PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-734

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 734

JANUARY 2014
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-734 - Page 9 of 33
14
PS 734
JAN 14
Testing
You need to test your VRLA battery before installing it in a vehicle
and
before
turning it in as unserviceable.
To get an accurate reading of the battery’s health, fully charge it before testing. There
are several tools you can use to test the VRLA battery: A voltage meter, a load tester or
a conductance tester (digital battery tester-analyzer).
Voltage meters are found in the SATS, shop equipment contact maintenance
(SECM), NSN 4910-01-016-2262; forward repair system (FRS), NSN 4940-01-533-
1621 and NSN 4940-01-463-7940; and the ±eld maintenance module 1, NSN 4910-01-
501-7342. The multimeter will allow you to conduct an open circuit voltage (OCV) test
of the battery. If the OCV is below 12.65V, recharge the battery and test again.
Load tester, NSN 6130-01-447-7294, indicates the battery’s ability to hold its
voltage while under load. You’ll ±nd the load tester in the FRS. Make sure you read
the operator’s manual before using the load testers. Batteries should be fully charged
before, and must be recharged after, using a load tester.
Finally,
490PT
or
equivalent
conductance testers, NSN 6130-
01-510-9594,
are
found
in
the
SATS and the FRS. The testers are
very sensitive and can ±nd defects
or battery weaknesses long before
any problem or capacity loss shows
up. This simple-to-use tester has a
digital menu screen that allows
you to check battery voltage, cold
cranking amps and condition of
the battery. There’s no recharge
required after testing with this type
of meter.
The Unit Training Assistance
Program (UTAP) at TACOM LCMC
has vehicle recovery Excel spreadsheets
that can ±gure out MAs in minutes.
This saves time and improves safety
by ending guesswork and reducing the
odds of miscalculation. Spreadsheets
are available on the following pieces of
equipment and forces:
•±
Load transfer formula for the fifth
wheel towing and recovery device
(FWTRD)
•±
Wheeled vehicle recovery
•±
Tracked vehicle recovery
•±
Deadline force
•±
Ground compression factors
•±
Safe towing capacity for the MRV
•±
Sling leg force
•±
Difference between simple and
compound rigging systems.
You can get these formula
spreadsheets in the Library of TACOM
Training Information Site (LOTTIS) by
grabbing your CAC and going to:
Then:
•±
Click on the Army tab
•±
Click on Vehicle Recovery
Formulated Spreadsheets
•±
Click on Vehicle Recovery
Spreadsheets
•±
Click on Vehicle Rigging
•±
Click on Supplemental System Files.
Files can be downloaded to your
personal computer or Maintenance
Service Device (MSD). If you have any
questions, contact UTAP at DSN 786-
4276, 586-282-4276, or email:
usarmy.detroit.tacom.mbx.
ilsc-utap@mail.mil
UTAP Makes Vehicle
Recovery a
S
N
A
P
!
Before you
charge or
test the VRLA
battery, eyeball
TB 9-6140-252-
13,
Recharging
Procedures
for Automotive
Valve Regulated
Lead-Acid
Batteries,
(Sep
11), and follow
the prescribed
guidance.
490PT conductance tester,
Training…
UTAP Makes Vehicle
Recovery a
S
N
A
P
!
You no longer have
to scramble to
find a pad, pencil
and eraser to
calculate mechanical
advantages (MAs).
Good news,
vehicle
recovery
specialists.
Hey!
where
are you
going!?
I gotta
find a pad, a
pencil and an
eraser so I
can help you
out!
734 14-15.indd
1-2
11/25/13
12:07 PM
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