PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-692
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 692
JULY 2010
43
PS 692
JUL 10
1. Avoid extended storage.
Every Soldier likes to stockpile supplies and equipment.
It’s better to have too much than not enough, right? But batteries need to be used.
Lying around is not their thing. The chemicals in batteries never really rest. Stuff
is happening inside a battery that reduces its powering capacity. The key to always
having fresh batteries is knowing your unit’s battery usage and meeting that need,
but not piling up excess. And remember, “Frst in, Frst out.”
2. Avoid heat.
High storage temperatures will ruin a battery. Even commercial
batteries like double As, Cs, and Ds can be cooked in the heat. So, it’s up to you to
help batteries keep their cool. Don’t leave batteries in direct sunlight. Don’t store
batteries in hot CONEX boxes or MILVANs. If you’re suffering in the heat, your
batteries are, too.
3. Avoid storing batteries with differ-
ent
chemistries
together.
Like
a
divorcing couple, some batteries don’t
get along and their relationship can
be explosive! Check the MSDS for
every battery type you use. Know their
chemistry.
Lithium
batteries
should
always be segregated from other types.
They just don’t play well with others!
4. Avoid removing battery packaging before using the battery.
Keep batteries in
their original packaging until needed. The original packaging helps you identify the
batteries and does offer some protection from crushing, puncturing and shorting.
5. Avoid
using
non-
authorized batteries.
It
seems like every country
on
the
earth
makes
batteries. Of course, all
batteries are not created
equal. If you’re getting
a non-authorized battery
on the cheap, chances
are it’s a poorly made,
short-lasting,
possibly-
exploding battery.
6. Avoid surprises by checking your batteries before use.
Check new batteries
for a good charge prior to issuing them to make sure high heat has not fried them,
or a lengthy storage has not drained them. Checking the equipment is better than
nothing, but a battery tester like the ZTS tester, NSN 6625-01-494-9163, is better.
Battery Use
and Storage…
Six Things
but man’s
greatest invention
does have a few
weaknesses.
here are
six
things to
avoid
when storing and
using batteries.
man’s greatest
invention was
the battery.
without batteries, we’d
need
miles and miles
of extension cord.
…we’d accidentally
pull the plug out
of the wall socket!
and, of course, as
soon as we
really
needed to
communi-
cate
with someone…
to
Avoid!
I’m sorry,
wrong
room.
hey!
that
battery’s not
authorized
for me!
692.42-43.indd
1-2
5/24/10
5:12:51 PM
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