Converting ww2 mb wills jeep from 6 volt to 12 volt

[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

[Little Jo]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Little Jo]

Hanno

Thank you for the great site on 6 volt to 12 volt conversion. I have printed it off for reference when I start putting the MB Jeep back together again. The restoration is coming along fine and I appear to be on schedule as I would like to drive it to Corowa in March 2010.

I have been impressed with the great advice I have been receiving from MLU members. I have enclosed a Photo of when Saleman Bob and I collected the Jeep and a current photo of where I am up to with the restoration as of today.

I am waiting for further parts to continue with the project. My aim is to paint the vehicle in LRDG colours.

Just for interest, my family immmigrated to Australia from Hilligom Holland in 1950 and I have visited Holland many times over the years.

Thanks again for the information.

Cheers

Little Jo

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Little Jo

Just for interest, my family immmigrated to Australia from Hilligom Holland in 1950 and I have visited Holland many times over the years.

Tony,

Great! The world is only a small place, and the Dutch have really spread across the globe. Did your family live in Hillegom during WW2? See this thread for some pictures of that period in history.

Regards,
Hanno

[Blackpowder44 (RIP)]

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]

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

[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

[Blackpowder44 (RIP)]

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.

[Harry Moon]

Do you know if you have to change the points (condensor) or adjust the point gap? Plug gap? Timing?

[Blackpowder44 (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

Do you know if you have to change the points (condensor) or adjust the point gap? Plug gap? Timing?

Nothing in the dis. needs to be altered, 20 tho. points gap, also keep 6 volt starter motor, works fine on 121v. John. ps for those of us who still smoke, 20 th. is the thickness of a fag packet.Before you all jump in, not the thickness of a whole fag packet, just the side of it.

[Blackpowder44 (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

Do you know if you have to change the points (condensor) or adjust the point gap? Plug gap? Timing?

Nothing needs to be altered as regards points or condenser. For this unleaded fuel you need to adjust the distributor, advance or retard, I cannot rember which. Easy enough to find out and to adjust until it is running smothly. Also do not get suckered into having hardened valve seats inserted. These old engines were built before leaded petrol was the norm, Just means you have to re-seat the valves every 16000 miles or thereabout. John.