PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-588
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 588
NOVEMBER 2001
T
he personnel heater in the back of your M88A1 recovery vehicle puts out a lot of
heat. Unfortunately, that means crewmen in the back of the vehicle cook while the
driver freezes.
You can better regulate the flow of
heated air by opening the oil reservoir
access plate and leaning it at an angle
toward the heater vent.
That diverts the air under the floor
plates so that it warms the entire
vehicle by slowly radiating upward
through the steel floor plates. It keeps
everyone comfortable in the front and
back of the vehicle.
There’s another benefit, too. In extremely cold temperatures, the heated air under
the floor plates helps keep the hydraulic system warm. It’s ready to go whenever you
need it.
Make sure you run the vent blower whenever the
heater is on, though. That prevents a buildup of carbon
dioxide in the vehicle.
You’ll also need to move the portable fire extinguish-
er that’s near the right side air particulate filter.
Otherwise, diverted air heats up the extinguisher and
can cause a discharge.
When you put the floor plate back in place later, be
sure to put the extinguisher back in its original position.
PS 588
M88A1 Recovery Vehicle…
PS 588
NOV 01
19
Ground Power Units…
Dear Editor,
Anyone who’s had to slave start a tank knows how tough it is to
maneuver another vehicle close enough to perform the operation, espe-
cially within the close confines of a motor pool.
Not only is it time-consuming, but it usually takes two or three sol-
diers to do the job. And if there’s one thing maintenance managers can’t
spare, it’s personnel.
We’ve solved this problem by buying a ground power unit (GPU), NSN
6130-01- 475-5321, for our motor pool. The GPU is a Class IX item,
weighs only 56 pounds and is easy to move between vehicles. It’ll
restart several vehicles without having to be recharged.
The GPU recharges in
about 75 minutes from a
110/220-volt or 240-
volt
outlet.
You
can
recharge it in the field by
leaving it hooked up to a
running vehicle.
The GPU uses a dry-
cell design, so there’s no
battery acid to handle.
With the GPU, a maintenance team in a small vehicle can make repairs
to a disabled tank, re-start it and send it back into action without hav-
ing another tank or recovery vehicle on site to provide power.
CW4 Gilbert Phifer
US Army Ordnance Center and School
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
We get a real charge out of that idea! The GPU works great with all combat,
tactical and construction vehicles—anything that uses a 24-volt system.
Portable GPU
powers up
combat
vehicles while
saving time
and manpower
Tilt plate to
direct heat
under floor
Need some
power?
I’m your
guy!
NOV 01
18
From the desk of the
Editor
588. 18-19 (C)
9/20/01
6:19 PM
Page 1
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