Small, rectangular LED lights mounted on the grill or elsewhere
30%
[ 3 ]
2" round, orange lights mounted under the B.O. marker lights
0%
[ 0 ]
A seperate turn signal light like the old M151s mounted on the fenders
0%
[ 0 ]
Total Votes : 10
Author
Message
wilfreeman Member
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:35 am Post subject: What to do about front turn signal lights
I've got a quick question and a poll. I put the poll on my blog, but I havent been getting too many votes (a lot of visits, but only 6 votes).
Anyway, I've been trying to decide how to do my turn signal lights on the front of my 'a1. My 'a1 is all military and original except for the turn signals.
Here are my choices:
1) I found some small LED lights (rectangular, 2"x 1") at o reilly that I like. It says designed for 12v systems, but I thought that LEDs would work on 24v systems also - right or wrong? Where should I put them?
2) I have the orange covers that fit the B.O. marker lights. I would also put dual filament socket and bulb in them for park light and turn.
3) Install a round turn signal under the B.O. lighton each side -about the same size (2"round)
4) Put M151 style turn signal lights on the fenders _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Sep 10, 2011 Posts: 36 Location: Nicholasville, KY
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:06 am Post subject:
Boy did I luck out on the turn signal issue. I talked to the sheriff today and they told me that if it didn't come with turn signals not to worry about putting them on my a1. Hence I voted for the small led in the grill. That way they would remain hidden for the most part. _________________ 1953 M38a1 USAF C'est La Vie
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:24 am Post subject:
Thats pretty much the way south carolina is too - I would just rather have them on there (and look good). These days, if you throw your arm out and give a hand signal, most won't know what it means, some will never see it because they are on the phone or texting, and others might think you're flipping them the bird and will shoot you! I was thinking about my last option. I have some extra B.O. marker lights - they would look original sitting on the fenders for turn signals, and I wouldn't have to buy anything but wire.
So, gunter, the LED lights do work with 24v? Our are you running 12v now? Do you have a pc of yours on here? _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
First check with your Motor Vehicle Office to find out if all the options you listed are legal in your state.
Next decide what look you want to live with the next few years.
Then post what is left of your option list.
My personal preference is the standard mods to keep the changes easily reversible to stock.
1-Convert front marker lamps to two filament bulbs. (one filament marker and one filament turn signal)Add amber lens.
2-add the wire from left to right at the rear and install a second left tail light assembly on the right and use it for service stop and turn Use the stock left lens or the all red gama goat lens.
3-Install any of the three turn signal controls. The easiest is the standard 24 volt civvy 900 seri Signal Stat.
All of these options have already been discussed on this web site in GREAT detail. Just do a search using the terms "turn signals". _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 63 Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:15 am Post subject: Re: What to do about front turn signal lights
wilfreeman wrote:
1) I found some small LED lights (rectangular, 2"x 1") at o reilly that I like. It says designed for 12v systems, but I thought that LEDs would work on 24v systems also - right or wrong? Where should I put them?
You'll probably burn out the LEDs doing that. There's a resistor inline with the LED that is "sized" for 12V. Using it with a 24V system will result in twice as much current going through the LED than it should. Result - burned out LED, just like using a 12V standard bulb in a 24V system.
Good ol' Ohm's Law: I=V/R where:
I = current
V = voltage
R = resistance
so if you double the voltage without changing the resistance, the current doubles. It's doubtful the resistor can be changed in those lights. _________________ 1952 M38 - restoration in process, 1000 miles away...
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:27 am Post subject:
Yep, and I've read a good many of them. I didn't specify before, but I installed a new wiring harness with turn signal wiring built in. I used a newer turn signal switch and solid state flasher mounted on the firewall. I have a second left rear light fitted. I'll post pics this evening when I get home. Everything works great - I just can't decide which way I want to go for the front lights - leaning toward the small LEDs mounted somewhere on the grill, but that wouldn't look period correct (of course the switch and flasher don't either). The amber lenses on the B.O. markers would look period correct for a CJ. The B.O.markers with amber lenses on the fenders would require holes, but would look more correct than the big 3" round ones you see on farm equipment.
Maybe I'll just buy some of the small rectangular leds and take pics of each way I am thinking of doing it, and decide that way - still wanting everyone's input though! _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:
Oh well - I guess thats one choice out of the way, unless I can find some 24v ones _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
There are LED lamps out there with about a 6 to 34 volt rating. Which works with that entire voltage spread. Just shop the truck lighting outfits.
Period correct is relative to the period your jeep represents. None of the additions are correct for a factory resto but any can be correct for a motor pool resto but which depend on what period your jeep represents. So to help with your survey try to tell us what period in the life span of your jeep are you wanting it to represent? _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject:
I thought that I remembered someone recommending using LED bulbs on trailers that you plan on using behind your civi or military vehicle.
I have pretty much decided to mark her with my dad's USAR markings from the mid to late 60's. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
That period fits fine with both of the military turn signal systems and the amber marker lamp lens. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 4:30 pm Post subject:
Cool - that makes it simple then! So they did use the amber lenses on the marker lights? I don't know if I've ever seen an in-service pic of an 'a1 with them. Of course, I may not have been paying attention either. I'll start looking again.
I had a custom harness made with dual military/civilian lighting arrangement. When on the road I use M151 lenses on the front BO marker lights, & plain red lenses on the standard military light bodies on the rear, A simple change out of the Douglass connectors gives me turn signals & running/stop lights. It wasn’t expensive or complicated; factory military appearance is retained (after lenses/connector changeover). Frankly I don’t see another way to do it.
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:
Here's a few pics I took. The one with the B.O. markers on the fenders is hard to see because I just took it (just got home from work). The second pic was just a set of lenses taped to the grill.
_________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Sep 10, 2011 Posts: 36 Location: Nicholasville, KY
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject:
wilfreeman, your answer to the question about the led's is previous owner changed the electrics to 12 volt. I still think the led in the grill would be the way to go. They are bright enough to be seen and can be hidden by the grill. But I like the way you did your lights. If I decide to do a lot of driving on the road with mine, I'll most likely add turn signals. _________________ 1953 M38a1 USAF C'est La Vie
Joined: Nov 24, 2010 Posts: 1390 Location: Orem, UT
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject:
I just got done redoing or modding my M38 front markers with new sockets and I will be running a 2 wire with dual filament amber bulb in the housing. I also removed the cateyes and will just have the clear rectagular lens on the housing door. That way I will have a brighter turn signal and the normal brightness of a parking marker. They have sockets at the local auto parts shops, it just takes a little modification. There are some more on the tail end of my photobucket (link below)
_________________ Brett
'51 M38
PHOTO DIARY OF MY BUILD
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