From: Paul A. Thomas (bluewhale@jaxkneppers.com)
Date: Tue Jan 07 2003 - 19:55:51 PST
I picked up my 6TL's today ( then referenced the TM's: my 1953 M35 takes
TWO batteries only. color me surprised ) The battery cables were
disconnected when I got the truck, however I believe the electrical system
as with most of the truck has been altered from what it looked like as an
M35. Instead of a positive and negative cable with one bridging cable
between the batteries the truck has four cables coming into the battery
area. The cables are of different gauge wire with different
connectors. Two wires are solid red, one other has a red area near the
clamp.
The two reddest wires go directly to ground on the housing at the front of
the transmission. The other two get lost in the wires added when they
converted the truck: I plan on having a friend come over and help me wiggle
wires and map what goes where soon. As deuces are negatively grounded (
they are, aren't they? I couldn't find reference to this in TM 9-8022 or
9-819 ) I guess that these two cables should go to the negative posts on
the batteries. That left the other two cables to go to the Positive posts.
I am unsure how to start the #@$^$#@#$ truck. The foot starter is
mentioned in TM 9-819, however there is also a push in button on the dash
labeled 'Start'. And two separate pull knobs on different areas of the dash
named 'ignition'. There is also a 3" toggle switch near the glove box
labeled ' Master Switch '.
I connected the batteries as mentioned above, checking to see if there was
a spark when the negative clamps got near the battery posts.. no spark,
thus no open circuits.
I was unable to get power to the truck. Unable to get any lights to come
on, unable to get the engine to turn over. I know there was power because
there are a pair of ' Frankenstein ' switches on the floor above the drive
train tunnel. When I moved either of these switches to connect a large
spark occurred and the pump engine behind the cab started to turn
over. But nothing else would come on.
My question ( finally <g> )
Any idea how I can be sure I am connecting the battery cables correctly?
I doubt they rewired the entire truck, but they DID sidestep a number of
systems ( like the fuel pump: they bypassed the mechanical pump on the
engine in favor of an electrical one they bolted onto the frame ).. and the
batteries have four wires... I wonder if the vehicle might be 12 volt now
instead of 24? The Pump Engine did move, but if I had wired the electrical
system in reverse wouldn't it still move when I applied power? ( probably
causing damage? ) I pulled the left/front signal bulb.. no voltage stamped
on it but the model was 1141... Then pulled a headlight: no voltage, and
the back of it is a solid glossy black (?) but no real part numbers front
or rear....I was hoping to confirm a 24 volt negatively grounded system but...
Photos are available at
http://www.paulathomas.com/images/
The ones starting with 'battery' show the battery box area and the starter
wiring. I have hundreds of other pics, but as the web site itself shows I
haven't gotten around to doing much with anything there. However if a
photo of something in particular might help answer these questions please
let me know: I'll upload it.
PLEASE let me know if you can't see the photo's within your browser: The
strangest things seem to keep photo's from being viewed in web sites or
just as files as I am pointing toward them here... I am learning as I go:
any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for any thoughts which might keep me from blowing my baby up.
Paul
MVPA# 24986
'53 REO M35 Fire Conversion
'53 AEC Chevy 3/4 Ton
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