deuce 12v conversion

[RobDuece]

I have a m35a1

I have put a 12v alternator and 12 starter
i have noticed some of my guages do not work like my
fuel guage
volt guage
How do i fix that?

*** Edit - Second post *** warthog

I am new to Dueces and I need some help. I have converted the truck to 12v with a new starter and alternator. I now am changing over the gauges to work with 12v. I started with the volt meter. The truck is off and i see 12v and truck on i see nothing? why? ....I also have a new fuel level from napa to put on it and a manual temp sensor. I also have a electric oil pressure guage will it work or do i need to get a new sender for it? any other things please help.??

I am building this truck for the fire dept. i am on. We converted it to 12v to work our light bar, Radios and other stuff.


Thanks
Rob

 

[steelandcanvas]

Let me see if I have this right, you replaced a 24 volt starter and a 24 volt alternator with 12 volt units, and you want to know why your 24 volt gauges don't work?

 

[KsM715]

Did you change all the lamps as well?

 

[mikgyverx2]

you need to replace ALL the 24 volt systems
bulbs, electric fuel pump,flasher, starter relay and gauges and senders, or go to man,uel gauges AND use three batterys to start it in the winter, starter and alternator too


all said and done @ $1600.00
switches seem to be doing fine

 

[Rambling Wreck]

24 volt devices (most of the time) will not run properly or at all on 12 volts. I would switch back to the 24 volt system ASAP. For my own curiosity, what drove you to install the 12 volt components? Also, do you still have two batteries and are running them in parallel or are you using just one battery?

 

[tm america]

Most guys just add a 12 volt alt and keep the stock 24 volt system intact... Running things on 12 volts draws twice the amps as it would on 24.. sounds like spending alot of money to make it worse at doing what it was designed to do?

 

[Cleveland Iron]

First MV law: If it works don't fix it.
Second MV law: If you want to add to it, know what you are doing.
Third MV law: If you screw up... Well, we are here.

Seriously, the truck wiring was designed for 24V, and all the systems are designed for it. If you want or need 12V add a piggyback system to the 24V world of the truck. You can add a 2nd alternator and battery. You can gets a dual system alternator. You can get battery balancers or 24 to 12 DC transformers and then pull your 12V from them. Check the forums. And please, for the sake of your wiring go back to 24V. The high current draw to the starter may eventually melt the insulation on your battery leads if you have to crank the engine too long on a cold day. That would not be good. In spite of all the groans and grunts, we are on your side, we want you to enjoy your MV. We want you to get somewhere to meet the guys and have fun with your MV.

Good luck.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

October 26th,

Being that you decreased the voltage by half, I hope you doubled the size of the alternator and all the truck wiring, because to get 12VDC electricals to work at anything like the deuces 24 VDC's capacities, you are going to double the amperage! AND the 24 VDC system components won't work in 12VDC! You wouuld be well advised to return the truck to its as built status, your problems would go away instantly...

 

[RobDuece]

Deuce 12v conversion issues and questions.

I am new to Dueces and I need some help. I have converted the truck to 12v with a new starter and alternator. I now am changing over the gauges to work with 12v. I started with the volt meter. The truck is off and i see 12v and truck on i see nothing? why? ....I also have a new fuel level from napa to put on it and a manual temp sensor. I also have a electric oil pressure guage will it work or do i need to get a new sender for it? any other things please help.??

I am building this truck for the fire dept. i am on. We converted it to 12v to work our light bar, Radios and other stuff.


Thanks
Rob

 

[nk14zp]

It would have been cheaper to have added a 12volt system.

 

[Warthog]

How did you convert the truck?

Every heard of the Rosscommon Equipment Center> They convert trucks for the Forestry Service and have many technical write-ups

Roscommon Equipment Center

It seems to be much easier to leave the truck 24v and add a second 12v alternator and third battery.

http://www.roscommonequipmentcenter.com/news_notes/nn9.pdf

There are a few of our members that sell a 12v kit with an alternator and mounting bracket.

 

[doghead]

What size alternator and batteries did you choose to use?

