Radio terminal boxes

[Tapper02]

Okay fellas….I'm in need of three (3) radio terminal boxes to install the radios in my halftrack. 

From the TM 11-2721, Installation of Radio and Facsimile Equipment in CARRIER, PERSONNEL, HALF-TRACK, M3A1, it states that the terminal box (Item 32 in the diagram below) was "furnished with the vehicle by the manufacturer".  Referencing the ORD 9 SNL G-102, on page 161, I found a listing for a "BOX, terminal" with a Ordnance Stock Number of G102-0400177, Ordnance Part number of B-184415 and a Manufacturer Part number of DR-1884010 indicating that it was made by Delco-Remy. 

Does anyone know of a source?  I've hit up the local US radio guys (Fair Radio, etc) as well as S.M.I and Cotatel over in Europe.  Takeoffs are fine as long as they are usable…I don't want to take chances with electrical issues.  Below are a few pics as well (thanks Steve A.).  I'll probably post on the G as well for a wider audience.  TIA!

-Tom

[steve1973]

I have an original as in the photos above that I have reproduced with cover. They were not cheep to make but can get more made if interested. I will get some photos of it tonight. One thing to point out the M2 box is square and mounted on the floor of the storage locker. The one used for the M3 is rectangular and mounted on the side in the storage locker. If this isn't a big deal let me know. M16 used a square one mounted under the passenger'side front seat. I do not have any spare terminal straps for these boxes.

Steve A.

[Tapper02]

Steve,
  Out of curiosity, do you have the measurements for the M3 version?  If I can't find originals, then I'll probably take you up on the offer to have them made… but to M3 specs if possible.  Thanks!

-Tom

[steve1973]

Hi Tom,
I do not have any info of the M3 version. I've seen a photo of one still in a project halftrack before but couldn't find it again. here is a photo of what I have.



The box on the left is my NOS box like in your photo.

The box in the center in my reproduction.

The box on the right is a take out from an M16. Was mounted under the passenger's front seat.

You only need one box for each halftrack. The box is the terminal junction between the battery and the radio(s). You have a main harness in conduit from the battery to this box. Then you have wiring from each radio going to this box as seen in radio manuals. As for the price for the reproduction it is between $100-200. Thew were a bit time consuming to make. If anyone else want one I can try to get a batch order done. Might be a little cheaper that way. Let me know.

Steve A.

[steve1973]

Here is a photo of an M3 terminal box. They were mounted on the vertical track armor on the right side where the M2's were on the left side inner floor (sheet metal). The ones I've seen in M2's and M16's are square. The ones for M3's are rectangular. These boxes are factory installed items.

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/M3_halftrack_radio_junction_box.jpg

Steve A.

[col.halftrack]

 Steve the photo is of the right hand side of a M2A1 I believe?

[yd328]

Yep, the Colonel is correct that is a M2a1 pic. Its my right side box

Gary

[steve1973]

OK, I'm wrong about the halftrack model. It is interesting that an M2A1 has a box that is more commonly found in an M3/M3A1.

Steve A.

[yd328]

I have one mounted each side with a single wire connecting the two. There was also a large cable in the right box.

Gary

[Tapper02]

Glad to see this come up again.  I bought what I thought was the right part about 8 months ago, and just pulled it out of the box to look at it again.  Unfortunately it doesn't have the same internal configuration as the ones you guys have and the part numbers don't match what I listed above.  The box part number is C100444 and the internal part is B 209140.
What IS interesting is that this is exactly like the two terminal boxes that Gary (yd328) removed from his M2A1 during restoration.  See pic below of his (reposted from his thread)...followed by pics of my new one.  I'm thoroughly confused.  Thoughts??

Gary's terminal boxes:


New terminal box:







-Tom

[Outsider]

The box with only two large terminals is a main power supply box. My guess is that the other box in the inter-connection box to connect all the mics and speakers in the HT.

My 2 cents,
Steve

[brian in denver]

those large boxes look almost the same as the dodge carryall boxes.  I know on the SCR-193 radio theres a bunch of interconnect wires that feed in and out of the the J-box, and hook into a buss bar. TM-183 if i remember.

http://www.radionerds.com/index.php/TM_-_Terminal

anybody know if a "radio shack block will fit ?

BB

[Tapper02]

Brian,
  Good call.  Are you talking about the HO-17?  I'll have to dig into how they are wired up...maybe find an alternative.

-Tom

[Tapper02]

The box with only two large terminals is a main power supply box. My guess is that the other box in the inter-connection box to connect all the mics and speakers in the HT.

My 2 cents,
Steve

Steve,
  That makes sense since the boxes I am looking for are to route the power supply from the battery to the different radios installed and not to cross-connect the radios' comms.  Getting closer....

[yd328]

Does anyone know if these boxes are painted or just left bare metal?

Thanks Gary