Dripless shaft seal

[arthurn]

Thinking about switching out my PSS dripless shaft seal to a self aligning shaft seal from RE Thomas.
Self-aligning Shaft Seal | ISB-SA Combo w/Bearing - R.E. Thomas Marine Hardware

Anybody have any experience with this shaft seal?

Arthur

 

[READY]

No experience yet but my new to me GL33 has a thrust bearing which might be pretty similar. My surveyor said it was quite an upgrade. He said it more or less eliminated any concern about engine alignment. I need to do more research on the topic but it should be a significant upgrade for you.

 

[Don L]

No experience with that one, but changed from "dripless" seal to standard packed stuffing boxes with modern packing and never regretted it.

 

[CharlieO.]

I did not use that product, but did go through R.E. Thomas for my replacement shaft tube, bearings and stuffing box project. All top-notch products and very easy to work with and the communication was excellent. I highly recommend working with them due to my positive experience.

Below link has the pictures of the products they sent to me.
Some of the products they remachined my take-off parts to work within my budget.

New Shaft Log Tube and Parts

Here is my new fiberglass log with an additional cutlass bearing on the transmission side. New stern cutlass bearing and housing. New packing assembly. Machined existing inner support, it previously had the stainless tube threaded into the backside. Now it serves as a support with two set screws...

www.trawlerforum.com

 

[lwarden]

Hmm, I'm trying to figure out how this is different from a traditional stuffing box. I see the flange version appears to have a rubber cutlass bearing but does the tube style have one as well? I'm following this since I plan to make a change from the PSS on my boat during the next haulout since I just can't seem to get one of them to stop spraying water all over.

 

[arthurn]

I'm know expert but what I understand this system combines a cutlass bearing to support the shaft. The shaft seal then doesn't have to support the weight of the shaft and because of the rubber hose connecting the seal to the stern tube it is self aligning.

 

[CharlieO.]

That’s what I liked about the replacement set up they came up with. Originally just had one cutless bearing at the stern, but they added one on the inboard end of the new tube.
It is definitely worth calling them and discussing what you want to do.