PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-589

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 589

DECEMBER 2001
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-589 - Page 9 of 32
M1-Series Tanks, M104 Wolverine…
Dear Half-Mast,
Because of the added weight from
armor improvements, we haven’t been
allowed to swim the M2A2/M3A2
Bradley since 1996. But TM 9-
2350-284-10-1 still lists a defec-
tive bilge pump as a deadlining item.
If we’re not swimming the vehicles,
what difference does it make whether
the bilge pump works or not?
SSG W.F.B.
Dear Sergeant W.F.B.,
Good question!
While it’s true that none of the
M2/M3-series Bradleys are allowed to
swim, they can still ford water up to 42
inches deep. That’s why a non-op bilge
pump is still an NMC fault.
T
he Prestolite starter on your tank or Wolverine may need replacing.
When some of the starters were manufactured, Prestolite forgot to apply a thread-
locking compound to the solenoid’s armature adjustment. They also forgot to install
an improved waterproofing gasket on the starter case. Neither fault will impact per-
formance, but the affected starters are being recalled at no cost to the Army.
You can identify recalled starters by their data plate which lists “Arcade, NY” as
the point of origin and a serial number between 0040039 and 0041001 with a few
exceptions.
For a list of the exceptions and details on how to turn in the starters, see TACOM
Maintenance Advisory Message 01-015 or call TACOM at DSN 786- 7395/7820 or
(810) 574-7395/7820.
PS 589
DEC 01
14
T
ankers, the warm air from your tank’s personnel heater feels great during the cold
days of winter. But, that warm air’s not nearly as good for your tank’s electronics
unit (EU) and power control unit (PCU).
If the airflow deflector is missing, for
instance, all that hot air blows directly
onto the EU and PCU. It doesn’t take
much of that intense heat to burn up both.
So have your mechanic install a
replacement deflector if yours is missing.
That sends warm air through to the turret
while preventing the direct blast of hot air
that can knock out the EU and PCU.
The M1A1/A2’s deflector is NSN 2805-01-203-2773. NSN 1015-01-155-2713
gets a deflector for the M1/IPM1 tank.
Until the deflector arrives, protect the EU and PCU by running the heater for only
30 minutes at a time. Let it cool off for about 15 minutes between operations.
In extreme cold, when you have to run the heater longer than 30 minutes at a time,
turn the main gun over the back deck and elevate it slightly. That keeps hot air from
hitting the EU and PCU by turning the heater vent in a different direction.
Hot air will burn
up EU and PCU
…
who
was
s’posed to
check my
bilge pump?
tell me
again,…
my
eu
and
pcu
will
be glad
to switch
places
with you.
They’re
toast!
you’d
better check
the
serial
number
to
be sure!
looks like
your
starter
motor
could
have some
problems!
M2A2/M3A2 Bradleys…
It’s
f-f-
freezing
out here!
that
personnel
heater’s
gonna feel
good!
M1-Series Tanks…
589. 14-15 (C)
10/25/01
1:43 PM
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