PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-689
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 689
APRIL 2010
49
PS 689
APR 10
Dear Editor,
The generator for JBPDS BIDS (joint biological point detection system
biological integrated detection system) can die if you don’t treat it with
care. Unfortunately, it’s often ignored and as a result suffers. My former
unit lost six generators.
But there are some easy ways to keep the BIDS generator generating:
Don’t use high
pressure water hoses
around the generator.
The generator is surrounded
by fireproofing foam. High
pressure water knocks off
chunks of the foam and the
foam is sucked into the air
cleaner, which can prevent
the generator from getting
enough air.
It’s a good idea to
keep an eye on the foam.
If it’s crumbling, tell your
repairman. He may need to
replace it.
Editor’s note:
Some powerful generator PM, Sergeant. JPDS BIDS
operators also should keep the generator stowed except when they need to
pull it out for maintenance. That protects it from dirt, moisture and other
stuff that can cause problems. And make sure the HMMWV fuel tank is full
before operations. If it runs out of fuel, so does the generator. Then your
mechanic has to bleed the air from the generator fuel system.
Pull out part of the
exhaust hose before you
slide out generator.
If you
don’t first pull out 3-4 feet of
the exhaust hose to give the
hose some slack, the hose’s
coupling may tear the hose when
you pull out the generator tray.
Keep an eye on the
exhaust hose’s wrapping.
The generator’s vibration can
cause the wrapping to unravel
to the point it catches in the
generator fan.
Clean the back of
the radiator every six
months.
This is critical if
you’re operating in a sandy
environment like the desert.
Oil and sand collect on the
backside of the radiator.
If it gets too dirty, the
radiator can’t cool the
generator and it overheats.
That can kill the generator.
The fan guard makes it
difficult to clean the back of
the radiator. Your repairman will
need to remove the fan guard,
which is held on by several
screws. Spray low-pressure
water through the front of the
radiator to loosen up the gunk.
Then use something like
a playing card to scrape the
gunk off. Don’t use anything
metallic that could damage the
radiator coils.
SSG Gerald Eidson
U.S. Army CBRN School
Ft Leonard Wood, MO
JBPDS BIDS…
Generating
Generator
Solutions
Pull out
exhaust
hose
before
sliding out
generator
Run low
pressure
water
through
front of
radiator
to knock
loose crud
keep that high
pressure stuff
away
from me.
all that water knocks
my fireproofing foam
loose.
I’m runnin’
low on power
here.
how about
generating
some
generator pm
so I can
really crank into action.
689.48-49.indd
1-2
2/22/10
4:45:43 PM
SSG G.E.
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