Gentex PHONETALKER III Manual

Care and Use Instructions
NAVSEA-Approved
Phonetalker Type III Helmet
© 2013 Gentex Corporation

When you replace components or install additional components on
Gentex products, always use genuine factory-new Gentex parts. This
will ensure a correct t and maintain the safety of the product. Use
of non-Gentex parts (salvage, refurbished, etc.) for replacement
or additional installation will void any product warranty and may
compromise the safety of the user.

Contents
FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Helmet Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Retention Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Pad Suspension System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
HELMET FITTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Preventive Maintenance Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
COMPONENT REPLACEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Replacing Chin Strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Replacing Nape Pad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Replacing Retention Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Replacing Pad Suspension Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
PARTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1
PHONETALKER TYPE III HELMET
FEATURES
• Thehelmet(Figure 1)isdesignedtoaccommodatevariousheadsets,
includingsound-poweredheadsetsusedonnavalvessels.
• Inadditiontoprovidingballisticfragmentprotection,thehelmetalso
providesballisticprotectionagainsta9mm124grainFMJatminimum
1400FPSvelocitywhentestedperProductSpecication0902.
• Areducedproleprovidesexpandedupwardandperipheraleldofview
forimprovedsituationalawareness.
• Afour-pointadjustableretentionassembly(withfrontreleasebucklesfor
easyinterfacewithheadsets)providesstabilityandcomfort.
• Thewater-resistantpadsuspensionsystemisdesignedforuniform
compression,asnugt,andcompatibilitywithheadband-styleheadsets.
• Thehelmetisauniversalsizeinlusterlessgraywithablackretention
assembly.
Figure 1. Phonetalker Type III Helmet
Helmet shell
Pad suspension
Retention
assembly

2
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
Helmet Shell
Theballisticcompositehelmetshell(Figure 2)incorporatesstate-of-the-art
materialstoenhanceprotectionwithreducedweight.
Retention Assembly
Theretentionassembly(Figure 2)promotesstabilityandcomfort.Itincludes
anadjustablenapepad,anadjustablechinstrap,andfrontandrearslide
adjustments.Areleasebuckle(onbothfrontstraps)canbefastenedbetween
theheadsetmicrophoneandthewearer’sheadtoaidinproperpositioningofthe
microphone.
Figure 2. Helmet Shell and Retention Assembly
Chin strap
(adjustable)
Nape pad
(adjustable)
Rear slide
adjustments
Release
buckles
Helmet shell

3
Pad Suspension System
Yourhelmetisequippedwithapadsuspensionsystem(Figure 3),which
consistsofasetofeightwater-resistantpadsattachedtohookdisksonthe
insideofthehelmetshell.Thesetcontainstwotrapezoidalpads(oneincenter
frontandoneincenterback),andsixoblongpads.
Inthestandardpadconguration,thetwooblongpadsinthecrown(top)ofthe
helmetareplacedclosetogether.Inanalternateconguration,thesetwopads
canbespaced1½to1¾inchesaparttoaccommodateaheadset.
The05D11950-5pads(¾inchthick)areinstalled.The05D11950-6pads(1inch
thick)areoptional.Thedifferencesinthicknessallowforpropert.
Figure 3. Pad Suspension System
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
STANDARD CONFIGURATION ALTERNATE CONFIGURATION
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
1½ to 1¾ inches
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
The helmet is impact-qualied using the standard pad conguration.
This pad conguration provides the required impact protection at all
required impact sites. Alternate pad congurations may not provide
optimal protection at all required impact sites.

4
HELMET FITTING
1. Ifnecessary,spacethe
twooblongpadsinthe
crown(top)ofthehelmet
1½to1¾inchesapart
toaccommodatethe
headset.
2. Donandadjustthe
headsetaccordingtothe
headsetinstructions.
3. Donthehelmetover
theheadsetanddothe
following:
a. Onthesideofthe
helmetclosesttothe
headsetmicrophone,
unfastenthefrontstrap
buckle(Figure 4).
b. Positionthefront
strapbehindthe
microphone,and
fastenthefrontstrap
buckle(Figure 5).
c. Ifnecessary,unfasten,
reposition,andfasten
theotherfrontstrap
forproperinterface
withtheheadset.
d. Leavethechinstrap
unfastenedfornow.
(Continued on next page)
Figure 4. Front Strap Unfastened
Figure 5. Front Strap Behind Microphone
Ensure that all helmet adjustment mechanisms are properly adjusted
for a snug, secure t at all times when the helmet is worn. Failure to do
so can result in an unstable helmet that will not protect the wearer.
Front strap
buckle fastened
Chin
strap
Front strap
Front strap
buckle
unfastened
Front strap

5
4. Allowthehelmettosettleontheheadforafewminutesbeforecheckingthe
heightofthehelmetonthehead.Ensurethatthefrontedgeofthehelmetis
positionedjustabovetheeyebrows.Ifitisnot,dooneofthefollowing:
• Ifthe1-inch-thickpadsareinstalledandthehelmetistoohigh,remove
the1-inch-thickpadsandinstallthe¾-inch-thickpadsasshownin
Figure 6.Ensurethatthepadsarermlyattachedtothehookdisks.
• Ifthe¾-inch-thickpadsareinstalledandthehelmetistoolow,remove
the¾-inch-thickpadsandinstallthe1-inch-thickpadsasshownin
Figure 6.Ensurethatthepadsarermlyattachedtothehookdisks.
(Continued on next page)
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
STANDARD CONFIGURATION ALTERNATE CONFIGURATION
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
1½ to 1¾ inches
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
Figure 6. Pad Suspension System
The helmet is impact-qualied using the standard pad conguration.
This pad conguration provides the required impact protection at all
required impact sites. Alternate pad congurations may not provide
optimal protection at all required impact sites.

