12 volt conversion

[houstonrealtor]

So after doing some thinking about adding an equalizer to run 12v appliances such as radio, electronic transmission etc I am now wondering if it may be easier and more useful to convert my 88 M998 to 12v. I think it would be a lot more practical and also in order to pull my car hauler I would need to convert my trailer harness to 12v. Has anyone done this and is it more involved than just changing the starter and lights to 12v? I don't know much about diesel engines so Im not sure if anything else would need to be changed or if this is even practical.

 

[DatGuyC]

You would have to change your glowplugs to 12v versions and I dont think the controll box would run on 12v either. You would also have to change your gauges and sender units since they are probably calibrated for 24v.

 

[ralph3162]

I think a much better option is a dual system like I use. 12v & 24v the best of both worlds with no need to change anything but the alternator.

 

[houstonrealtor]

So you take the stock alternator our and replace it with 2 alternators? Do they make a kit for this? Also how would that fix the problem with trailer wiring being 24v?

 

[KansasBobcat]

Consider buying an H1. Already 12 volt,clear on road title,creature comforts, etc The 2 alternator system in CUCV seems to challenge many of us!

 

[houstonrealtor]

Thanks for the recommendation but I've already bought an M998, and slowly adding creature comforts.

Consider buying an H1. Already 12 volt,clear on road title,creature comforts, etc The 2 alternator system in CUCV seems to challenge many of us!

 

[Gunzy]

The M998 is NOT rated to pull a loaded car hauler. If it is equipped to tow it is only rated to pull 3500 lbs max. And the 6.2 is only 150hp which would be very weak at doing that also. You may wish to reconsider what your intentions are in referance to the M998.

 

[houstonrealtor]

Not looking to pull a loaded car hauler but would like to pull my trailers with lights.

 

[ralph3162]

They do make a kit I believe for the 998. my system is on a deuce but you still have the 24v system your just adding a 12v system it is separate so no need to change anything 24v just add 12v stuff that you want

 

[ralph3162]

You know if you think about it all you really need to do is change the bulbs in the trailer to 24v wiring and stuff would stay the same.

 

[98G]

Sounds like a set of 12-28v LED lights on the trailer would solve all the issues.

 

[houstonrealtor]

You know if you think about it all you really need to do is change the bulbs in the trailer to 24v wiring and stuff would stay the same.

Sounds like a set of 12-28v LED lights on the trailer would solve all the issues.

I've thought about this and will most likely go this route but would be nice to be able to hook up to whatever trailer and not worry about it but not a huge deal.

Thanks for the input

 

[tigertank]

i thought about this also and it was easier to buy 24 to 12 inverters which u can install next to the Cadillac valve and u can run lights and whatever off it

 

[houstonrealtor]

Cadilac valve?

 

[tigertank]

do a search its on driver side right where u latch hood down first thing u see when lift hood up it s whistles a lot while u drive lol

 

[74M35A2]

Just run your 12V appliances off of one of the batteries. Convert trailer to 12-24V LED bulbs as others have said. Done. They make a trailer light converter box also if you want to be able to pull any 12V trailer. I bought one, it was kind of pricy and bulky but it works perfectly. If I were to go through it again, I would just buy the magnetic wireless LED trailer lights and be done. Able to pull any trailer, regardless of the trailer wiring condition!

 

[m16ty]

Just run your 12V appliances off of one of the batteries.

That will work but will kill your batteries.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

That will work but will kill your batteries.

i ran this way for 7 years on a pair of 6TL"s with no issues...just really depends on how much juice your sucking really.

 

[74M35A2]

i ran this way for 7 years on a pair of 6TL"s with no issues...just really depends on how much juice your sucking really.

Agreed, and disagree with "It will kill your batteries". This went around and around before, and if I remember correctly, there were no known cases of it killing batteries. Even the military does it as factory wiring.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Agreed, and disagree with "It will kill your batteries". This went around and around before, and if I remember correctly, there were no known cases of it killing batteries. Even the military does it as factory wiring.

agreed, but remember, if you have a dual voltage alternator wired correctly, it's not a problem on the new mil trucks.
that 14v tap is going to one of the batteries, in the case of the hmmwv, it's the rear battery.
i cell phone charger or small items are no big draw...subwoofer and amps are a different story.
they make good 24v to 12v converters...just do the math on the unit you buy and the expected draw....or upgrade to a 200amp gen.