PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-568
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 568
MARCH 2000
PS 568
48
PS 568
49
Troubleshooting
If you get a LOW PARTICLES dis-
play, try these troubleshooting steps:
1.
Open a window or light a candle.
The air may be
too clean.
2.
Use fresh
alcohol. Make
sure you fill the
cartridge to the
fill line. Not
enough alcohol
can cause
problems, too.
3.
Change the
alcohol wick.
4.
Check that
the twin tube
assembly is not kinked or blocked and
that the clear tube is hooked to the
silver fitting and the green tube to the
green fitting.
head-movement part of the test. If he
jerks his head around, the difference in
air flow can affect the test.
When you’re through testing, remove
the alcohol cartridge. If you leave it in,
the alcohol saturates the counting
mechanism. Put the storage cap back
on to seal out contamination.
Take off
the HEPA
filter only to do an ambient particle
background check or a mask test.
Take off the storage cap only to
install the alcohol cartridge. While
using the cartridge, put the cap on
the alcohol capsule to keep the alcohol
uncontaminated.
Check the tubes for moisture. Shake
them out if necessary and hang them
up to dry. If you have newer tubes, use
them. Worn tubes sometimes lose their
seal.
5.
Change the HEPA filter.
No luck? Your PATS needs to be seen
by your local TMDE unit.
Another good tip is to have the sol-
dier move his head slowly during the
Testing
If a mask is dirty or has a loose can-
ister or voicemitter, it’s going to fail
the PATS test. So have the soldier do a
complete PMCS on his mask before
you test it.
Then make sure the outlet valve
cover is clean inside as well as out.
Also have the soldier wash his face
with water and rinse out his mouth with
water before testing his mask fit. Co-
logne, tobacco smoke and mouthwash
all affect PATS test results.
Make sure the HEPA (high efficiency
particulate) filter arrow is pointing to-
Dirty valve causes bad readings
Remove storage cap only to
install alcohol cartridge
Pull out
alcohol
cartridge for
shutdown
i’ve
got to be
good and
clean before
testing!
problems?
troubleshooting
is the answer.
I know
you're ready.
you passed
my test!
Fill to FILL line
thanks,
pal! i'm
ready to
go!
Remove HEPA filter only for
particle count or mask test
ward the PATS. If it’s not, the filter
can’t stop contaminants from going into
the PATS. Reverse the filter if it’s point-
ing in the wrong direction.
Arrow pointing towards PATS?
Green on green
Clear on silver
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