6
5. ReferringtoFigure 7,dothefollowing:
a. Bucklethechinstrap.
b. Adjustthenapepadforasnug,secure,comfortabletatthenapeby
movingthetworearslideadjustments.
c. Tightenthechinstrapbypullingontheendsuntilthetissnug,secure,
andcomfortable.Reattachtheendstothepilefastenerwhenthedesired
tisattained.
(Continued on next page)
Figure 7. Chin Strap and Slide Adjustment
End of chin strap
(both sides)
Chin strap buckle
Rear slide
adjustment
(both sides)
Pile fastener

7
6. ReferringtoFigure 8,dothefollowing:
a. Ifthefrontretentionstrapsseemtoolongortooshort,adjustthestraps
bypullingthemupordownasneeded.
b. Ifnecessary,repositionthenapepadbyslidingitupordownthestraps.
7. Checkthehelmetstabilitybyattemptingtorockthehelmetbackandforthon
thehead.Ifthehelmetrocksbackandforth,itisnotstable.Adjustthenape
padfurtheruntilthehelmetisstable.
8. RepeatSteps1through7asnecessary.Recheckhelmetstability;nostraps
shouldbeloose.
9. Todoffthehelmet,unbucklethechinstrapandthefrontstraps.
Figure 8. Adjusting Front Straps and Nape Pad
Front strap
(both sides)
Repositioning nape pad Nape
pad

8
MAINTENANCE
Maintenancetasksincludepreventivemaintenancechecks,cleaning,and
troubleshooting.
Preventive Maintenance Checks
Performpreventivemaintenancebeforeandafterusingthehelmet.Forhelmets
thathavenotbeenused,performpreventivemaintenanceonceayear.Table 1
liststhepreventivemaintenancetasksforeachcomponentandrefersyoutothe
appropriateprocedure.
Table 1. Preventive Maintenance Checks
COMPONENT EXAMINE FOR:HELMET IS NOT READY IF:
Chin strap Brokenbuckles;tornor
frayedwebbing,worn
hook/pilefasteners
Bucklesarebroken;webbingis
tornorfrayed;hook/pilefasteners
donotsecure
Pads Wornhook/pilefasteners
orfoam;tornfabricor
seams
Hook/pilefastenersorfoamare
worn;fabricorseamsaretorn
Retention
Assembly Torn/frayedwebbing;
brokennapestrap
buckles;wornnapepad;
wornbucklepad
Webbingistornorfrayed;nape
strapbucklesarebroken;nape
padisworn;bucklepadisworn
Helmet Shell Holes,cracks,or
delaminationsgreater
than2inches
Helmetshellhasholes,cracks,
ordelaminationsgreaterthan2
inches
Cleaning
Cleanthehelmetasneeded.Table 2liststhecleaningprocedureforeachofthe
helmetcomponents.
Table 2. Cleaning
COMPONENT PROCEDURE
Helmet Shell Wipecleanwithdampcloth.
Leather Components Cleanwithsoap,rinsethoroughly,wipedrywith
cleancloth.
Retention Assembly Wipecleanwithdampcloth.
Pads Hand-washormachine-washwithmilddetergentin
coldwater.Allowtoair-dry.Do not machine-dry.

9
Troubleshooting
Listedbelowarethetroubleshootingtasksforeachcomponent,alongwiththe
appropriaterepairprocedure.
1. Malfunction: Unable to fasten or adjust chin strap

 Test/Inspection: Inspectchinstrapfordefectivewebbing,buckles,or
  hook/pilefasteners.

 CorrectiveAction: ReplacechinstrapasonPage10.
2. Malfunction: Unable to attain/maintain helmet stability

 Test/Inspection: Inspectretentionassemblyfordefectivebuckles,
  wornbucklepads,torn/frayedwebbing,orwornnape
  pad.

 CorrectiveAction: ReplacenapepadasonPage11,orreplace
  retentionassemblyasonPage12.
3. Malfunction: Helmet shell appears damaged.
 Test/Inspection: Inspecthelmetshellforholesorcracks.

 CorrectiveAction: Obtainnewhelmet.
NOTE:Thehelmetshellhasausefullifeofapproximately15years.

