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Military Hand Operated Electric Power Generators

One of the most interesting types of electrical generators used by the U.S. military is the hand cranked unit. The hand cranked generators disassemble and are light enough to be man-packed in a carrying bag or strapped on a packboard. The hand operated generator provides enough power for a small radio set, crypto gear, rechargeable batteries, and other electronic equipment in the field using a soldier's own muscles to rotate the generator. The clever and versitile hand cranked generators have been in use since before WW II and continue in use in the 21st century.

Signal Corps soldiers direct naval gunfire against German positions using SCR-284 radio with GN-45 hand-cranked generator, France, 10 June 1944
Signal Corps soldiers direct naval gunfire against German positions using SCR-284 radio with GN-45 hand-cranked generator, France, 10 June 1944.

Today in WW II: 21 Jan 1942 Rommel's second offensive drives the British 8th Army back almost 300 miles, halting on 4 Feb between Gazala and Bir Hacheim, 30 miles west of Tobruk, Libya.   

Hand Cranked Mobile Electric Power

G-77/G hand cranked DC generator, with cables, carrying bag and other accessories. Photo: eBay seller blue1969diamond
G-77/G hand cranked DC generator, with cables, carrying bag and other accessories. Photo: eBay seller blue1969diamond.

This page lists U.S. military hand cranked generators used during World War II and afterward to the present.

Model When Output Notes
G-3/TRC-7 WW II/1945   TM 11-617, Variants, for Radio Set AN/TRC-7
G-8 1960s- DC aka G-8/GRC, for RT-66, RT-67, RT-68 or RT-70
G-43/G 1950s-1990s 52.5 watts, 10.5, 17.5, 30V DC TM 11-5122, TM-11-6115-218-xx, NSN 6115-00-510-0611, for AN/GRC-109, AN/PRC-74, Back packed, 22lbs, G-77/G is equivalent, MIL-G-14106B
G-77/G to 1990s 52.5 watts, 10.5, 17.5, 30V DC TM-11-6115-218-xx, NSN 6115-01-072-8080, for AN/GRC-109, AN/PRC-74, Back packed, 22lb, G-43/G is equivalent
GN-35 WW II 400VDC 75ma and 6.3V AC/DC at 2.5A For small radio sets including SCR-131, SCR-161 and SCR-171, SCR-203 (mule packed radio)
GN-37 WW II   For SCR-178
GN-44 WW II 400VDC 75ma and 6.3V AC/DC at 2.5A For SCR-288
GN-45 WW II   Variants, for SCR-284
GN-58/G WW II 425VDC 115ma, 105VDC 32ma, 6.3VDC 2.5A, 1.4VDC 465ma Variants, for BC-1306 and AN/GRC-9, aka G-58/GRC
G-76/G 1980s?? 30V DC TM 11-6115-470-xx, Variants, NSN 6115-01-082-8107, MIL-G-49369, for AN/PRC-70, AN/SC-3 and AN/VSC-7 radios

Notes: This list is not exhaustive. The date is the approximate year the equipment was in use, based on manuals or other information. "Variants" or "Many variants" refers to evolution of models such as PE-75-A, PE-75-B, etc. Manuals with suffix -xx refer to a series depending on maintenance level. If you can fill in any missing data or correct anything in this table, please contact Olive-Drab.com.

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