PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-598
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 598
SEPTEMBER 2002
Cable Care
Inside the radar are numerous slen-
der cables that require the proper
wrench. If you use your multipurpose
tool on them, you can twist the cables
and tear their wiring.
It’s a different story with the big J1,
J2, and J3 cables. They require two
hands. If you twist cables on or off
one-handed, you rip the wiring. And
they’re expensive. So use one hand to
support the cable and take the weight
off the connector. Use the other hand to
turn the connector until it disconnects.
Pull it straight off. Don’t let the cable
slam to the ground. It can’t take the hit.
Patriot Missile System…
Keep PM on Your Radar Screen
Fresh Air
The AN/MPQ-53 needs plenty
of fresh air to keep its electronics
from overheating, especially in
the desert. That makes filters Job
No. 1 during maintenance.
At least monthly (every other
week in the desert), check all eight
vent screens for dirt. Vacuum
them if necessary. Before power-
ing up the radar, make sure every
vent is open.
The radar’s two
A100 distribution box power panel
filters, the
A122 control
logic panel excitor
filter and the filters behind the
inverters
are almost always for-
gotten. They should be checked monthly (every other week in the desert) and
cleaned if necessary.
An AN/MPQ-53
radar whose
electronics are
overheating or
whose cable
connectors are
clogged with
sand won’t be any
help to your
Patriot battery.
But
you
can keep
the radar radiating
good health if you
keep PM on your
radar screen.
Filters will stay clean longer
if you keep radar doors shut as
much as possible and weekly
vacuum inside the radar. Dust
lying on the floor will be
sucked into the air system.
The
IFF
cabinet
also
becomes clogged with dirt and
its circuit cards overheat.
Weekly, wipe dirt off the IFF
cabinet and follow the rest of
the PMCS in TM 11-5895-
824-12.
Vacuum
dirty vents
support the cable with
one hand while unscrewing
the connector. then lay
the cable down.
don’t
forget panel
and inverter
filters!
Don’t use
multipurpose
tools on
small cables
like this!
Use two
hands
PS 598
SEP 02
16
598. 16-17 (C)
7/29/02
9:08 PM
Page 1
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