andym

Robin - Here's a couple of useful links - I won't post the actual documents for Copyright reasons: http://www.cerdec.army.mil/directorates/docs/c2d/TB9_6140_252_13.pdf http://www.enersys.com/defense/documents/Tank-manual.pdf I had a very interesting chat with one of Hawker's engineers a couple of months back, and although it has a different NSN and no vents, the US battery is identical internally to the UK ones. Andy

Sorry for any confusion - a fully automatic box with four forward and one reverse gear! Andy

The US DOD have experienced lots of trouble with maintenance of these batteries due to failure of people to understand them. That's why there's a lot of helpful material on the 'net - if you know to look for "Armasafe"! Andy

If they're Hawker batteries (as I suspect they are), make sure you use a charger designed for AGM type batteries, not one intended for mainstream flooded cell lead-acid units. These aren't conventional lead-acid batteries! I'd recommend chargers manufactured by Pulsetech, which are in use by both the MOD and DOD. With the number of batteries you have something like the twin version of the Extreme charger would be good unless you want to splash out for something more comprehensive. Rotate the charger round the batteries once a week and check the OCVs of the off-charge units just to be sure. The US refer to these batteries as "Armasafe" - there's a lot of useful info, including PDF manuals, around if you Google for it. Andy

In theory you should be able to modify an existing 430 to Bulldog spec as it was originally designed to be carried out as a field workshop conversion. It was only when they decided to return them to Bovington for conversion that the extra opening appeared in the front hatch to improve access. Note that in a Bulldog the "pack" is now just the engine and transfer box as the gearbox sits where the original steering unit was. Apparently the gearbox has to be dropped in through the engine hatch and then pulled forward into position. Bulldogs also have their 432 final drives replaced with the lower ratio 433/434 units. They're electronically governed to 42 mph for safety and track wear reasons, I was told they managed nearly 60 mph in trials! And Chas yes, four forward gears, one reverse. Andy

I'd suggest that (1) and (2) are connected (literally) - sounds like you've got a leak in the heat exchanger? Andy

That must be the first time I've seen one with the cover on! :cool2: Andy

The Bulldogs are diesel only, so don't feed them contam! Andy

I think you'll find it's a "my filter needs changing" light! :-D (And I'm confused about the filler too, but I've only got a line drawing to go from). Andy

I don't know about the Stormer, but on the 432 just disconnect the battery lead from the Radio Distribution Box to make things safe. Mine had been running with the radio (and ventilation) batteries missing when I got it. Andy

Welcome! Andy

I'm confused about "the pedal doesn't do anything" bit. Are you saying the pedal isn't moving the governor linkage, or it's moving but it isn't doing anything? You might also like to check that the emergency stop cable isn't stuck? Andy

That's as I understand it, but MOD itself has had a dose of indecision regarding "Mk 3" and "Bulldog". What they are currently saying is that an FV432 Mk 3 is now a Bulldog 2, an FV434 Mk 3 is now a Bulldog 4, etc, etc ... Andy

Paul - I think my previous reply to this vanished in the ether ... Are you saying it was OK before you changed the pack? If so, it sounds like the new pack has a duff alternator or the rectifier stack in the oil tank is shot. What voltage have you got across the batteries when the engine is running? Andy

Merry Christmas to all, especially those working today! Andy

That's probably a good suggestion if you don't have access to the original installation media. Just check that your printer and any other devices you've got attached to the PC have Windows 7 drivers available, though! Andy

Where's that from, out of interest Adrian? Andy

Thanks for that, and the video is brilliant. It's amazing to see that people still think that applying more revs will solve the problem! Andy

That's amazingly well preserved. If it hadn't been inverted for all that time you could almost imagine taking along a set of batteries just to see what would happen .... Andy

Has anyone mentioned the "Korean" FV432/30s in the opening sequence of Salt? Sharkey, are they some of yours? :-) Andy

The armaments depot at Priddy's Hard near Gosport used to have a similar arrangement where you could wander in and freely play with their extensive small arms collection. Unfortunately now that it's open to the public as the Explosion! museum they've had to remove them all ... :cry: Andy

That raises a question that I was going to ask anyway. Just how good (or otherwise) is a tracked vehicle on ice and snow - better or worse than a 4x4? Logic suggests that on sheet ice it would just slide around, but for patchy coverage there should be some grip somewhere along the track length provided you can keep it pointed in the right direction. I'd appreciate advice from anyone who's actually tried it! Andy

What Neil said, but make absolutely sure you've got rid of all vestiges of the virus before you start. Remove the printer drivers, switch off the PC, unplug the printer, then switch on the PC and re-install the printer. Note that some printers, particularly those made by HP, are sensitive to the order in which you do things, so go back to the original instructions. Andy

... such a thoroughly nice bunch of people? :kiss: Andy

From the Illustrated Parts Catalogue for CVR(T), 1095-99-820-5398 is Cap, Discharger, Smoke Grenade; Rubber, 3in OD x 0.060in Nom Wall Thick. Note that this is for a No.12 Mk 2 launcher, but there also seem to be Mk 1s mentioned. Perhaps both types have been fitted but the cap only fits the Mk 2? Andy