So How Does Actually Observe/Count Drips Per Minute?

[rardiH36]

Stuffing box tutorials instruct to adjust the barrel nut to achieve several "drips" per minute.

But since my prop shaft slopes downward towards the prop, water entering through the stuffing box runs backwards underneath the shaft log and can't be observed. And/or while the shaft is spinning while motoring, won't the small amount of entering water be cast away by the centrifugal force effect?

So how does one "count" drips in the confined unobservable space under the stuffing box and shaft log?

 

[Benny17441]

The count of the number of drips is not that critical. What it is important is that water is dripping to cool the junction where the spinning shaft and the flex meet. Observing evidence of a water drip and feeling the stuffing box temperature are adequate indicators. If the drip is excessive you will notice as puddles will form and/or water will spray with the turning of the shaft.

 

[rardiH36]

Benny: Thanks. Makes good sense. I don't know why the "tutorials" generally include something like "1 drip per minute at the dock and 5 drops per minute while the engine is running" when in fact the owner has no real way of observing ... unless he/she might have full keel older design boat that has the engine way down below the waterline and the shaft exits horizontally like below.

In the absence of any other info, I guess that your suggestion might have been my default course of action.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Why rely on such a difficult metric?

Buy one of the these for about $20 http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products...qid=1403636062&sr=8-1&keywords=ir+thermometer

And monitoring the heat increase based on the tolerance of the product you use. Traditional stuffing material should be adjusted so you have no more than a 15-20 degree increase and while products like the GFO can handle temps up to 125-130 degrees.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Rar,

On your next haulout, you may want to consider a waterless shaft seal. In my case, green water should stay outside the hull. I got tired of repacking & adjusting always only to have saltwater in my bilge. Now, my only problem is dust in the bilge.

CR