PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-556
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 556
MARCH 1999
Rechargeable Batteries . . .
If a top pops loose after a few mis-
sions and there is no other damage to
the battery, call or e-mail CECOM for
replacement.
If the connector screws loosen, hand
tighten them. Make it a habit to check
the screws.
Prevention is
always
the best solu-
tion to case problems. When you’re
packing it for transport or a jump, wrap
the battery with clothing or other cush-
ioning items. Or stick it in a heavy-
duty, cushioned plastic bag. Some folks
have found that a wrapped battery in-
side a milk crate travels well.
The CECOM battery web site is
found at:
Just click on
Battery Support
.
3108. Then recharge. A depleted bat-
tery should fully charge in about two
hours.
If the SOC indicator is flickering or
has less than four segments lit, use
your voltmeter to check the battery
voltage at each 12-volt section, pins
1-4 and 2-5. If you get 12.75 volts or
more, your battery is charged and the
SOC indicator is faulty.
If the battery is within the 1-9999
serial number, contact CECOM at DSN
992-4948 or (732) 532-4948. Or e-mail
them at:
brockeld@mail1.monmouth.army.mil
They will give you return and re-
placement instructions.
If the battery is above the 9999 se-
rial number and your mission demands
it, continue to use that battery, but note
on the battery that the SOC indicator
is bad. Alert other users in your unit to
judge the battery on its actual life.
BB-390s will self-discharge on the
shelf about 1 percent a day, so we rec-
ommend you keep them as freshly
charged as possible prior to issue.
This is especially true with those bat-
teries serial numbered 1 through 9999.
A battery with a faulty SOC indica-
tor might be fully charged while the
indicator flickers or only shows one,
two or three segments lighted.
If you suspect your battery has a
faulty SOC, do this:
First, completely discharge the bat-
tery in your equipment or in a PP-8448
discharge unit, NSN 6130-01-430-
Store rechargables charged and then
charge them at least once a year to
keep them fresh.
The Case Against the Case
The good news is that future BB-
390s will have a tougher case. The bad
news is that the case now is weak.
If the case cracks or the top pops
off, you can fix both with commercial
epoxy and duct tape. If not, turn the
battery in for disposal.
Try fixing case cracks with glue
46
your charge
indicators say that
you're
ready
to be
recharged
.
my state of
charge indicators
don't always
tell the
truth
, but the commo
chief says that i'm
charged
and
good to go
.
MAR 99
47
ome of you have found that the
rechargeable BB-390A/U battery, NSN
6140-01-419-8187, is as hard to handle
as an ornery mule.
Here are a few things that might be
bucking you off and a few ways to
tighten your grip on the battery reins.
The Unbelievable SOC
In early BA-390s, the state of charge
(SOC) indicator might not be reliable.
Completely discharge battery
State of charge indicators
may not be reliable
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