Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
User avatar
Tim52
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 265
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:45 pm
Location: Rocklin CA (Northern CA)

Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Tim52 » Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:12 pm

I just added a 6 volt-to-12 volt converter to install a 12 volt cigarette lighter.

The converter was available on Amazon for about $12. It's small enough to fit unobtrusively under the dash lip. The cigarette lighter socket was purchased at NAPA for about $8 fit’s nicely as well.

I know that the current converter placement (not visible) just inches to the left of the socket would interfere with a future first aid kit bracket but I’ll move it later.

A cell phone it draws about half an amp from the 6v side when charging well within the converters 2 amp 12 v output. The converter circuit draws about 5 milliamps with no load. That’s not much but I will add a switch to the 6 volt input side to turn it completely off. I currently have it connected directly to my battery. Adding a 5 amp fuse would be good as well.
Attachments
IMG_1905.JPG
IMG_1905.JPG (107.06 KiB) Viewed 5395 times
IMG_1931.JPG
Note: The display indicates negative volts because my meter leads were switched
IMG_1931.JPG (86.72 KiB) Viewed 5395 times
IMG_1940.JPG
IMG_1940.JPG (102.79 KiB) Viewed 5395 times
CDR USN (RET)
Patrol Squadron 46 "Grey Knights"
Naval Flight Officer
Gulf War Veteran

45 GPW 271750
frame/engine match no data plates (DoD est. July 5 '45)


Ben Hovis
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 587
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:27 pm
Location: Lincoln, California
Contact:

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Ben Hovis » Sun Mar 26, 2017 4:10 pm

Very good Tim. Been looking for how to do this for years. Low cost too.
Thanks for taking the time to figure it out.
Ben
http://www.jarheadjeep.com[url]
MB Body # 204065 date 1/19/43
GPW Engine # 12492 date 3/31/42
GPW Frame # 47894 date 7/?/42
Bantam T-3 1943 1/4 trailer USA # 0269414
http://www.jarheadjeep.com/Bens_1943_Ba ... railer[url]
PE 210 Power Unit Radio Generator 3/15/44

gearhead
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 4210
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:42 am
Location: Middletown,Pa

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by gearhead » Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:20 pm

I hid one under the dash of my GPW, only use it for my GPS/speedo.
GPS adapter changes input voltage to 4.3 volts, works a charm with 6v. Drove 400 mile trip no issues.
My cell phone will charge (all be it slowly) with as low as 5v (current droid prefers 9v but charges on 5V).

Ed S :)
54 CJ-3A/B
56 DJ-3A for sale
45 GPW 271022, USMC 46 CJ-2A 2WD"gasser"
50 CJ-V35
58 CJ-3B
57 DJ-3A chassis for sale

User avatar
Mike Soltis
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1080
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:30 am
Location: USA

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Mike Soltis » Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:19 am

Tim can you tell me/us where you wired this too? I've been looking to do this as I'm sure others are also It would be great to add a gps if needed to my GPW. Thanks in advance for your help MLS
1942 GPW 81835 Chester, PA. USA 20186310
1946 Bantam T3C (SOLD)
1991 M101A2
MVPA Member

User avatar
tamnalan
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6310
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:58 am
Location: SW Oregon
Contact:

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by tamnalan » Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:18 am

If you connect it to wire E1 at the filtrette then you will have a switched 12V power supply. That's what I did anyway.

http://www.1945gpw.com/img/1945gpw/HowT ... iagram.pdf
Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939

User avatar
Tim52
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 265
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:45 pm
Location: Rocklin CA (Northern CA)

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Tim52 » Fri Mar 31, 2017 8:01 am

Hi Mike,

Good question. There are several ways to approach this.

For now I have it connected to the battery side of my starting solenoid which connects to my foot switch. The solenoid was there when I bought my jeep and since it's not really visible, I kept it. Alternatively, you could connect it to the battery side of your foot starter. Adding an in-line 4-5 amp fuse and switch hidden under the dash to completely shut the converter circuit off is optional, but probably good to do as well.

I originally connecting it thru the ignition switch as Alan describes (my late jeep does not have a filtrette) but changed to the above connection just to have things more isolated. This also avoids running extra current thru my $50 reproduction ignition switch.

As a tangential note what Ed S. states is true, one could argue that using a converter to change 6v -> 12v -> 4-5 v for USB is not really necessary. Regardless, the converter gives you more options to power 12v devices like GPS and a 12v dwell/tach meter. Besides it was fun to do for a class of 1974 Purdue University Electrical Engineer :D

Tim
CDR USN (RET)
Patrol Squadron 46 "Grey Knights"
Naval Flight Officer
Gulf War Veteran

45 GPW 271750
frame/engine match no data plates (DoD est. July 5 '45)

User avatar
Mike Soltis
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1080
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:30 am
Location: USA

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Mike Soltis » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:49 pm

Tim & Tamnalan thanks for getting back Mike
1942 GPW 81835 Chester, PA. USA 20186310
1946 Bantam T3C (SOLD)
1991 M101A2
MVPA Member

