whistlerxc
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2021
- Messages
- 16
- Vessel Name
- Salish C
- Vessel Make
- 28' Pelagic Trawler
I know this subject is quite well covered in previous threads and I have looked through them but cannot find a situation that is exactly like mine. I have the traditional stuffing box with locking nut and packing housing. I just recently replaced the packing (the new packing is traditional waxed packing) and screwed on the packing nut. I was pleased to see that I did indeed get some drips of water from the stuffing box (after some adjustment when testing the system while in gear at the dock).
However, once out on the water and after 15 minutes or so the temperature of the box is much too hot even though I am getting a decent amount of drips that ordinarily would be enough to cool the shaft.
The old packing was of what I think was the more modern, but now discouraged to use, material that would be susceptible to galvanic corrosion, so I switched to the old fashioned waxed material. Because the new packing was not the same thickness, I added one more ring which completely filled the space available. Could I have packed the packing nut so full that water will get through but not throughout the space and thus the water is not completely 'circulating' throughout the packing nut and thus causing it to over heat? Or could the packing be so tight that the shaft is overheating despite the water?
I was out of the water when I replaced the packing but now that I am in the water I think I will take a chance and open up the packing nut, remove a ring and quickly replace the nut. Hopefully not too much water will come in!
Any thoughts?
However, once out on the water and after 15 minutes or so the temperature of the box is much too hot even though I am getting a decent amount of drips that ordinarily would be enough to cool the shaft.
The old packing was of what I think was the more modern, but now discouraged to use, material that would be susceptible to galvanic corrosion, so I switched to the old fashioned waxed material. Because the new packing was not the same thickness, I added one more ring which completely filled the space available. Could I have packed the packing nut so full that water will get through but not throughout the space and thus the water is not completely 'circulating' throughout the packing nut and thus causing it to over heat? Or could the packing be so tight that the shaft is overheating despite the water?
I was out of the water when I replaced the packing but now that I am in the water I think I will take a chance and open up the packing nut, remove a ring and quickly replace the nut. Hopefully not too much water will come in!
Any thoughts?