10
COMPONENT REPLACEMENT
Replaceablecomponentsincludethechinstrap,thenapepad,theretention
assembly,andthepadsuspensionassembly.
Replacing Chin Strap
Removal
1. ReferringtoFigure 9,unfastenthechinstrapbuckleontheleftside(as
worn)oftheretentionassembly.
2. Unlacethechinstrapfromtherightside(asworn)oftheretentionassembly.
Installation
1. Lacethereplacementchinstrapthroughthebuckleontherightside(as
worn)oftheretentionassembly.
2. Donthehelmet.Fastenthechinstraptothebuckleontheleftside(asworn)
oftheretentionassembly.
3. CheckthehelmettinaccordancewithHELMET FITTING,beginningon
Page4.Makeanynecessaryadjustments.
Figure 9. Chin Strap
Lace/unlace
Fasten/unfasten
RIGHT SIDE (AS WORN)
Chin strap

11
Replacing Nape Pad
Removal
1. ReferringtoFigure 10,removethe
rearpadsasnecessarytoreachthe
attachinghardwareoftheretention
assemblyontheinsideofthe
helmet,notingpadposition.
2. ReferringtoFigure 11,removethe
tworearscrewsandnutsattaching
therearretentionassemblystraps
tothehelmet.
3. Removethestrapsfromthenape
pad.
Installation
1. ReferringtoFigure 12,installthe
replacementnapepadasfollows:
a. Inserttheleftrearstrapthrough
thebottomleftopeninginthe
napepad,andthenthroughthe
toprightopening.
b. Inserttherightrearstrap
throughthebottomrightopening
ofthenapepad,andthen
throughthetopleftopening.
2. ReferringtoFigure 11,reattachthe
retentionstrapstotherearofthe
helmetwiththetworearscrewsand
nutsyouremovedpreviously.
3. ReferringtoFigure 10,reinstall
therearpadsinthepositionsfrom
whichtheywereremoved.
4. Checkthehelmettinaccordance
withHELMET FITTING,
beginningonPage4.Makeany
necessaryadjustments.
Figure 10. Pads to Remove
Figure 12. Nape Pad and Straps
Rear pad Rear pad
Screw
Screw
Nape pad
Nut
Figure 11. Rear Hardware

12
Replacing Retention Assembly
Removal
1. ReferringtoFigure
13,removethe
frontandrearpads
asnecessaryto
reachtheattaching
hardwareofthe
retentionassembly
ontheinsideofthe
helmet,notingthe
positionofthepads.
2. ReferringtoFigure
14,removethe
fourscrewsand
nutsattachingthe
retentionassembly
tothehelmet.
Installation
1. Installthe
replacement
retentionassembly
withthescrewsand
nuts.
2. Reinstallthefront
andrearpadsinthe
positionsfromwhich
theywereremoved.
3. Donthehelmet,
andcheckthet
inaccordancewith
HELMET FITTING,
beginningon
Page4.Make
anynecessary
adjustments.
Figure 13. Pads to Remove
Figure 14. Retention Assembly Hardware
Rear pad Rear pad
Screw
Screws
Nut
Retention strap INSIDE VIEW
OF HELMET

13
Replacing Pad Suspension Assembly
Removal
ReferringtoFigure 15,removethepadsfromthehelmet,notingtheirposition
andorientationinthehelmet.Alsonotethepadthickness(05C11950-5is¾inch
thick;05C11950-6is1inchthick).
Installation
1. ReferringtoFigure 15,installthereplacementpads(ofthesamethickness)
inthehelmet.Ensurethatthepadsarermlyattachedtothehookdisks.
2. Donthehelmet,andcheckthetinaccordancewithHELMET FITTING,
beginningonPage4.Makeanynecessaryadjustments.
Figure 15. Pad Suspension System
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
STANDARD CONFIGURATION ALTERNATE CONFIGURATION
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Trapezoidal pad
1½ to 1¾ inches
Oblong pad Oblong pad Trapezoidal pad
Oblong pad Oblong pad
Hook disk
Oblong
pads
(crown)
The helmet is impact-qualied using the standard pad conguration.
This pad conguration provides the required impact protection at all
required impact sites. Alternate pad congurations may not provide
optimal protection at all required impact sites.

14
PARTS LIST
BelowisapartslistforthePhonetalkerTypeIIIHelmet.Thepartslist
correspondstothecomponentsshowninFigure 16.
Formoreinformation,contactGentexCorporation,P.O.Box315,Carbondale,PA
18407,phone[phone],fax[phone],www.gentexcorp.com.
NAVSEA-Approved Phonetalker Type III Helmet
Gentex part number A13627-3L3
National Stock Number (NSN) 8470-01-592-5765
ITEM COMPONENT QTY. PART NUMBER
1Helmetshell,lusterlessgray 1 A13245-4
2Retentionassembly,black 1 A13755-3
3Padsuspension,¾inchthick(installed) 1 C11950-5
Padsuspension,1inchthick 1 C11950-6
4Screw,shoulder 4 B12190-1
5Nut,conic 4 B11815-1
InstructionBooklet 1 TP0360
Figure 16. Phonetalker Type III Helmet
1
3
2
4
5

TP0360 REV. 1 MARCH 2013