Please note that this is in the MODIFICATION section. If you do not wish to help you can express your opinion but do not push the issue, I think that since the majority of the work has been done, that being the starter and alternator there is not a lot left to do. Bulbs are simple, Aftermarket gauges will fit the dash holes and the coil will work on 12 volt. And probably last forever! He will need to run points instead of electronic but another thing he could do is a MSD or similar Capacitor spark ignition. Then the points are only the trigger and they will last forever. I do not want to see anyone on here discouraged for wanting to fix something up like this. Bottom lime, If you can help, do so. If you do not want to or don't like what he is doing then just ignore the posts.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Carboarius
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Re: 12 volt conversion

Unread post by Carboarius » June 9th, 2017, 12:43 am

Thank you to everyone for the replies, it has been awhile since I was on the forum and time really does fly. After lengthy deliberation and parts scavenging, I am still following through with the conversion. While there are many arguments, both for and against a conversion, I have decided that 12 volts will work best for me in my uses for my vehicle.
"If a sign of certain victory were needed, this is it, the Jeeps have arrived."
- Robert Sherrod, Time correspondent

1969 Ford M151A1 ex MRC108 Forward Air Control
1965 Ford M151A1 ex Civil Air Patrol
197? AM General M151A2
1954 GMC M211
1953 GMC M220
1967 Jeep M725

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