Can anybody identify this thing?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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bryanbdp
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Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by bryanbdp » Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:55 pm

I had it for years. Afraid to power it up. Don't have a clue what it is!
20210405_165115.jpg
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bryanbdp
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by bryanbdp » Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:19 pm

No one? I don't want to plug it in and find out it's a munition or something!
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by YLG80 » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:50 am

bryanbdp wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:19 pm
No one? I don't want to plug it in and find out it's a munition or something!
It seems that there is a marking. I see a B. It could help.
Vibration sensor?

I guess an ammo would have some sort of safety device.
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by YLG80 » Mon Apr 12, 2021 5:11 am

Could you post a picture taken from the tip side ?
Is the tip insulated from the housing?
If yes I would suppose it's a simple car cigarette lighter adapter, with the top ring to pull it out. :wink:
Yves
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by bryanbdp » Mon Apr 12, 2021 5:49 am

20210412_091415.jpg
Too big for that. It looks like it's meant to be stuck in the ground. I'm assuming it's military cause it's green.
I keep thinking it a vibrator to gather worms or something...
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by YLG80 » Mon Apr 12, 2021 5:54 am

Ouch, yes it's much bigger than I thought.
Yves
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by W. Winget » Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:14 am

Seeing that angle, yes,
It's just a Ground Sensor for Platoon Early Warning System (PEWS) like the AN/TRS 2 detector kit. (maybe not that exact model, look for the early Vietnam Vintage ones)
Came in a set of 6 or so, deploys around your perimeter and measures vibration. Designs change, most internet photos are the newer box type sensors.

Been around since Vietnam, several models. Not something that gets picked up all the time, as they are emplaced, then picked up to move out and if someone forgets where exactly, or the wires were pulled off the connectors and moved away from the sensor, its hard to relocate before times up and you need to move out VS waste time looking for them.

Won't spin, vibrate, glow, etc. if connected to power, may fry and burn up, as it's made to detect vibration, not go whizzz bang boom...

V/R W. Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by bryanbdp » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:38 am

Thank you. I wonder if leads supply power, or are just an analog signal out
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by W. Winget » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:51 am

From my memory, you run WD-1 wire out to the piece, connect them, (tie the wire off to the end) and then run back to the signal box. This way the number would appear when a disturbance was indicated letting you know which area there may be an issue Personnel/Vehicle/Armor indicated (from memory).
I do not recall a red and black alligator clip on the one's we used as it didn't matter for wiring posts.
It could be part of a test set to generate a vibration for the other sensors to verify their operation, I just cannot say with any certainty, digging into the manuals on ground Sensors up to the mid 70's items would likely yield the answers.
V/R W. Winget
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by bryanbdp » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:54 am

Yah, I thought the alligator clips were weird too.
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by Wolfman » Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:43 am

Flashback !
Camp Radcliff. An Khe South Vietnam. Summer of 1970
My unit was in Base Camp for a 3 day stand down so what do I get, Perimeter Guard Duty. :evil:
Another guy and myself are sitting in a sand bag bunker, in the middle of night, bored out of our mind when I spot a small animal running across the front of our position.
Want to have some fun ?
I pick up a rock and throw it at the critter, which takes off.
Next thing I know the radio comes to life. ???
There is movement in front of my position. ???
Do we see anything ???
How did they know this. ???
Then the light comes on. Ground sensors. Maybe like the one in the photo.
Did not even know they were out there, but I set one off.
A squad was sent out in the middle of the night to sweep the area. Surprise. They said they found fresh foot tracks. ??? But no critter.
Go figure !! :shock: Thank You Lord. And critter.
Maybe I didn't set it off !
Never did admit to throwing the rock. 8)
Don't say anything. :D
Mike Wolford
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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by YLG80 » Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:32 am

Excellent story. Thanks.
It seems that these devices are sensitive.
I didn’t know these detectors.
I was still with the trip flares and the wires all around:)!
Yves
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serial 164794

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Re: Can anybody identify this thing?

Post by 42GPW » Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:19 pm

That is one of the sensors for the seismic detection device used during the Vietnam war. The pews (platoon early warning system) was used in the late 70s through the 80s. New that sensor goes for $30.00. Hope that helps.

Matt R
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