PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-619
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 619
JUNE 2004
water flow
Rinse the can and cap in clear, hot water. Then turn the can upside down to drain
and air dry. A little water left sitting in a can could be a breeding ground for con-
taminants, so remove as much moisture as possible.
Some units have devised a wicking
system to get the last bit of moisture
out of the cans as they sit in storage.
They tie a strip of clean, cotton cloth
or fabric tape, NSN 8315-00-255-
7662, to the can’s handle and then run
it into the can. The fabric acts as a
wick and draws out the last of the
water.
•
Replace.
If the cap leaks or is dam-
aged, get a new one with NSN 7240-
00-089-7312.
If the can has even a small puncture,
replace it with one of these five-gallon
plastic cans:
PS 619
JUN 04
50
Plastic Water Cans…
can care lets
w
ater is vital when you’re soldiering in the summer heat. You need to drink long
and often when the sun is scorching and the land’s baked dry and dusty.
Give your water cans some basic care so you won’t go thirsty.
The first step is to get acquainted with TM 10-7200-200-13. It’ll give you the full
story on your can. Then follow this PM plan:
•
Inspect.
Look over the can and its cap often while in use. After you come in from
the field, go over them again. Look for leaks, scratches or other damage. Check
inside the can and cap to make sure they’re clean.
•
Clean.
If they’re dirty, wash the can
and cap inside and out. Use one ounce
of detergent, NSN 7930-00-281-
4731, for each gallon of hot water.
Keep the water temperature below
180°F. (212°F is boiling.) Hotter
water will warp the plastic can.
Wash with a clean cloth, sponge or
fiber brush. Steer clear of abrasives
like scouring powder, steel wool and
metal sponges. They’ll scratch the
can’s surface and make it harder to
clean next time.
Wash inside and out
Wick
draws
out last
of water
Replace leaking caps
NSN
Color
Lusterless sand
Green
Olive drab
if they’d
given me
some basic
PM, you
wouldn’t
be Going
thirsty!
wotta
break!
water!!
gee, I’m
really
thirsty!
619. 50-51 (C)
4/29/04
5:43 PM
Page 1
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