PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-610

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 610

SEPTEMBER 2003
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-610 - Page 23 of 33
* Your
first
option is the BA-5800, NSN 6135-01-440-7774. It comes in a pack
of eight batteries and costs almost $160, or about $20 per battery.
The BA-5800 provides the
best operating duration and
temperature range and is con-
venient to use, but does
require disposal as hazardous
waste. It also is under great
demand, which means your
resupply may take longer than
you would like.
* A
second
option is using
eight AA batteries in a battery
holder. You can order a pack-
age of 24 AA alkaline batteries
The pack costs a little more
than $5. The batteries are not
hazardous waste so they can
be tossed when drained.
You can also use rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. Order them with NSN 6140-
00-449-6001, at about $30.
To hold the batteries, you’ll need battery tray, NSN 6160-01-385-4358. It costs
about $12.50.
Either type of AA batteries lasts about a third of the time a BA-5800 lasts. That
means you’ll change out the AAs and the battery tray three times more than you’ll
replace the BA-5800.
If you use this method, we recommend you have three trays packed with eight
batteries ready for each PLGR. Initially, the trays and one pack of batteries will cost
about $42.50, but you won’t have to buy the trays again.
In the long run, it will be much cheaper than buying BA-5800s, but you will have
the inconvenience of carrying a lot of AAs, loading the battery trays, and removing
and replacing them.
* A
final
option is using a Ni-cad rechargeable bat-
tery, NSN 6140-01-400-2902. The battery costs about
$80 and will recharge itself if your PLGR is connect-
ed to external power, or you can remove the battery to
recharge it. It can be recharged at least 200 times.
The rechargeable Ni-cad will cost more initially,
but will save a great deal of money in the long run;
however, rechargeables do not fit into every opera-
tional situation.
If you want to recharge the battery outside the PLGR, you’ll need a custom bat-
tery charging stand that you must order directly from Rockwell-Collins at (800)
321-2223. They have stands for one, three and six batteries that will cost you from
$200 to $600.
Unlike the BA-5800 that might explode, the rechargeable Ni-cad can be left in the
PLGR when external power is used.
A new rechargeable battery and charger will soon be fielded for use in training,
but is not yet in the supply system.
PS 610
SEP 03
42
Global Positioning System…
When it
comes to
powering your
precision
lightweight
GPS receiver
(PLGR) with
batteries, you
have three
choices.
By figuring
the cost, where
you’ll be using
the plgr and
how much
time you’ll
need battery
power, you can
decide which
method is best
for you.
The
three
options
The
first
option is
BA-5800/U
The
second
option is
BA-3058/U
BA-5800/U Lithium
Nickel Cadmium
BA-3058/U in holder
The
third
option is a Ni-cad
610. 42-43 (C)
8/1/03
3:56 PM
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