PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-727
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 727
JUNE 2013
41
PS 727
JUN 13
Dear Editor,
Through hard experience, we’ve found this advice will make life so much
easier for improved target acquisition system (ITAS) units:
Develop a battery charging program.
The ITAS is powered by the lithium-ion power source, which consists of
the lithium battery box (LBB) and two chargers: the lithium AC charger
(LIAC) for dismounted charging and the vehicle-mounted charger.
If the LBB is properly
maintained, it can power
ITAS for at least 14.5
hours. But if it’s not
charged as a regular
part of operations and
during monthly PMCS
as spelled out in TM
9-1425-923-10,
it
can become more and
more difficult to fully
charge or even become
inoperable. That’s why
it’s critical crews follow
the charging directions
in the -10 and keep all
LBBs charged.
If you’re storing LBBs for longer than 30 days, develop a charging plan
to ensure each battery is fully re-charged at least every 90 days. (If a
battery hasn’t been charged for more than 30 days, it may take longer to
fully charge it.)
Remember once the BAT, ELEC fault light comes on, it’s too late. The
battery can’t be charged. You must get it replaced and that’s expensive.
All LBBs must be shipped to depot for repair.
Store LBBs in as cool a place as possible.
Heat can reduce cell life. But if you keep the LBB charged, it will provide
needed power at all temperatures.
Remove target acquisition subsystem (TAS) monthly
and clean the Stryker mount.
If the TAS is left
mounted
for
long
periods, corrosion can
form on the mount’s
rails
and
make
it
extremely
difficult
to remove the TAS
without damaging the
TAS or mount. That
won’t be a problem if
you
monthly
remove
the TAS and clean the
mount rails and the
TAS shoes.
Keep motion gyro switch in GYRO when operating the
modified improved target acquisition system (MITAS).
If the switch is left in
BASIC, the gunner’s ability
to scan, detect and track
targets smoothly will be
decreased. If there is a
drift in the system in AZ
or EL without any gunner
input, the gyro and motor
drive need to be “nulled”
(or synched). Hold the
gyro switch up until the
motion
gyro
illuminator
blinks, which means the
gyro and motor drive are
nulled. Then verify without
gunner input that there is
no drift in the system.
CW3 Joseph Peoples
B Co, 501st BSB
Ft Bliss, TX
Editor’s note:
The ITASes will
be much better off if units follow
your directions, Chief. Thanks.
Clean Stryker mount and
TAS shoes on a regular basis
MOTION GYRO READY should
be in GYRO when operating
hey, yo! my
Itas battery
is
weak!
just
loOk
at it,
wouldja!?
ya GoTta do
some serious
charging
before you go
running off!
Itas
help
right
here,
right now!
thanks to
ft bliss!
727 40-41.indd
1-2
4/22/13
5:58 PM
Click here for a copy of this article to save or email.
Back to TopBack to Top
