Before you call repair.

Dear Editor,

At Ft Sill we've come up with a couple oF MLRS tips that may save you a call to your repair folks:

* If one boom is working but the other won't, try paralleling both alternators (this works only on the -A1 MLRS). Paralleling the alternators uses current From both the carrier and launcher alternators and batteries and can overcome weak launcher batteries that don't provide enough power For both booms.

To parallel the alternators, go to MENU on the Fire control panel, then VEHICLE OPERATION, then PARALLEL. ALTERNATORS.

Once you Finish operations, check out the MLRS carrier charging system so you don't end up with both booms not working.

Your repairman can verify if the charging system is working by disconnecting the W11 and W33 cables From the power switching unit and checking pins A positive to C negative and B positive to P negative on both cables For 24-28 volts.

If you don't get that voltage on the W11, the secondary generating system is faulty. If the voltage is wrong on the W33, then the primary generating system is bad. Tell your repairman.

* If you power up the -A1 launcher and get UNABLE TO EXECUTE or UNABLE TO READ SOFTWARE or the system boots up in Maintenance Manager, you may not have a problem iF your repairman has been troubleshooting with Maintenance Manager. If you got the UNABLE warnings, try turning off the launcher For 10 seconds and then turning it back on. Everything should work normally.

If the system booted, up in Maintenance Manager, do the normal system power-down procedures if possible. Repeated hard shutdowns can corrupt system software.

SPC Christopher Cluff

SPC Jorge Banuelos

26th Maint Co

Ft Sill, OK

Editor's note: You two are certainly able to execute when it comes to troubleshooting MLRS problems. Thanks.