PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-617

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 617

APRIL 2004
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-617 - Page 22 of 33
PS 617
APR 04
41
Great job, Jason. We at PS support any effort to save equipment and in so doing,
time and money.
Another solution is one that CECOM has recommended and that is to put a strip
of metal between the condenser and the screw holes.
Here at PS, we recommend you keep track of the original screws and keep some
right-size replacements on hand. Also, don’t forget to wear goggles anytime you’re
working around the AC condenser. An eyeful of coolant could take your sight.
F18H-MPI AC Unit…
Dear Editor,
A lot of commo shelters use the 18,000 BTU horizontal air conditioner,
That air conditioner has
a fabric cover, NSN 4130-
01-268-2163, that rolls
down to cover the con-
denser side of the unit.
This cover takes a beating
and since it is needed to
protect the condenser, it
often gets replaced. That’s
where the problem starts.
To replace the cover, six
small screws, NSN 5305-
00-984-6195, need to
be removed. Unfortunately,
during removal, a screw or
two usually gets dropped or
lost. Replacement screws
are grabbed from the
“extra” screw bucket kept
in the shop. If these screws
are longer than the originals
(a good possibility), you’re
going to create a world of
hurt for yourself and the
AC unit!
There is
nothing
between the pointed tip
of the screw and the
top of your condenser
coil but air. And not
much of that! If the
screw is too long, it will
puncture the condens-
er. Not only will you
ruin the condenser, but
you just might get a
face-full of coolant!
Neither prospect is a
good one.
To solve the problem,
I put 8/32 blind nut
inserts into each of
the screw holes. These
inserts bottom out a
screw before it can
reach the condenser
coil. You’ll have to use
the right-size screw
because the longer
ones won’t fit!
Jason Hannah,
Ft Gordon, GA
I lost ‘em,
but here’s
one we had
sitting
around.
fine, fine.
let’s get this
done and get
outta here!
ahhh! no!
don’t use
those
screws!
I’m on
strike until
you use the
right screws!
From the desk of the
Editor
Blind nut inserts
will solve problem
There’s not much
space under here
Cover takes
a beating
Keep track
of screws
you remove
hand me one
of those ac
cover screws,
wouldja?
Don’t Screw Into the Condenser!
617. 40-41 (C)
2/28/04
12:51 PM
Page 1
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