High-pressure water, yes or no?Dear Half-Mast, When cleaning our M1A1 tank after a field exercise, we've been told it's OK to use high-pressure water by some folks, while others say it's definitely off limits. Can you give us the real low-down? SSG SSG abbr. staff sergeant P.S.J., Dear Sergeant P.S.J., Sure can. The answer is yes ... and no. Some parts of the tank are off limits while others are OK for high-pressure water or steam. Let me explain. Inside the Turret You should never use high-pressure water or steam inside the turret or driver's station. It forces water inside high dollar line replaceable unit (LRU LRU - Least Recently Used ) components. The water creates electrical shorts, corrodes connectors and receptacles, ruins circuit cards and generally causes all kinds of expensive havoc. If the inside of your turret needs cleaning, use a nylon bristle bristle 1. the thick strong animal fibers collected at commercial abattoirs for use in brushes. 2. the sharp serrated awns of grass and some cereal seeds that confer a capacity to penetrate normal skin and mucosa and to cause ulcerative stomatitis, grass seed abscess and the like. brush and a bucket of soapy water to clean it. Rinse with clean water from a bucket and make sure the drain valves are open so water can drain out of the hull. Don't use the brush on Verb 1. brush on - apply with a brush; "Brush butter on the roast" coat, surface - put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface; "coat the cake with chocolate" electrical components. Instead, wipe the down with a damp--not soaking wet--cloth. Be careful not to get water into electrical connectors. See Step 12 under Cleaning and Lubrication lubrication, introduction of a substance between the contact surfaces of moving parts to reduce friction and to dissipate heat. A lubricant may be oil, grease, graphite, or any substance—gas, liquid, semisolid, or solid—that permits free action of in your -10-1 TM's PMCS PMCS PMC Sierra (stock symbol) PMCS Project Management Control System PMCS partial mission-capable, supply (US DoD) PMCS Preventive Maintenance Checks & Services PMCS Professional Military Comptroller School for more information. Outside the Turret It's OK to clean the outside of the tank with steam or water as long as you follow the precautions spelled out in Step 13 under Cleaning and Lubrication in your -10-1 TM's PMCS. Pay special attention to Item 13e, which says to close all open hatches, grilles, and access doors. Although not specifically stated, this means you should also activate the turret's inflatable seal to protect the race ring from water damage. An uninflated seal allows water, dirt and other contaminants to be forced inside the race ring. Grease is washed away and corrosion starts. That leads to damage to the springs, ball bearings, and race ring. The inflatable seal is found on most M1 and M1A1 tanks and on some M1A2 tanks. If your tank doesn't have the seal, do not use high-pressure water or steam around the race ring area. Don't forget to grease the race ring monthly with WTR WTR Water WTR Writer WTR Wait To Restore WTR Wireless Technology Research WTR Walker, Texas Ranger (TV show) WTR Western Test Range WTR With-The-Rule Astigmatism WTR Working Time Regulation (UK) , too. That keeps corrosion away and the race ring turning smoothly. Half-Mast |
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