PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 696

NOVEMBER 2010
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696 - Page 5 of 33
6
PS 696
NOV 10
7
PS 696
NOV 10
i
s there anything worse on a cold winter’s morning than a personnel heater that won’t
work? Well, maybe it’s not as bad as having your foot run over by an M1 tank.
..but it’s
gotta be in the top three.
The main culprits behind a non-heating heater are a jammed exhaust fan and burned-
out fuse.
Over time, dust and dirt build up inside the heater. When enough debris builds up, it
locks up the exhaust fan. If the fan stops turning, the 6.3-amp fuse burns out and the
heater shuts down.
Not knowing what’s wrong, some operators actually remove the heater and send it in
for repairs.
Turns out the fix is fairly simple:
W
hen the temperature’s dropping outside, there’s nothing like being inside your nice
warm Paladin. ‘Course that can also put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning!
Carbon monoxide comes from personnel heater exhaust, the engine, and from
fring the main gun. IF the vapors aren’t vented, carbon monoxide levels will increase
until they become deadly.
Your best protection is awareness and ventilation. ±ollow these basic tips to ensure
proper ventilation:
•±
Do your PMCS on time. That’s the only way to make sure ventilation systems and
blowers are working properly.
•±
Never operate the personnel heater in an enclosed area unless it is adequately
vented.
•±
Do not idle the engine for long periods unless you’re sure the personnel
compartment is ventilated.
•±
Do not drive your Paladin with the inspection plates, cover plates or engine
compartment doors removed unless it’s necessary For maintenance.
•±
Be alert at all times For the symptoms oF carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches,
dizziness, loss oF muscular control, and drowsiness. IF you experience these
symptoms, get out oF the vehicle, stay warm and avoid physical exertion while
waiting for medical attention.
Of course, you can usually prevent the problem altogether by cleaning the fan when
temperatures start to fall and again at the end of winter. Making sure the air inlet screen,
NSN 2510-01-264-0153, is properly installed in the cab will help keep out debris, too.
1.
Remove the air duct hose, NSN 4720-00-
535-7615, from the heater.
2.
Vacuum out the accumulated dirt and
dust around the fan.
3.
Turn the fan back and forth to loosen
dirt at the base of the fan and vacuum
again.
4.
Replace the 6.3-amp fuse, NSN 5920-12-
301-5271, if necessary.
MLRS Carrier…
a clean
heater is
a working
heater!
M109A6 Paladin…
Clean dust and dirt from fan
Replace burned-out fuse
brrr!
it’s cold
this
morning!
and I bet
that personnel
heater won’t
work either!
believe
me,
brother…
it could
be a
whole lot
worse!
{whew!}
those
carbOn
monoxide
fumes
almost
did us
in!
you
said
it!
we must
have some
venting
problems!
696.06-07.indd
1-2
10/5/10
10:54 AM
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