 

[Warthog]

He started a new thread with the same question on Oct 25. I am combining them

 

[steelandcanvas]

My suggestion echos with some of the others. Put the 24 volt system back in, and install a seperate 12 volt system. Numerous guys and FD's have installed this addition to the Deuce with great results. The system requires a one wire alternator (Delco SI), some bracketry, a belt, and a serparate 12 volt battery. A few Members here sell the kits to do this, super simple. TMAmerica is one that comes to mind. Quit fooling around with trying to convert, and install this, you'll be further ahead in the long run. See if you can't clean up the parts you've purchased, and return them. Lick your wounds and then do it right. Just my .

 

[RobDuece]

Ok guys

I converted the truck to 12v to allow me to run emergency lights that do not cost an arm and a leg. I would have added a 12v system but the draw would have been to much. I know that things wil run on 12 v . My truck now starts and runs just fine on 12v. I am putting a 12v light bar and surround lights and scene lights also 2 radios and 1 siren. This why i put a 220 amp 12v alternator not a 189 amp 12 v. The starter again is a factory one converted to 12v. This truck is kept inside so starting is not a problem. Also when it goes out we do not shut it off til it comes back.
I am converting the temp to a manual guage. I am wondering it i need to convert the oil pressure guage sender to a 12v sender? The volt guage is confusing me.truck off i am getting 12v ....truck on i get no volts???....The fuel guage i have a senderand new guage that a local duece rebuilder told me to use...from ...Clarks trucks in Poca,WV.



Also the WV shots are not appreciated. I am learning about this truck and the reasons i changed it are stated above.

Please help me

 

[212sparky]

Usually you have to match your senders and gauges. I have a 100 amp 12 volt system plus the normal 24volt system. I also have 65 amps worth of lighting around my truck. I put 2, 12 volt lights in series. If you kept it stock it will be easier when it breaks down. Oh yeah you will need a new volt gauge that reads 12 volts. Enjoy

 

[swbradley1]

My family hails from around Beckly, WV but I won't make fun of you.

Follow the advice in the thread from Warthog about Roscommon. If you don't want to do that then yes, everything will have to be replaced that is electrical except for the wire.

 

[caliber1]

As has been said, you will need to upgrade some of your wire sooner than later, such as the starter wire, that 12 VDC starter will draw some major amps. Thinking 2/0 or 3/0. Would have been better off to add an equalizer or converter. Cheaper in the long run too. I don't wire emergency vehicles, but I do work on 24 volt coaches with 12 volt systems added to them. Most all use a Vanner 100 or 150 Amp EQ.

You will also have to change all senders and gauges. The volt gauge is puzzling, have to think on that one.

Good luck.

 

[Rambling Wreck]

How many total amps or watts will your accessories take? The easiest and cheapest thing to do will probably be to switch everything back to 24v and then install a 24 to 12 volt converter. you can get a 720 watt for less than $40 on amazon. If have more load than that, buy two.

 

[JasonS]

Ok guys

I converted the truck to 12v to allow me to run emergency lights that do not cost an arm and a leg. I would have added a 12v system but the draw would have been to much. I know that things wil run on 12 v . My truck now starts and runs just fine on 12v. I am putting a 12v light bar and surround lights and scene lights also 2 radios and 1 siren. This why i put a 220 amp 12v alternator not a 189 amp 12 v. The starter again is a factory one converted to 12v. This truck is kept inside so starting is not a problem. Also when it goes out we do not shut it off til it comes back.
I am converting the temp to a manual guage. I am wondering it i need to convert the oil pressure guage sender to a 12v sender? The volt guage is confusing me.truck off i am getting 12v ....truck on i get no volts???....The fuel guage i have a senderand new guage that a local duece rebuilder told me to use...from ...Clarks trucks in Poca,WV.

Also the WV shots are not appreciated. I am learning about this truck and the reasons i changed it are stated above.

Please help me

Senders aren't 12 or 24V; they just change in resistance with what you are tyring to measure. Hoever, the guage will need the appropriate voltage. It may be easiest to get a matched set from the aftermarket. I would probably just gety a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Starter wiring will be fine unless you are trying to start in cold weather.