PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-729

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 729

AUGUST 2013
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-729 - Page 13 of 33
22
PS 729
AUG 13
M
echanics, on Pages 38-39 of PS 698 (Jan 11), we told you to order the new Army
battery assembly, NSN 6135-01-529-0122, for the AN/APX-118 and AN/APX-123
common transponder.
Since then, the CECOM headshed has
issued a general aviation maintenance action
message
(GEN-13-AMAM-01)
that
says
some of these batteries have reversed polarity
on the battery connector. That’s not good.
If a reversed polarity battery is installed in
either transponder, NSN 5895-01-504-0407
or NSN 5895-01-539-9151, the negative
voltage will cause permanent damage. The
negative voltage will also damage the internal
circuitry used for IdentiFcation ±riend or
±oe (I±±). Those damaged components cost
$15K to replace.
The AMAM requires an inspection of all batteries in stock. The batteries that need
inspection are from Lot WO#160294997 and were manufactured on 17 Aug 12.
However, all battery assemblies in stock prior to 19 Nov 12 should be checked for
reverse polarity just to be safe. All batteries manufactured on or after 19 Nov 2012
were inspected and should be OK.
When you check the battery
assembly wire lead, the black
wire should be connected to the
raised clip key guide side of the
connector. If it isn’t, the battery
is no good. Don’t try to repair the
battery assembly because it can’t
be Fxed.
±or all the speciFc technical
instructions on proper handling
and disposal of bad transponder
batteries
and
other
affected
equipment, check out the good
word
in
GEN-13-AMAM-01.
It’ll tell you how to get your
equipment back in shape and get
a good replacement battery. You
can Fnd the message on the JTDI
website:
https://
XSZ
.jtdi.mil
Once there, click on the 128th tab and then look under the 128th Related Links
column on the left-hand side of the screen. Click on AMCOM Safety and Maintenance
Messages, then log in to the site with AKO or your CAC and click on the Aviation tab.
Check all transponder batteries
for proper wiring
All Aircraft…
Radar Transponder Battery Has issues!
Air Warrior…
New Microclimate
Cooling Vests Available!
On Page 39 of
PS 683 (Oct 09),
we told you
how to wear the
microclimate
cooling garment
(MCG).
That infor-
mation still
stands.
But
now
you need to
know that there is a
third
generation cooling vest
available.
The vest itself has not
changed, but it now comes
with a new connector that
hooks to the aircraft.
Here are the NSNs
and sizes…
01-589-4597
01-589-4604
01-589-4614
Small
Medium
Large
NSN 8415-
Size
inspect me? wh-
what do you need
to inspect me for?
relax…
you’re
probably
fine.
no! no!! not
the battery
graveyard!
hey,
kiddo.
uncle
roscoe?
that you?
sorry,
kid.
you’re
fatally
flawed.
Batteries
Red wire
Black wire
Incorrect wire
Correct wire
Black wire
Red wire
729 22-23.indd
1-2
7/2/13
1:53 PM
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