Compass fluid nearly gone.

[Contest1]

Just spotted this, is it worth repairing or should I go for a replacment?

 

[Uricanejack]

Just spotted this, is it worth repairing or should I go for a replacment?

Depends on make and sise
A good compass. yes
as long as you can read the card clearly
If you can find a compass adjuster near your location.
the compass itself should be ok. the casing is probabaly leaking at the seal between the perspex and the housing steel is cheper to repair than the alluminum.

 

[Seajet]

I had a Plastimo Contest porthole compass suddenly leak on me, which was rather awkward as I was in fog, the ships' battery had already packed up in a big way and the depth contours are not good where I was, I didn't fancy steering with the tiller between my knees with hand bearing compass to my eye and spanner on a line for sounding !

Had to head for shallow water out of the channel and spend an anxious night at anchor...

As mentioned, if it's an expensive compass it's probably worth refilling, if something like a Contest replace it as soon as a bubble appears, seriously.

 

[sailorman]

As #2
send it to Barry

Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

 

[ffiill]

If its got a filler cap-Smirnoff and a sringe-both my Sestrals have been refilled this way.

 

[lenseman]

If its got a filler cap-Smirnoff and a sringe-both my Sestrals have been refilled this way.

. . . and I nearly suggested Guinness !!



.

 

[VicS]

As #2
send it to Barry

Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

Agreed

Send it to Barry or a compass repairer of your choice.

Various people will suggest a variety of fluids but choosing the wrong one for your particular compass could wreck it beyond economic repair.

I have wrecked one by topping it up with alcohol. I know white spirit was the correct fluid for another. Some Plastimo compasses contain one of the Esso Bayol fluids ( which is nla) but I know one forumite who successfully used domestic paraffin in its place.

 

[Contest1]

. . . and I nearly suggested Guinness !!



.

Could try some potcheen, uisce beatha, now its legal.
Thanks all for the advice

 

[nigelmercier]

Just spotted this, is it worth repairing or should I go for a replacment?

You can do it yourself, but only with the proper stuff.

Before anyone suggests fluids that will work, see this: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?350375-Suunto-Compass-Isopar-M-fluid&p=4071622#post4071622

What compass is it? If you do it yourself, do take some pictures.

 

[pvb]

If it's lost fluid, it has a leak. There's no point refilling it unless the leak is repaired first. Often, it's a leak in the expansion chamber. So it needs professionally sorting, if it's worth doing.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Just spotted this, is it worth repairing or should I go for a replacment?

Just drink gin like the rest of us.