Robbe SeaWolf V2 Prop Shaft

[junglelord]

Hi guys, I am trying to determine the source of a slight leak in my sub.
I believe it is the prop shaft entrance. For those of you familiar with the Robbe SeaWolf, the shaft is a long brass tube and there is no rubber boot. The prop screws on and a brass nut keeps it in position. I put vaseline at the end of the tube, behind the prop and the brass nut, and that seemed to help, but did not completely eliminate the leakage and got about 1 - 2 oz after an hours run time. As another member stated,

"I'm not sure how you would keep water from entering between the solid inner and hollow outer shafts at the propeller end of the boat..unless maybe the hollow shaft was packed with grease like a stuffing box."

Would I do that with a hypodermic needle? Is that how you stuff the tube with grease?

Is there a better way to seal the prop shaft on this type of sub? Should I put a washer behind the nut?
Thanks
Dean

[junglelord]

Anyone need a picture?
Any suggestions

Anyone need a picture?
Any suggestions from Robbe SeaWolf owners?
Or from members with prop shafts as I explained?
Would a O ring and/or a washer be practicle on this type of unit?
Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers
Dean

[Guest]

You need a shaft seal.

You need a shaft seal. You can use an o-ring, little bit high in friction, but will still do the business.

The other option is to use a Simmerring, which is basically a very small nitrile oil seal.

Some details of a conversion of the Robbe U47 here-

http://modelbrass.com/U47Internals-Shaft-Seals.htm

Dream Arts do a ready made version of this, which could probably be adapted for the Seawolf-

http://www.dream-arts.info/shopdata/007 ... index.html

The main snag with the Seawolf, is the gearbox, which may make fitting a shaft seal awkward.

[junglelord]

Excellent thread. I suspect that

Excellent thread. I suspect that this is my problem.
Your correct about the gear box and this potential fix.
I will keep an eye out today when I go to Ottawa, when I visit the local hobby store there and see if I can get myself on track.
THANKS for the reply
Cheers
Dean

[junglelord]

I was in Ottawa today.

I was in Ottawa today. Stopped in at the hobby shop in Orleans.
They had a Gato, actually several. One that was 54" but not by revell, whats the difference, if any? The Revell box was heavier.

Anyway I got some special packing grease.
He should me how to go about making a stuffing box.
Many thanks.
Dean

[junglelord]

Talked with aquadeep, over at

Talked with aquadeep, over at another forum,
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... 860&page=2

Looked at taking the shaft from the tube. The way its put together...


Not being to take out the prop shaft, I figured I would just install a grease nipple. I have to drill one or several small apperatures, then either continue in that fashion till I hit close to 3/16" (which was the smallest they carried at Canadian Tire), or stop and tap the rest out from a small bit opening. I need to solder and I think JB Weld over that. It can not go too deep due to the prop shaft. I figure I have to drill with gravity assist (upside down) and with a vacuum to not get any grindings in the shaft, which is why I think tapping is better then drilling all the way up.

My dad suggested making the grease nipple on a seperate piece that has enough height to sink the entire nipple (like in a normal situation) and then cut a section out of the brass tubing and solder that over.

Any suggestions? A smaller diamater base for the grease nipple would help, do they make smaller ones? Should I go with dads Idea, or just slightly sink the nipple?>