Info Request: TM for IR Headlight

[Mutt Hunter]

Gents,

I'm looking for a TM or wiring diagram for this light. NSN is 6220-00-984-5180 and its an IR headlight. Any help appreciated.

dee

[kmam]

It is only an ordinary light bulb with an IR transparent, visible light opaque filter. I had two on my MUTT when I got it but they were not connected and are no longer fitted. so far as I know there is not wiring for them as standard on the MUTT. If you wanted to use them, I would suggest connecting them to the blackout light circuit but you will need an IR sensitive viewer to get any use out of them. Probably not necessary to wire them up - just put them on for appearance sake.

[muttguru]

Dee.....

I haven't found an installation TM for IR light units but there is some information in TM9-2350-261-10 and TM9-2350-261-24P.

Here are some extracts that may be of use. There's probably more in TM9-2350-261-20 but I haven't been able to locate that one yet.







NOTE. There are warnings throughout these TMs about the dangers of IR lights. They may look impressive but they were never used on M151-series vehicles. The best advice here is...if you must have them....DON'T wire them up.

Ken

[kmam]

Judging by those instructions, there is a two way switch you would need to add to the dash. You would cut the output from the BO connection on the light switch and connect it to the input of the two way switch. Then connect one of the outlet positions to the BO wiring and connect the other to a lead to the IR lights. Then, when the light switch is set to BO, you can switch between BO and IR.

[Mutt Hunter]

Thanks for the info, guys. I was already thinking of the blackout drive option for wiring or just wiring directly to battery with a SPST switch in the middle...but my real question is this:

Why two female connectors on back of light? I assume they are both positive, so intuitively, i would think that means that one is for dim and one for bright. Is that correct, or is there more to it?

The only reason i'm toying around with this is that i have some old NVGs collecting dust and i'm feeling the need to play with them again--off road, of course.

dee

[lpcoating]

Hello Dee. I have that same light. Where are you thinking you're going to mount it?

Guy

[kmam]

I'll have a look at mine to see why the two connections.

[Mutt Hunter]

Guy,

I don't know the entire history of my jeep, but before it got retired it had an IR light mounted on the left side, just in front of the windshield. It was in that elevated flat spot just forward of the firewall (see bottom of pic below). When i took delivery, the switch for the light was still installed to the left side of the ROPS-relocated on/off switch for the jeep.

I had these IR lights in the army on a couple of my HMMWVs and they became pretty darn practical after the army started outfitting most folks with NVGs. When i first entered service, nobody had NVGs...and by the time i retired, the cooks were wearing them to make chow. Crazy.

[kmam]

Just pulled mine apart. The sealed beam has three contacts to which is attached a plug with three wires. One goes to earth internally and the remaining two are fed out as leads. Therefore, if you intend to use it, it is essential that the body of the IR light is properly earthed to the vehicle. Of the two leads that come out, it is reasonable to assume that one is high beam and one low.

[rickf]

I have never used the ir lights but I have read in some manuals somewhere that they can be dangerous and can damage eyesight if you look directly at them. The problem being that you do not realize the damage is being done since the wavelength is in the infrared spectrum and you do not see it other than a dull glow.

[1SGCAV77]

I almost don’t remember the IR headlight. I recall them being on the M113 family. Don’t recall them on any wheel vehicle.
In troop, I don’t recall using them.