stuffing box

barfwinkle · Jun 4, 2010

Jack said:
I believe that there should be about 2 to 4 drips per minute when the shaft is spinning. 1st is that correct? If so how the heck do you see that when the shaft is spinning? It seems that if it is dripping correctly the shaft just shoots the drip to the sides of the bilge and i can't see a 'drip'. The stuffing box is cool to the touch when we are motoring so i am hoping that the shaft is not suffering.
So...how does one check for the proper drip?
any and all guidance is always apprecieated.
jack

The shaft drips are easily seen as they drip from the coupler and not the spinning shaft itself! At least that's how it works on Rhapsody.

Fair Winds

Ken13559 · Jun 4, 2010

if there's water coming through but not at alarming rate and packing gland is not hot, just lightly warm or cool, it should be ok. I believe 2-4 dips/min is a guide not spec.

Deadline · Jun 4, 2010

Old wives tale. My Yanmar mechanic said to tighten it sufficiently so it doesn't drip, and lock it in with the thinner brass nut.

Rick · Jun 4, 2010

What is the old wives tale? Drip or no drip. The graphite flax affords tightening a traditional stuffing box more than traditional flax however... did you mean drip free?

Cheers

Beechjetdriver · Jun 4, 2010

Jack said:
I believe that there should be about 2 to 4 drips per minute when the shaft is spinning. 1st is that correct? If so how the heck do you see that when the shaft is spinning? It seems that if it is dripping correctly the shaft just shoots the drip to the sides of the bilge and i can't see a 'drip'. The stuffing box is cool to the touch when we are motoring so i am hoping that the shaft is not suffering.
So...how does one check for the proper drip?
any and all guidance is always apprecieated.
jack

jdgrnt66 showed me a novel way to check mine at the dock. I run the engine at low forward. With one crew remaining topside (for safety), I count the number of drips, and try to keep the stuffing box adjusted so I'm getting two drops per minute.

It's easy to see the drops at this low power setting, as opposed to when you're motoring at 90 percent power.

When the engine is off and cool, the stuffing box doesn't drip at all.

Now the only water in my bilge is a little fresh water from the air conditioner condensate. I plan on installing a couple of Mermaid condensators (one for each AC unit) to take care of that water, so I can have a completely dry bilge.

Scott B · Jun 11, 2010

I have four-way tie-off to the dock, so just put it in low forward and go check the shaft.

If you want evidence that its not an old wives tale, just check out Maine Sail's pics of ruined shafts.