PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-698

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 698

JANUARY 2011
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-698 - Page 23 of 33
42
PS 698
JAN 11
43
PS 698
JAN 11
N
eed an anchor for your boat? How about a really large paper weight? It could be
you already have one of those if you have a PP-8498/U Soldier portable charger
(SPC) for rechargeable batteries, but haven’t updated to the latest software.
Okay, it’s not quite that bad, but the charger, NSN 6130-01-495-2839, is only as
good as the software that tells it what to do and how to do it.
The latest and greatest software is Program H. It has all the enhancements of the
previous programs, plus enhanced safety when charging old Li-Ion batteries. Also,
the communications issues that existed when transferring software to the charger
have been resolved by Program H.
To download the new software, you’ll need USB-to-serial cable such as, NSN
6150-01-558-7214 or a serial cable, DB9 male to DB9 female with straight through
connections–not a null cable. Then go to this website:
Once at the website, go to the Charger Software upgrades page and follow the
instructions. (If the last software you had was F and you’re wondering about G, quit
wondering. G was not for general distribution.)
It might serve you well to stop by the charger tutorial page and go through the
training if it has been awhile since you took it. You’ll also Fnd a list of the batteries
that can be recharged by this charger, and the adapters you’ll need for each type of
battery.
If you have any hardware or software questions about battery chargers or
rechargeable batteries, the expert in the Feld is Don Brockel at DSN 992-4948 or
(732) 532-4948. His email is:
donald.brockel@us.army.mil
Pubs
MSDS
Finally, and most importantly, read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on lithium
batteries before you handle them.
Where do you get an MSDS?
Glad you asked!
Log on to the Internet and
go to:
Once at the web site, click
on:
HMIRS Registration Forms
Download the registration
form, fill it in and then send
it in. You’ll get an email back
with a user ID. Once you have
the ID, you can click on:
Connect to HMIRS
From there, you can search
by stock number, part number,
CAGE code or contract number
for the MSDS you need.
If you have questions about a battery MSDS, email:
AMSEL-SF@mail1.monmouth.army.mil
If you have trouble accessing the web site, contact DLIS:
DLIS-Support@dlis.dla.mil
Or call them at DSN 661-7766 or (877) 352-2255.
Don’t have access to the Internet and need an MSDS in a hurry?
Call DSN 987-7445 or (732) 427-7445.
PP-8498/U SPC…
It’s All About the
Software, Man!
One final word, if you
haven’t switched to
rechargeable batteries, yet.
What are you waiting for—
an engraved invitation?
Well,
this
is your
invite! Rechargeable
batteries are the
future.
Are you still
stuck in the
past?
that’s a
really big
paperweight,
buddy.
that’s my
battery
recharger,
but it doesn’t
work like it
used to.
that’s because you
haven’t updated its
software!
d’Oh!
Using these two pubs
will help you to handle
batteries safely…
698.42-43.indd
1-2
11/30/10
9:40 AM
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