TO 1-1-700 - Robins Air Force Base

TO 1-1-700
10.9 WATER ENTRAPMENT AREAS AND DRAIN
HOLES.
Drain holes should not be drilled by organizational or
intermediate-level personnel unless authorized by the
equipment System Program Manager (SPM) for the
C-E-M equipment or its protective shelters, vans, and
radomes.
Corrosion is often found in water entrapment areas where
proper drainage does not exist, where drain holes are not provided,
and/or protective coatings are damaged. In many cases,
drain holes located in water entrapment areas are ineffective
either because of improper location or because they are
plugged by sealants, fasteners, dirt, grease, or debris. Ensure
all drain holes are open by inserting a probe, such as a pipe
cleaner. The plugging of a single drain hole or the altering of
the attitude of the equipment can trigger corrosion if salt water
or other corrosives remain for any appreciable length of time
in these entrapment areas. Frequent inspection and cleaning of
low-point drains is a standard requirement. Take care to ensure
that protective coatings remain intact in these areas. Water
may accumulate in these areas following the washing or rinsing
of equipment. If this is a recurring problem, develop procedures
to prevent water accumulation.
10.10 BATTERY COMPARTMENTS AND BATTERY
VENT OPENINGS.
Batteries must be replaced at their prescribed time
change interval to ensure good equipment operation
and to prevent corrosion in the battery compartment
and surrounding areas, sometimes very severe,
caused by the physical breakdown of the battery and
electrolyte leakage.
Batteries are used many times in C-E-M equipment as backup
power source to allow for temporary operation of the equipment
and/or to prevent loss of a computer program when there
is power outage. In spite of protective paint systems, corrosion
preventive compounds, and venting provisions, battery compartments
are high corrosion problem areas (see Figure 10-
10). If corrosion does occur in the battery compartment, consult
Chapter 6 of TO 1-1-689-3, Chapter 7 of TO 1-1-691, and
Chapter 5 of TO 35E4-192-2 for proper treatment procedures.
Figure 10-10. Corroded Battery Compartment
10.11 NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC RUBBER PARTS.
Natural and synthetic rubber are susceptible to attack by fungi,
microbes, ozone, and ultraviolet light; and they deteriorate
rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight. Natural and synthetic
rubber shall not be painted or oiled. As a general rule, grease
should not be applied to rubber parts, but some parts, such as
O rings, require a grease coating (consult the appropriate system
specific maintenance manual). Many types of rubber are
subject to fungus growth (e.g. mold, mildew) which can cause
deterioration of the rubber and corrosion of surrounding metal
surfaces. If fungus and/or bacteria are noted on rubber parts
such as electrical wiring jackets, rubber jacketed cords and
cables, rubber grommets, O rings, etc., clean the parts and
remove the fungus and bacteria per these procedures:
10-9