Re: T&T: Stuffing box (was: Need sump pump switch ideas)
When my engine guy was aligning the shafts on the boat last week, I asked
him about the stuffing box, which was dripping when stopped at a pretty good
clip. He said he wants the stuffing box to run "warm and dry", by which he
meant tight enough not to drip and at perhaps 120-130 degrees.
At the moment we run only about 10 degrees over ambient water, with plenty
of dripping. So we tightened the stuffing box. Does my engine guy's
preference comport with y'alls'?
/afb
While warm and dry is ideal, I have found that it is a very fine line
between "warm and dry" and "hot and burned."
In the Navy, we aimed for a very slow drip at the speed we normally
operated our small boats at.
Rich Gano may be able o add more to this discussion...
Lee
On Sep 10, 2010, at 19:58 , Adam Block wrote:
....
At the moment we run only about 10 degrees over ambient water, with
plenty
of dripping. So we tightened the stuffing box. Does my engine guy's
preference comport with y'alls'?
He said he wants the stuffing box to run "warm and dry", by which he meant
tight enough not to drip and at perhaps 120-130 degrees.
Good question Adam. I guess the answer that you chose to accept is the one
that will conform to the goal that you want to address.
GorTex packing has an upper limit on the temperature that they feel is
accecptable for the stuffing box. I forget what it is, but a call to them will
probably get you a quick answer. Might even be in their web site, if they have
one. But notice this is the maximum acceptable temperature, cooler than that
is quite acceptable, and in my thoughts better. No doubt their "high tech"
stuffing is up to it, but lower temps is probably better for it still. Be a
good question to ask them.
Traditional packing, flax or teflon impregnated, is recommended to run with
about 1 drip per minute and drip at a rate of 0, when stopped, amounts that
if you strive for will cause constant frustration So you are left with a wide
variation, depending on how often the crew wants to adjust the box. More
dripping is okay, with the exception that too much may eventually sink the
boat. No laughing please, I've been call to many boat in the process of
sinking because of dripping stuffing boxes.
Sorry, got side-tracked. This one drip per minute is to assure that the
packing is getting enough water to keep it lubricated and a by product of this
is cool. Not having any water dripping when traditional packing is used would
suggest a much shorter service life from the packing, because the
friction/heat is higher. His temperature guideline may be to suggest that if
it stays within those temps, the packing is getting enough lubrication. Don't
know, just guessing. What I do know, at least in my experience, is if it is
dripping, the temps are low, and I prefer low temps to higher temps.
Personally, I wouldn't run traditional packing without a drip or a couple of
drips. But maybe if you discuss this with your fella, he may mention the "why"
and it might be a good reason, though I've not heard this recommendation
before. If you do, please let us all know.
Rudy
Briney Bug, Panama City, Fl
I posted this a few years back but here it is again. According to a
Gore Tex representative at their headquarters office, the Western
Pacific Trading Gore Tex packing that West Marine sells is a knock off.
The packing that West sells is Gore Tex GFU*. Here is a link:_
Gore Tex's product is named GFO and here is their website that describes
the product:
http://tinyurl.com/33rvpl
*
*The rep referred me to a website that is no longer valid but this one
appears to have the real stuff:
I know several listees have used the West Marine version and are very
satisfied with the results. There is a considerable difference in the
two products. The Western Pacific version resembles conventional packing
and is shaped like rope. The GFO product on the Gore Tex website is very
well formed and almost square. It is enclosed in a braid. You can get an
idea from the pictures.
I am using the GFO packing and my conventional stuffing boxes do not
leak and they only get 10 degrees hotter than their surroundings after a
few hours running.
YMMV
Frank Burrows 43' 1979 Viking MY Piney Narrows Marina Chesapeake Bay
On 9/10/2010 4:39 PM, Rudy and Jill wrote:
He said he wants the stuffing box to run "warm and dry", by which he meant
tight enough not to drip and at perhaps 120-130 degrees.