PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-712
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 712
MARCH 2012
56
PS 712
MAR 12
Before Connecting
Lunette Trailers…
Electronics…
Before installing cables, take a close
look at the connectors and receptacles for
dirt and corrosion. Loose dirt can usually
be blown out with the help of an air hose.
Stubborn dirt can be a little tougher.
Try clipping off all but about
1
/
2
inch
of the bristles on an acid swabbing
brush, NSN 7920-00-514-2417. The
shorter bristles make them stiff enough
to brush dirt out of the connector and
around the outside of the receptacle.
To remove corrosion, try spraying
a light coat of corrosion preventive
compound, NSN 8030-00-546-8637,
and scrubbing with that short-bristled
acid swabbing brush. The compound
also
displaces
water,
which
should
help prevent further corrosion down
the road.
Check cable connector for
dirt and corrosion and…
Clean out
dirt with
modified
brush
…check
receptacle,
too!
I pulled
you over
because you
were driving
without
brake lights.
{
sniff sniff
}
that’s because
my cable is
worn
out
from
dragging…
please
don’t
give me a ticket!
able
are
aution
C
S
oldiers and their commanders often want their equipment to look bright and shiny
for inspections. To achieve that goal, they often employ high-pressure water or steam
or take the equipment through wash racks.
That’s usually not a bright idea. The cost of a bright, shiny appearance can be
many thousands of dollars of ruined electronics equipment.
Most electrical components—like a SINCGARS radio or the MLRS’s electronics
unit—are built to be
water-resistant.
That means they can survive rain and
humidity as long as their gaskets are in good shape. But these gaskets are deFnitely
not designed to seal out high-pressure water. The water pushes past their seals and
soon shorts and corrosion start doing their worst. An item like the Patriot’s data link
terminal module can cost many, many dollars to replace.
So is that bright, shiny appearance worth it? No.
And when your commander gets the bill, he
deFnitely won’t think it’s worth it.
As a general rule, don’t use high-pressure
water above wheel or track level on wheeled
vehicles, tanks and trailers that have electronic
gear. Check with the equipment’s -10 TM to
see if it’s OK to run a truck or tracked vehicle
through the wash rack. Sometimes it is OK, as
long as you cover electronic components Frst.
Never use any hose inside a vehicle or van.
Bright Isn’t
Always Beautiful
Bright Isn’t
Always Beautiful
if cleaning needs to be
done, use a bucket of soapy
water and a brush or mop.
now that’s a
bright
idea!
time to
knock that
dirt off you
and make
you look
bright
and
shiny!
whoa!
keep away from
me with that
high-pressure
water hose.
you’ll
knock out
my
electronics!
I can’t afford
that cleaning
expense!
get a
mop
and a
bucket
of water to
clean me!
712 56-57.indd
1-2
1/31/12
10:34 AM
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