stuffing tube EXPLOSION

[lv_reefer]

First time poster here... Cant wait to here from you all.
Back story: This was the maiden voyage of my DF 22 Vortex Hydro. It's running a 3655 motor and a 3517 cnc prop with a .130 flex it had teflon tube and I've ALWAYS since I've been boating used Grim Racer Speed Grease... This is my 6th boat and first 100% self built setup (I love this boat )

Questions: Has ANYONE had this happen? What happened? How do I fix the brass stuffing tube? Should and how do I do away with the teflon tube?

SAM_2141.jpgSAM_2142.jpg

[Basstronics]

If you used JB Weld where it goes thru the hull its going to be a little more difficult (I use Epoxy here).

I think your flex was to small. .150 would be the better choice. Judging by OSE's recommendations just replace that stuffing tube with the same size, up it to .150 cable and call it a day. If you want to get fancy order the next size brass tube and make it so the stuffing tube is easily replaced by epoxying in a short piece thru the hull.

Suggested stuffing tube sizes when used "WITH NO" Teflon tubing:
5/32" brass for .098 Flex Cable.
3/16" brass for .130 Flex Cable.
7/32" brass for .150 Flex Cable.
1/4" brass for .187 Flex Cable.
5/16" brass for .250 Flex Cable

[kendt]

I had something like that happen. I had a collet on the shaft to keep it from falling out if the collet let go. It was off balance kjust enough to cause my shaft and tube to self destruct. If you cut your tube close to the hull with a dremel. You should be able to heat it with your soldering iron to soften the epoxy and yank it out.

[lv_reefer]

How fast does the flex shaft wear the stuffing tube? I know this is a heated debate but what grease are you other guys running with no teflon?

[lv_reefer]

Kendt that's a good idea with the soldering iron. Any thoughts on a repair rather than a replace?

[antslake]

Something could have been binding at the other end and put more stress on the flex, which made it knot up. Go heavier. Mine did that once, it was an awful smell....burning teflon.

[kendt]

Yes removing the teflon is just one less thing to go wrong. Go up to .187 and you'll never look back.

[longballlumber]

Sure looks like there is rust in the flex cable. Are you sure you were performing the proper maintenance?

Later
Mike

[lv_reefer]

And by proper maintenance you mean? I grease it up for every run...

[lv_reefer]

antslake I didnt get much smell. I little smoke that left when the hatch opened but other than that nothing. Sounds like I need to up-size the shaft... Seems to be the concensus. The boat was out for a min or so at full tilt and and the motor and esc were 85deg f and 100 deg f. No indication of drag or friction. idk

[longballlumber]

interesting... Do you see the rust?

[lv_reefer]

Yes

[Basstronics]

Before putting your boat away after the days worth of runs YOU MUST remove the flex, clean it, dry it and re grease it. This prevents the rust and makes the boat water ready for the next time.

[keithbradley]

Usually when they break there (and take part of the stuffing tube in the process) it's from cable whip. It could be caused by your stuffing tube support coming loose from the tube, having too much play, or the clearance between the stuffing tube and flex being too great (in your case possibly the teflon needed to be replaced). The only other thing I've seen do that is when the tube/flex is too tight and creates excessive drag/heat.

[iop65]

also :

the only bend in the stuffing tube i can see is right where your home-made support is , here you're going to get more heat then everywhere else

in the picture you can also see that the plastic has melted

i would put in an other stuffing tube and make a bend with a bigger radius and grease the flex more often like has been suggested