M38 Batteries

Kenk · Member Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 24 Location: New Jersey

Does anyone know of a source for the military 2HN battery? If there is not a reliable source for them today, what is the next best source for a commercial 2HN battery. They need to fit in the place of the original 2HN's.

Thanks,

Ken

BullRun · Member Joined: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 459

Try East-Penn for Deka batteries. Right down the road from you. Very Happy

www.eastpenn-deka.com
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wesk · Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:35 pm Post subject:

2HN's are still in production. They are now considered restricted sales military equipment when it comes to sales by manufacturers so a end use form is required for sales to other than DOD. This makes it tougher to buy them new from civvy sources. Several vendors still have access to stocks for sale. The closest in size civvy batteries are the 22NF group.
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45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

BullRun · Member Joined: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 459

Wes is right.

I bought 2 2HN Deka batteries a few years ago from a local Deka dealer. The other military batteries had already been restricted. I was told it was not considered a critical need battery because the M151 vehicles are no longer used but this was under review.

I said it was going into a military jeep and that was good enough for them. So it was not impossible then. Hopefully now too as I need some also.

At the time the application of the battery did seem important to the dealer. It was pretty clear they were concerned about the conservation of materials.

BullRun · Member Joined: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 459

Since I need these batteries too I did the leg work for everybody.

Here's the scoop straight from East-Penn Manufacturing who still makes the Deka 2HN Ordnance batteries.

The batteries are still in production by East-Penn Manufacturing (Deka).

The batteries are not restricted and are available for public sale.

One battery costs $135.00 dry.

Here's the real reason they are hard to get... There is no demand for this battery anymore as military jeeps are no longer used. Just like NDCC Goodyear Tires. The military moved on to other military vehicles and so did the manufacturing base.

If your local Deka dealer cannot get the battery from stock they are usually warehoused regionally. If not at the warehouse they need to be ordered from the plant which is a back order that takes up to 6 weeks for the next production cycle to move through before you will get your batteries. If you need many batteries for fleet use set up an account and it will expedite your order. You need a real business for this one.

Here's the deal if you call up over the phone with a request for an unusual battery like this (their words) the people I deal with do not want to bother, but if you show up in person with the cash as I have always done in the past they will find you the batteries.

Maybe the hobbyists need to be a little more organized on this one as the East-Penn sales rep I talked to was very happy someone needed this battery as it justified them keeping this line of batteries in production.

OKCM38CDN · Guest

I just bought two (2) 2HN batteries from Kevin Emdee at Star Electric... He has them in stock...

They were restricted for a time per Kevin as they were used in the Bradley Turret... thay have m=moved to something different... so no longer as restricted...

Due to his schedule it took a couple of weeks to get them, but they arrived safely and are sitting on the shelf ready to use...

Hope this helps

Kenk · Member Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 24 Location: New Jersey

Thanks guys for the information. I called East Penn for the DEKA's and they gave me the run around and sent me to NAPA stating they rebrand for them and would be about to supply them to me. I dont the DEKA rep. really knew what I was talking about. I called NAPA just for the heck of it and they also called DEKA. Price was about $120 each but the guy at NAPA said it was a 6 volt battery. All bad information.

Seems like a lot of $$ for two batteries especially if I have to freight them in from Star Electric. Are there any other options our am I stuck?

Thanks,

Ken

Sam-Helm · Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 11:02 am Post subject: Batteries

If you are near a military installation, you might check out the local specialty stores. We have a place called Battery Exchange that has some (a pallet or so) still sitting on a shelf, with acid ready to be installed. They were bought for a military contract, and have been sitting ever since. The going price is still about $130.
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1952 M38A1, 1951 M100

BullRun · Member Joined: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 459

East-Penn is a huge company. The sales staff I talked too at the factory were very nice but I think are used to much larger sales volume than the 2 batteries I wanted... that might be the problem. At the dealer level the 2HN batteries seem to annoy the staff as they apparently have to go through a lot of work to get them from the warehouse or the back of the rear shelf filled with cobwebs. Whatever it is they seem to be a slow mover and that is the real issue I think.

But hey lets support East-Penn. Who else is going to make the correct battery that can operate 48" under water?

miljeep52 · Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:38 am Post subject:

Aberdeen MD is next week and Star Electric will be there the Deka plant still sells blemished ones when the pop up but ya have to call ahead to see if there are any, havent bothered in awhile to expensive for what ya get go with 22nf. Scott out


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