PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-667
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 667
JUNE 2008
Dear Editor,
Any M12A1 decon that sees much deconning will almost always have
trouble with Valves 1 and 4. Both valves are turned on and off many times
and that causes their parts to wear out. PMCS usually doesn’t catch valve
problems until the valves just quit working. Then you can’t decon.
Here are a few ways to catch valve problems before they become fatal:
With
Valve
1,
the
trouble
is
usually
the
cotter pin that connects
the valve to the gear. If
the pin works out, the
gear won’t engage when
you turn the valve. The
solution is simple. During
PMCS, look to see if the
cotter pin is flush. If it’s
sticking out, tell your
repairman. It needs to be
replaced.
With Valve 4, it’s not so simple. It connects to a ball valve inside the
prime detergent tank where you can’t inspect it. The screws for the ball
valve housing work loose and then the valve can’t engage the ball valve. This
can also cause leaks in the pump.
46
PS 667
JUNE 08
Dear Half-Mast,
We have been taught that the dots on our ICAM (improved chemical agent
monitor) are supposed to disappear from the display once the WAIT light
goes off. But with some of our ICAMs, the dots don’t disappear until about
a minute after the WAIT light goes off. Are these ICAMs OK or should we
send them to maintenance?
SSG T.C.
Dear Sergeant T.C.,
As long as the dots disappear within a minute, your ICAM is OK. If the dots don’t
disappear, install a nozzle cap and run the ICAM for 72 hours. Then do the self-
test and conF
dence test again. Dots still won’t go away? Your ICAM needs to go to
direct support for a checkup.
The best way to spot
Valve 4 trouble is to fill up
the detergent tank with
water. Put the valve in the
OPEN position and look
for leaks where it connects
to the tank. If there are
no leaks, make sure the
tank drains when the valve
is in the OPEN position
and stops draining in the
CLOSED position. If you
spot any problems, tell your
repairman.
SSG Brian Francis
US Army Chemical School
Ft Leonard Wood, MO
Editor’s note:
Valuable valve advice
for deconners, Sergeant. Thanks.
M12A1 Decon…
Valuable Valve Checks
ICAM…
Are Dots OK?
On Valve 1, check that
the cotter pin is fl
ush.
If it’s not, report it
On Valve 4, look
for leaks where it
connects to tank.
Make sure valve
works in OPEN and
CLOSED positions
check out
these valve
checks from
the chemical
school.
they will
save us both
trouble in
the field.
give me a
minute and
these dots
will go
away.
honest,
I’m ok!
ok, but
just one
minute.
otherwise, I’m
running you
for
7
2 hours!
667.46-47.indd
1-2
4/28/08
4:31:52 PM
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