PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-561
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 561
AUGUST 1999
PS 561
13
PS 561
12
AUG 99
Keep Drain Valve in Check
D
rivers, make sure your M1-series tank’s
hull drain valves are closed before a mis-
sion. Running with the valves open lets dirt
and water into the hull. It also makes valves
easy targets for damage as they hang under-
neath the tank.
When you shut down for the day, open
the valves to drain any water. Water in
the hull causes corrosion and shorted-out
electronics.
It also mixes with dirt to make mud. When
the mud hardens, it has to be chipped away.
rivers, if you’re carrying anything besides diesel in your tank’s fuel pods,
running the smoke generator is a no-no.
JP-4 and MOGAS both have low flash points. If you use the smoke generator
with those fuels, you’ll cause an explosion.
Using JP-8 won’t cause an explosion, but it won’t create any smoke, either.
So, it pays to know what fuel is in your tank. Diesel is the only fuel you can
safely use to make smoke.
Even if you’re using something other than diesel in your tank, you should still
follow all operational and maintenance procedures listed for the smoke genera-
tor in the -10 TMs. That’s the only way to make sure it will work when you
do
have the right fuel.
thermal receiving unit (TRU) that can’t keep its cool is bound to make your
tank hot under the collar.
Keep it cool by making sure the dewar/cryogenic cooler assembly doesn’t lose
helium pressure. Here’s how:
M1-Series Tanks . . .
Use the TRU’s reusable container
whenever storing or shipping the unit.
That protects the cooler assembly from
knocks and bangs that can damage
seals.
Mechanics
Keep your hands off the cooler as-
sembly when removing or installing
the TRU. Use it as a handhold and the
seals will pull loose. Then the entire
assembly has to be replaced.
Pay attention to how long it takes
the TRU to cool down. If it consis-
tently takes longer than 15 minutes,
the cooler assembly is probably low
on helium. Report it.
Crewmen
Keep the TRU turned off during
daylight hours and at night when it’s
not in use. Unnecessary use increases
the chance of a failure.
TRU not being used?
Put THERMAL MODE
switch on OFF
Cooler assembly is not a handhold!
helium loss
has his
t-r-u
hot
!
hey,
looks
like the smoke
generator is
working
fine
.
yeah, but
isn't the s
moke
supposed to
be
white
?
what's
got him so
steamed
?
Drain water after operating
PS 561
13
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