Bought a M915 impulsively and need advice

[ChidJ]

Just got this 915. I don't have much experience with big military trucks (was in the army but never did anything with these) and I've already run into a puzzle. When the delivery truck dropped the truck off, the batteries were dead and also didn't appear to be correct. I found a picture of the battery arrangement in a TM but one part of it confuses me.



First off, if the batteries look hastily arranged, its because they were. I just went out and bought everything I thought I needed and threw it together. It was getting dark and I wanted to get it started and put somewhere else. My question is, what terminal does the white wire (ORANGE ARROW) go to? Also, did I get the other wires right?



Additionally, while I've got y'all, will any flatbeds from other series fit this frame?

Thank you!

 

[Guyfang]

There wasn't a schematic on the battery box lid? What model M915?

 

[NDT]

Looks like you have the brown or tan wire going to minus, if that is your 12 volt feed, it needs to go to 12 volts. Suggest you be 100% certain of your connections lest you smoke a bunch of stuff.

 

[ChidJ]

@Guyfang I believe its a 915A1. No schematic on the box. Just tan. I found several schematics in one of the TMs but couldn't figure out what was the battery on it.

@NDT No smoke.... yet. It started, all the lights worked, and it drove about 30 miles. Not saying that means its right. Just hasn't burst into flames yet.

Here is the image I copied my arrangement from



So the "12v System Harness" is what puzzles me as it doesn't say the colors of the 3 small wires. I assumed the red would go to a positive and the black to a negative. The white one is the only one left and wasn't sure what it should go to

 

[NDT]

Well if it started it’s hooked up right. Tape up the light gauge wires. Do you have a lever controlling the transmission or buttons?

 

[ChidJ]

@NDT Lever, 5 speed automatic

 

[NDT]

Ok then you have a M915A1. Suggest you only run two batteries, 4 are only needed for arctic temps. Keep a 12 volt battery maintainer on each battery, the alternator on these trucks is the weak link, it does not like charging low charge batteries. Enjoy the truck, they are super reliable and so much fun to drive!

 

[ChidJ]

Thank you. As soon as I have some time to sit and go through it, I'm sure I'll have more questions. Are the gauges supposed to be lit up at all?

 

[NDT]

Yup gauges should light up.