Converting ww2 mb wills jeep from 6 volt to 12 volt

derk derin · #1 31-08-10, 08:13

Hi Little Jo,
Sorry for the slow response,had a few projects on the go and haven't been at the jeep yet.I managed to take pictures of the 12 volt system that was in my jeep.The lower alternator bracket was made up to bolt onto the original generator lower bracket and the upper bracket is just a metal link to the block.The alternator is an Autolite but could not find any more markings on it.There is also a seperate regulator on the fender but my Dad looked at it and figures it shouldn't be needed as it should already have one in the alternator but says to leave it there if it works.Maybe the alternators built in regulator didn't work and they added one on? Then everything goes to the solenoid.The coil is just mounted beside the distributor.

I hope this helps and if there is anything else I can help with,let me know.Good luck with the project.
Derk.

Little Jo · #2 01-09-10, 03:34

Derk

Thanks a milliom mate, that was a lot more than I had hoped for and as they say, a pictures is worth a 1,000 words. This is going to help me heaps. Thank you again for taking the trouble to assist me. I have attached a photo as to where I am at with my restoration and you will note I am currently experimenting with the colour to paint the Jeep into WW2 Western Desert colours. This is the closest I found, though I know the LRDG used a variety of colours in the desert.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers

Tony

20387774 · #3 01-09-10, 05:25

Litle Jo-If you are wanting to keep it looking original, you can get your 6 volt generator rebuilt to 12 volt and then get a regulator from an M29 weasel or other 12 volt WW2 vehicle. It'll look original, but be 12 volts.

I've done a couple of the 12volt alternator conversions and they work fine. If you are getting one built for yourself, try to get it made so it "kicks in" at as low an rpm as you can. Some of the ones I've done you have to really rev the engine to make the alternator start charging.

John

Little Jo · #4 01-09-10, 07:46

John

Thanks for the information, Boy I am impressed with the assistance there is out there. The people using MLU have been more than helpful. I will have a look at the idea, though I am not sure if my old 6 volt generator is still working, it looks very sad and rusty, I will have it checked out at the auto electrician.

Cheers

Little Jo

Lynn Eades · #5 01-09-10, 10:25

With what John has just said, it is probably possible to run the original genny to produce 12 volts, by just swapping the 6 volt regulator for a 12 volt one from a dodge 12 volt. Then everything looks original. The genny should be fine at 12 volt. When you run one up without the regulator, they'll put out upwards of 50 volts ( for a short time)

Little Jo · #6 02-09-10, 03:56

lynn

Thank you, great to see there is so much info out there. It is always good hear from someone who had done it before, this makes it easier to put into practice.

Cheers

Little Jo

Hanno Spoelstra · #7 24-09-10, 12:17

This might help also: http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/Tech/SixVolt.html

Blackpowder44 (RIP) · #8 26-09-10, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20387774

Litle Jo-If you are wanting to keep it looking original, you can get your 6 volt generator rebuilt to 12 volt and then get a regulator from an M29 weasel or other 12 volt WW2 vehicle. It'll look original, but be 12 volts.

I've done a couple of the 12volt alternator conversions and they work fine. If you are getting one built for yourself, try to get it made so it "kicks in" at as low an rpm as you can. Some of the ones I've done you have to really rev the engine to make the alternator start charging.

John

you do not need to alter the dynamo from 6v to `121 v.I never have and as long as your dynamo is putting out about 13 v and you couple it up to a 12v regulator it will look original as you can hide the regulator inside an original jeep one. Forget all about alternators as they are totally unnecessary and look bloody ugly when you open the bonnet and see a modern lump in a 70 year old Jeep.Trust me , my jeeps have been on this system for 30 odd years with no problems. Keep your jeep as near to original as you can. Good luck, John.

Lynn Eades · #9 26-09-10, 21:53

I agree with John 100%. Its value stays there when its std.

Little Jo · #10 27-09-10, 03:12

Hi John and Lynn

I will go with old 6 volt Generator as I believe it puts out about 13.5 volts, I will then update to a 12 volt regulator and Distributor. You guys have given me the confidence to stay as original as possible. Thanks heaps for the updates.

Cheers

Little Jo

Blackpowder44 (RIP) · #11 27-09-10, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Jo

Hi John and Lynn

I will go with old 6 volt Generator as I believe it puts out about 13.5 volts, I will then update to a 12 volt regulator and Distributor. You guys have given me the confidence to stay as original as possible. Thanks heaps for the updates.

Cheers

Little Jo

The original distributor will be fine, you must get a "True" 12v coil. Make sure that it is 12"v, nothing else will be any good. All bulbs have to be replaiced. I cut the ends off of the red ruby rear lights and it makes it a lot easier to replace bulbs. John.