User avatar
Mike Soltis
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1080
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:30 am
Location: USA

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Mike Soltis » Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:59 am

I'm Finally getting around to doing this Can anyone tell me which terminal is e1 as suggested & also where do I connect the neg feed to under the dash Any help would be appreciated TIA Mike
1942 GPW 81835 Chester, PA. USA 20186310
1946 Bantam T3C (SOLD)
1991 M101A2
MVPA Member

User avatar
JIMN
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 897
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 4:24 am
Location: Southern Ohio

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by JIMN » Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:19 pm

I always thought if you had a radio junction box, that would be the place to locate a USB or something to charge the phone. Haven’t gotten around to that myself yet....
1941 Ford GP, 1944 Willys MB, 1943 Bantam T3

User avatar
Tim52
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 265
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:45 pm
Location: Rocklin CA (Northern CA)

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Tim52 » Wed Apr 29, 2020 2:14 am

Yes, a radio junction box is a nice placement.

I just ordered a repo one last week, will probably move my dash mount to the junction box.

Tim
CDR USN (RET)
Patrol Squadron 46 "Grey Knights"
Naval Flight Officer
Gulf War Veteran

45 GPW 271750
frame/engine match no data plates (DoD est. July 5 '45)

User avatar
Tim52
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 265
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:45 pm
Location: Rocklin CA (Northern CA)

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Tim52 » Wed May 13, 2020 10:51 pm

I need to give credit to member ndnile for directing me to the specific converter described in my beginning post.

I know him personally and he is a very skilled firmware and electronics engineer.
CDR USN (RET)
Patrol Squadron 46 "Grey Knights"
Naval Flight Officer
Gulf War Veteran

45 GPW 271750
frame/engine match no data plates (DoD est. July 5 '45)

User avatar
tamnalan
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6310
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:58 am
Location: SW Oregon
Contact:

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by tamnalan » Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:32 pm

Hey Mike - here is a copy of the MB wiring diagram, courtesy of Ron:

https://g503.com/oldsite/parts/group06.html

Wire E1 is a black wire with two white slanted lines (tracers) that connects the ignition switch to the filtrette. This wire then proceeds to a two-post junction block and from there to the coil. It's the switched wire that energizes the ignition system when the ignition key or lever are switched on. I don't bother to run power through my filtrette. I bypass it with small screws & nuts to join the terminals & some protective tape, so it was easy to add another wire. Look for that black /white striped wire. I used it so I wouldn't worry about running the battery down with things I left plugged in. I bought a little voltage converter board on eBay and wired it with a cigarette lighter (whoops, power port) on a small homemade bracket that I hid under the dash near the glovebox. It's great for running GPS units or phone chargers. A convoy staple!

Any "hot" point will do. Easy to run a wire to the ignition switch. If you want it always hot then connect to the hot side, otherwise choose the switched side. Connect that point to a fuse, and from the fuse to the converter. Then connect the converter's output to your power port. Possibly another wire to ground the converter/power port back to your jeep. Any point with bright metal under your dash will do, but then make sure your jeep body is well-grounded to the engine and /or battery.

Sorry I didn't see this and reply sooner. That power port is a great mod. You won't regret it. Be sure to include a fuse!
Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939

User avatar
Mike Soltis
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1080
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:30 am
Location: USA

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Mike Soltis » Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:02 am

Thanks for your help with everything I've got it all hooked up & working Great Regards Mike
1942 GPW 81835 Chester, PA. USA 20186310
1946 Bantam T3C (SOLD)
1991 M101A2
MVPA Member

Ben Hovis
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 587
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:27 pm
Location: Lincoln, California
Contact:

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by Ben Hovis » Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:04 am

Your welcome.
Ben
http://www.jarheadjeep.com[url]
MB Body # 204065 date 1/19/43
GPW Engine # 12492 date 3/31/42
GPW Frame # 47894 date 7/?/42
Bantam T-3 1943 1/4 trailer USA # 0269414
http://www.jarheadjeep.com/Bens_1943_Ba ... railer[url]
PE 210 Power Unit Radio Generator 3/15/44

sjalbert
G-Brigadier General
G-Brigadier General
Posts: 2266
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:28 pm
Location: Bellaire, TX

Re: Adding 12v lighter socket to 6v jeep

Post by sjalbert » Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:36 pm

Just did this today. Ran the hot right off the battery terminal. Wired a fuse and a switch in the line to the DC-DC convertor. Attached the convertor and a lighter socket to a piece of wood which I stashed in the glove box. Ran the wires through an existing hole in the firewall and attached the block of wood to the side of the glove box with a screw through another existing hole.
Seth
******
1944 MB 349858, 20620361
1942 MBT 10968 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=149552
1942 MBT 15799, USA 0217497 viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225199
MVPA # 8587
Com / Inst. SMEL
CFII - ASEL
KI5LYB

Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known


Post Reply

Return to “MB GPW Modifications”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests