Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Does this light only require a regulated 100 amp 28 volt supply? Or is there some other power supply required.
I'm thinking that since the cable for the light control box has only two wires, it should bolt up to a 100 amp alternator with built in voltage regulator.
Or will the 100 amp generator and rectifier used in the radio jeeps work?
If none of these will work, what then do I need to fire up this light?
Many thanks in advance,
d
I'm thinking that since the cable for the light control box has only two wires, it should bolt up to a 100 amp alternator with built in voltage regulator.
Or will the 100 amp generator and rectifier used in the radio jeeps work?
If none of these will work, what then do I need to fire up this light?
Many thanks in advance,
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
-
- G-Major General
- Posts: 2591
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:14 am
- Location: denver co.
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
from this thread it sounds like it draws 140 amps.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... earchlight
BB
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... earchlight
BB
keeping it strac here boss
I hate aquaphobic horses
I hate aquaphobic horses
-
- G-Captain
- Posts: 799
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:37 am
- Location: So.Cal
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Like Brian suggested go check out the candlepower forum. lots of good info over there.
UC
UC
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Lots of extraneous dialog on that thread.
All I really need to know is if all I need to make it work is a steady 28 volt input.
The light has only two wires into the control box.
100 amp is the current - it may draw 140 in overdrive but it cannot be run in OD very long.
I got the books coming - should shed some more light on this thing then,
Thanks for input,
d
All I really need to know is if all I need to make it work is a steady 28 volt input.
The light has only two wires into the control box.
100 amp is the current - it may draw 140 in overdrive but it cannot be run in OD very long.
I got the books coming - should shed some more light on this thing then,
Thanks for input,
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
- Kurt Lesser
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3779
- Joined: Sun May 16, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: San Jose, Ca
- Contact:
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
The VSS searchlights draw around 100 amps when operating. There is an overdrive mode however that draws 150 amps. The wise thing to do when installing one of these searchlights is to add a 200 amp alternator to the vehicle to cover the power drawn by the searchlight and the vehicle. Don't fool around here, you don't want an electrical fire in a vehicle.
Kurt
Kurt
Kurt Lesser
US Navy, 1969-1975
M996A1 Ambulance w/M101A3 Trailer
M274A2 Mule
M151A1 Mutt w/M416B1 Trailer
M890 Crew cab
US Navy, 1969-1975
M996A1 Ambulance w/M101A3 Trailer
M274A2 Mule
M151A1 Mutt w/M416B1 Trailer
M890 Crew cab
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Agreed, but the originals had the 100 amp setup (at least according to the books and recent supply line article).
I do not intend to either run overdrive or have a fire - thanks for the info...
I have the correct generator and have located the correct regulator - got the manuals yesterday so hopefully I'll have a test run here in the near future,
d
I do not intend to either run overdrive or have a fire - thanks for the info...
I have the correct generator and have located the correct regulator - got the manuals yesterday so hopefully I'll have a test run here in the near future,
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
-
- G-First Lieutenant
- Posts: 643
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:47 pm
- Location: Caldwell, Idaho
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Laying on the floor of my garage is a couple of the proper generator/regulators that were designed for a VSS on a MUTT. The generators are 180 amp, NOT 100. A 100 amp generator, will BARELY run it, but won't start it. The generator and the light are marked for exactly which parts to use. (For example, on the side of the light, one of the required parts listed is the MUTT itself!)
The regulator is a great big thing with a bracket WAY bigger than the original MUTT generator.
I have two VSS-1 (and a VSS-3). One of the -1'S is mounted on a 1 1/2 ton M100something trailer, with a 100 amp gas-powered GI MEP, with a duece-and-a-half battery box with two GI batteries in line with the MEP unit. That way I get the I get the 100 amps, PLUS the amperage provided by two batteries, plenty for the light.
You do not want to run on the upper edge of the capabilities of the generator/regulator when dealing with 100 amps of 28 VDC!
Yes, there are two wires that actually lead into the -1 for power. IF you can find something that will push well over 100 amps, and maintain the 28VDC, and still be able to "ease" back down to about 100 amps, you would be GTG. You don't have a lot of wiggle room.
The regulator is a great big thing with a bracket WAY bigger than the original MUTT generator.
I have two VSS-1 (and a VSS-3). One of the -1'S is mounted on a 1 1/2 ton M100something trailer, with a 100 amp gas-powered GI MEP, with a duece-and-a-half battery box with two GI batteries in line with the MEP unit. That way I get the I get the 100 amps, PLUS the amperage provided by two batteries, plenty for the light.
You do not want to run on the upper edge of the capabilities of the generator/regulator when dealing with 100 amps of 28 VDC!
Yes, there are two wires that actually lead into the -1 for power. IF you can find something that will push well over 100 amps, and maintain the 28VDC, and still be able to "ease" back down to about 100 amps, you would be GTG. You don't have a lot of wiggle room.
- Kurt Lesser
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3779
- Joined: Sun May 16, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: San Jose, Ca
- Contact:
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
I have the T & E pintle that I've been trying to give away for years but it's a pickup only because of the weight.
Kurt Lesser
US Navy, 1969-1975
M996A1 Ambulance w/M101A3 Trailer
M274A2 Mule
M151A1 Mutt w/M416B1 Trailer
M890 Crew cab
US Navy, 1969-1975
M996A1 Ambulance w/M101A3 Trailer
M274A2 Mule
M151A1 Mutt w/M416B1 Trailer
M890 Crew cab
-
- G-First Lieutenant
- Posts: 643
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:47 pm
- Location: Caldwell, Idaho
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Ya know Kurt, I was unaware you had that. We need to talk about that. I will PM.
- emmado22
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1761
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:55 am
- Location: NY
- Contact:
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
The US Army ADA museum just got an original searchlight jeep unmolested in their collection. They may have more info on the correct parts.
Army trucks
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Have a POC?
d
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
OK - I have the 180 amp generator - now looking for the rectifier and regulator and cables.
Any out there?
d
Any out there?
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
went thru the candlepower forums - seems those folks power their lights with a generator of sorts, not on a 151.
I think I have all the pieces parts excepting the voltage regulator and output cable.
Any assistance in finding those parts would be most helpful,
d
I think I have all the pieces parts excepting the voltage regulator and output cable.
Any assistance in finding those parts would be most helpful,
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
-
- G-Second Lieutenant
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:58 pm
- Location: Bay Area
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
I just got my VSS-3 up and running on my HMMWV.
I made a cable for it using a slave cable connector and plug it right into the slave receptacle at the passenger's feet.
The truck has a 200amp neihoff alternator and you can hear the engine pulling a little harder at idle when the light is running. No modification was required to the truck electrical system.
Maybe you can retrofit one of these later alternators to the jeep? They are entirely self contained, all you would need to do is fab brackets (assuming it fits under the hood).
Augi
PS: Some Pics:
I made a cable for it using a slave cable connector and plug it right into the slave receptacle at the passenger's feet.
The truck has a 200amp neihoff alternator and you can hear the engine pulling a little harder at idle when the light is running. No modification was required to the truck electrical system.
Maybe you can retrofit one of these later alternators to the jeep? They are entirely self contained, all you would need to do is fab brackets (assuming it fits under the hood).
Augi
PS: Some Pics:
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 6:05 am
- Location: columbia, sc
Re: Question about the AN/VSS-1 Searchlight
Sweet!
I looked at the 200 amp alternator but it appears that the air cleaner will not fit under the hood if I install one.
Slave cable is a great idea - might try that one if I cannot find the remaining two pieces to my puzzle,
d
I looked at the 200 amp alternator but it appears that the air cleaner will not fit under the hood if I install one.
Slave cable is a great idea - might try that one if I cannot find the remaining two pieces to my puzzle,
d
45 MB,64 M151 Searchlight,66 M151A1,74 M151A2 Tow, 86 M1035
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Mark Tombleson, N6FEG, planejack and 49 guests