M151 with Searchlight

[dcartledge]

Anyone seen a 151 with the xenon searchlight? I saw one at Sams Surplus near Abilene, TX but it was not hooked up.

I was wondering what the power source is?
d

[Kurt Lesser]

Can't help you with the searchlight itself but I've got the base plate and pintle for one on the side of the house. If you're interested drop me a PM.

Kurt Lesser

[Rickf]

http://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4813

I don't know if he has the power supply. Power was supplied by a genset on a trailer pulled by the mutt.
Get hold of Ralph on here, I know he has a picture of the whole setup.

Rick

[dcartledge]

Thanks ! Can do,
d

[SURPDLR]

http://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4813

I don't know if he has the power supply. Power was supplied by a genset on a trailer pulled by the mutt.
Get hold of Ralph on here, I know he has a picture of the whole setup.

Rick

Trailer for power supply? Never saw that.. All the ones I have seen had a monster charging system (180 amp I think) to run the light.

Mark at Saturn Demilled a few years ago.

And way back in the day, Frank of Frank's Surplus fame (pretty sure it was Frank) had one at the Summit DE show (Aberdeen show before it was at Aberdeen) at the air port. We had some fun with that one night!!! Who knew you CAN see infared light if you use a bright enough light source???!!!

[Ralph Fuller]

[Rickf]

http://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4813

I don't know if he has the power supply. Power was supplied by a genset on a trailer pulled by the mutt.
Get hold of Ralph on here, I know he has a picture of the whole setup.

Rick

Trailer for power supply? Never saw that.. All the ones I have seen had a monster charging system (180 amp I think) to run the light.

Mark at Saturn Demilled a few years ago.


And way back in the day, Frank of Frank's Surplus fame (pretty sure it was Frank) had one at the Summit DE show (Aberdeen show before it was at Aberdeen) at the air port. We had some fun with that one night!!! Who knew you CAN see infared light if you use a bright enough light source???!!!

I could be wrong (that NEVER happens ) But after seeing the pics Ralph put up I have to say Jeff is probably right about that monster alternator. Somewhere I had seen one towing a trailer with a genset and the photo caption indicated the trailer was the supply for the light. Probably just in that particular case.

[Fil Bonica]

Helped a friend set up one a few years back. His power source was a 28 volt DC generator. With a series of batteries connected in parallel to beef up the current. The arrangement wasn't GI but it supplied lots of current . The 180 amp generator wasn't available so you needed another source , thus the trailer with a generator.


Fil Bonica

[tankerm60C14]

Rick,

Jeff is Correct-You are wrong again.

The searchlite jeep had it's own powering system like Jeff said. The one you are thinking about is a totally seperate unit. That unit was on a trailer, with a generator set supplying power for it. I and another member personally restored one of these for a museum-private in the deep south. Locating the Base plate, TRUNION -mount and selector unit are out there. The searchlites are as well out there-TANK MODEL !!! THESE have to be MODIFIED in order for them to be used in the Trunion for the type being discussed. I have many many many hour into restoring one of these systems. The lites are very very tricky and sensitive to work on. One look inside of one of these and you will know why. An electronics enginners work !! NOTE: UNless you are able to secure the MAIN CONTROL BOX-NOT the WHITE SELECTOR SWITCH BOX-this mounts INSIDE the CONTROL BOX. The white selctor box can be found. The CONTROL BOX+ is the Brain to the complete system. Without it, you need to make some serious modifications. Meaning, you have special heavy duty power cables and specific MADE ELECTRICAL PLUGS. There is only one company that has these, the original production company. Very difficult to procure from this company as they are a defence contractor. Anyways, you have to rewire the complete system, add 2 12 volt batterys for the ignighter to function on the High Mode. ONE SHORT CIRCUIT and the BULB is Gone-AN EXPLOSIVE by the way. At the time I was restoring this unit, the only lites were reimported from Israel. The sole company that had these has as i am aware sold them all. THESE were ALL the TANK Model lites. AGAIN- major modifications required to make one of these for a jeep or trailer style. Another Note, there is very little published literature for these. Because of the severity of an explosion, ALL work was to be performed at HIGHER ESCHELON Levels. These are 18000 candlewatts. We used these on own tanks and could lite up a target 3 miles away on a focussed beam !
So, If anyone has a thought of making one of these be for warned. I know of only one man who owns a control box in Alibama, WHO OWNS a jeep model-Working. He would never ever part with that box. I had to prefab a box for my project, we were able to get it 90% completed.
Some of these COMPLETE Jeep units were given to some state forestry services for use. These lites are Not Your regular household litebulbs. Another factor-trying to find ALL the Various electrical parts needed for the Jeep Model. As very few of these units were produced. Hey if you have big pockets go for it. BUT again, WITHOUT the MAIN CONTROL BOX-Your Venture will never be complete!

Been There and Done that!
Dave-TankerM60

[tankerm60C14]

Topic Thread posted by Rick: 4th pic down , Cabels, mount, box etc. These are the COMPONENTS NEEDED for the M151 series jeep. All these parts are mounted INSIDE the Engine compartment-providing the POWER SOURCE for the lite. Note on lite pics. Notice the one mounted-there are NO SIDE Handels, only the REAR MOUNTING POSTS=2.. The lite in the CRATE is a Tank searchlite model. tHE 2 side hANDELS have TO BE removed FOR IT TO FIT inside the TRUNION. Major Job to remove required parts INSIDE, Just to remove the handles. Thin Gloves needed to wear. Any greese/oil on finger prints on the reflector shield and BULB+KAPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH


THESE ARE THE HARD PARTS TO FIND-Internal Engine Compartment for the M151 !

dave-TankerM60

[Kurt Lesser]

I have one of the control boxes that mounted on the back of the searchlight that I'd be happy to throw into a deal for the trunnion and floorplate.

Please PM

Kurt

[Ralph Fuller]

[Rickf]

Thats the pic.! Ralph, you are the man!


Rick

[artillerydan]

If you look there is another searchlight on the trailer. That one is powered by the genset. I have this same set up. The jeep will have a 180a system and LOTS of extras under the hood to run that light.

[dcartledge]

good info = thanks!
d