PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-601

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 601

DECEMBER 2002
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-601 - Page 12 of 33
PS 601
20
In the Motor Pool
Don’t let your MLRS sit idle for long periods. At least weekly, run the engine at
high idle for 30 minutes with the LAUNCHER INTERCONNECT switch on to
keep the carrier and LM batteries charged.
During semiannual maintenance,
you and your mechanic need to pull all
the LM batteries and check the battery
box for corrosion. If you spot any, rub it
off with a wire brush and spot paint the
bare area with zinc chromate primer,
When the primer dries, coat the box
with corrosion preventive compound,
NSN 8030-01-134-6513, before rein-
stalling the batteries.
Before closing the battery
box, give the batteries some
extra protection by covering
them with rubber matting.
Matting keeps water and dirt
off the tops of the batteries.
NSN
brings a 7
1
⁄
2
-ft long sheet of
matting. Just cut it to fit the
battery box.
In the Field
Even with perfect batteries and a charging system that’s working right, you can
operate on battery power alone for only 20 minutes. So operate the LM with the
engine running at high idle as much as possible. That’ll provide enough juice to
recharge the batteries and run the LM.
Check the batteries’ electrolyte levels daily in the field. Operating with a high
load requirement can dry out the batteries fast.
Matting keeps dirt and
water off batteries
Remove batteries and
check box for corrosion
You've got 20
minutes ‘til my
batteries need
a
high idle
recharge!
PS 601
DEC 02
21
Sentinel Radar System…
The
Sentinel
radar system
has
a few soft spots
that require a bit of
careful handling.
Driving:
Take it slow, very slow, over rough country. The Sentinel antenna-
transceiver group is top-heavy and it can roll over if it bounces hard over bumps.
One unit had a Sentinel ATG turn over at 15 mph. So keep it slow—no more than
10 mph.
Cleaning:
Keep water hoses
out of the shelter. Water will
damage electrical components
like cannon plugs. To get rid of
dirt, sweep it out with a broom.
If more cleaning is needed, use
a damp mop inside the shelter.
Generator cable:
Before you move out,
secure the generator cable. If the cable works
loose and drags on the ground, it can quickly
be ruined. An easy way to secure the cable is
to weave its end through the cable coils and let
the weight of the cable hold it in place.
Hand brakes:
As part of your weekly
PMCS, make sure the trailer hand brake cable
is seated in its groove. If it's not, it will fray
and break. Your mechanic can reposition the
cable if necessary.
Thread cable
end through
coils to secure it
Make sure brake
cable is in groove
stop it,
would you!?
you’re killin’
my electrical
connections!
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