Packless Sealing System (PSS) Shaft Seal

[tuggertoy]

Has anyone here had any experience with this system? It sounds like a great alternative to a traditional stuffing box.

Moria

 

[rt11002003]

Both systems have their good and bad point. The bad point with the traditional stuffing box is having to adjust it. The bad point with PPS is it is complicated.

When they are working, they're both great!

Gene

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Had it in an earlier boat (Albin 25) didn't like it (didn't trust it?). It was prone to drip (and worse) if it got disturbed while the boat was stationary. Unless I was able to run it in gear to re-set it, the darn thing wouldn't stop leaking. A gradual build-up of salt crystal between the seal surfaces can push them apart and it can start to leak even as it sat in the slip. I also found that it threw a fine mist around the bilge, leaving a film of salt. The thought of a seal holding back a lot of water relying on two spinning carbon disks remaining perfectly mated and aligned by a spinning rubber flex bellows held in place by a spring (also spinning) didn't fill me with confidence. If the previous owner hadn't installedit I never would have.
On a slow turning, slow moving, diesel boat I'd go with the low-tech tried and true packing gland but use the "no-drip" teflon packing rathet than the old wax n' flax.
I recommend you save the big bucks these things cost, and use it to buy a few years of a bit better insurance coverage and some teflon packing.

 

[rt11002003]

I told you the PSS was complicated; I should also have mentioned they might not work well. Thanks SlackwaterJack, saved me the trouble of a long post.

Gene