12volt vs 24 volt system

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:44 pm

I have a 51 M38 that I just got and I want to go as original as possible yet still use it as it was intended. My question is there any advantage of going with 24 volt system vs a 12 volt? I am sure that there is a price difference on parts and availability. Also should I ever want to sell some where down the road is there a resale value difference?

Post by **wesk** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:49 pm

This issue is repeated at least evry three months or so.

Electrical systems were updated over the years for several reasons. To increase performance, lighten components and improve reliability. In the civvy's 6 volt was finally replaced by 12 volt during the late forties thru the mid 50's. Heavy civvy vehicles went to 24 volt. In 1948/50 The military skipped right to a 24 volt standard to match all the friendly nations military equipment and at the same time double the performance and reliability while halving the component weights and sizes from 12 volt to 24 volt. Today as we speak the industry is moving quickly towards 42 volt systems.

With that said why would you not want the improved performance and reliability of the 24 volt system in a vehicle that originally came with a 24 volt system? One reason in money. If the M38 already has been fully converted to 12 volt it will be expensive to convert back. If it was converted to a modern 12 volt alternator system then replacement parts aren't too awful expensive. Older 12 volt DC generators and starters are getting very pricey. Will it improve resale value to return the vehicle to it's original electrical system? You're darn right it will.

From a strictly performance/reliability viewpoint it is in my opinion hands down in favor of the 24 volt system. The system can be intimidating to the novice but there's plenty of help out there. In fact that's why we have this site and the M38 Yahoo Group. We have all the electrical troubleshooting, repair and overhaul data stored on these sites free to you to use. This 24 volt system has been in use with only small changes to the generating/regulating side by the free world's armed forces for 56 years.

So the choice is yours.

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:18 pm

Well I guess that settles it 24 Volt it is. I have not had my jeep long enough to see what has been changed but I believe that it is 12 Volt. I got it for free so that helps on the over all cost. As mentioned in a different post subject this had some Civ mods done one was covering up the cowl battery box. I will have to cut along the bondo line and see what is underneath. I probally won't get started till Spring any way.

By the way does any one have some good pictures of the cowl battery box with the lid off / no battery and the inside of the tool box. I am sure that there are some in the gallery but there are also so many pictures that they might be hard to find.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:49 pm

Start on John Bizal's Midwest Military web site
http://www.midwestmil.com/m38a1p10.html

There you'll find a lot of top shelf repop battery compartment parts:

If I recall correctly John also bought out Classic Enterprises and now produces the complete battery box assembly.

Early cover 1952 and 1953

Late cover 1953 & on

The bottom of the battery box can be seen under the right side of the dash.

Here's the tool box area.

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:20 pm

well here is why I want to see the cowl battery compartment with out a cover or battery. I need to see where I am heading. I hope I adde the picture right

Post by **wesk** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:23 pm

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:27 pm

I will try this again with the picture. If this does not work I'll read the instructions

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:38 pm

Well I guess I ned to set up a flicker acount to get the pic the problem is I HAD a cowl battery opening but the CIV mods filled it in so I was just wanting to get a visual of the openond/lip and depth. But I guess that the make the cowl battery boxes too for the M38. I did see the under the hood box that is available.

Is there any one on here in the St. Louis area? I have not had a chance to look at all the locations.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:46 pm

There's what you're looking for above.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:35 am

Wes,
You are posting M38A1 boxes... he has an M-38... boxes are diffferent!

I can try to take a couple of photos of mine later today and post them tonight...

Hope this helps...

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:37 am

Duh! Hal, I'm only blind in one eye. The other I can't see out of.

Battery tray is used in both boxes

This is the cowl battery box. See the bracket on the side for the 3 circuit breakers.

Under hood battery box.

Retainers for both.

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:44 pm

You guys are funny. As long as the way thet attach is the same. I am lookinf for detail in where the box meet the cowl. I figure that it would have to de raised a bit so the seal would work. In the above pictures id the silver box the cowl box.

I am trying the picture one more time. (looks like it works in the preview)

Post by **wesk** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:27 am

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:26 am

Thanks Wes

gorzel · Post by **gorzel** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:08 am

anyone know a rough price for a cowl battery box lid from a take off tha is in OK shape?