Compass Fluid Whoopsi

[Roach1948]

My old Plastimo compass had an annoying bubble above the compass card and I decided it needed topping up. There is a screw hole at the bottom for filling. Anyway, after some research I came to the conclusion that the compass was filled with alcohol. I then proceeded to top it up and to my horror the alcohol lay there in suspension! The original liquid was NOT alcohol but some clear greasy oily stuff! I told plastimo about my whoopsi and they said buy a new compass (which they would wouldnt they?) and they did not reveal the correct liquid I needed. The whole thing is now drained, and the alcohol has evaporated. I think I can salvage my compass by refilling. Anybody any ideas what liquid I should fill it with?
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Tekkie]

Try theze http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/in/compasses.html

Hope this helps

Brian

 

[Roach1948]

Many thanks. I have sent a message to them to see if their kits are alcohol or oily stuff. The thing is that there is still oily stuff in the compass and I dont think putting more alcohol in would work as I will get oily droplets in suspension. So ideally I need some more of that Plastimo oily stuff that they dont sell!

 

[Slow_boat]

I've heard that baby oil works well in Plastimo compasses.

After all, all you're trying to no is damp the movement a bit.

I wouldn't worry about a slight air bubble, there's supposed to be one.

 

[DavidTocher]

There were posts about compass fluids not long ago. I remember that baby oil is OK but a bit viscous. If I remember correctly Plastimo use a paraffin type oil but do check.

 

[Roach1948]

FYI
Quote:
The only thing we know of is Kerosene, you should be able to buy that
locally
Regards,

Aircraft Spruce

www.aircraftspruce.com

 

[PBooth]

Hi, I have used white spirit and it mixes perfectly with the original fluid, cheap too!

Peter

 

[fishermantwo]

Propylene Glycol. I have used it in a Plastimo and an old brass compass with perfect results.

 

[VicS]

Plastimo compasses did use an Esso product called Bayol, at least one of a range of Bayol, I believe It is no longer available though. Neil_S topped up a plastimo compass successfully with kerosene but I would have used barbeque lightingfluid in preference as our analytical chemists found that to be virtually identical.

Some compasses contain white spirit which I would expect to be equally suitable.

Baby oil is more viscous and altthough it might be acceptable for a small top up a complete refill will probably result in a compass that is too sluggish. Medicinal liqiud paraffin likewise.

The only sound advice is that you contact a professional compass repairer such as Sirs Navigation or our own BPSC Marine for the correct fluid. The use of a totally unsuitable fluid could wreck the compass.

 

[Rick]

I had a Plastimo Offshore compass with about a 100mm card, that appeared (to smell) to be filled with mineral turpentine (enamel paint thinner here in Oz) - is that what is being called white spirits?
BTW it worked fine after filling, although I used a fair amount as I resorted to holding compass in a bucket of turps to fill by letting air bubble out.

 

[yobbo]

A lot of compasses, liquid filled gauges etc are filled with glycerine as it as shock absorbing charteristics

 

[William_H]

perhaps you wouldn't notice the difference but air bubbles no matter how small are bad. A compass could be usable with nop fluid. The air bubble however enables the fluid to move within the bowl.
Professionals will put the compass in a container of fluid then evacuate the container to encourage the dissipation of any dissolved air then seal while under the fluid. To ensure no bubbles..... olewill

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

[ QUOTE ]
Professionals will put the compass in a container of fluid then evacuate the container to encourage the dissipation of any dissolved air then seal while under the fluid. To ensure no bubbles

[/ QUOTE ]
Did you eat a dictionary for breccy this morning ?! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Platimo are right.

Get a new one, they look good and you don't have to mess around with oily fluids.

However whilst you have the messy beast apart, you can try almost any fluid. When one of mine leaked, the fluid stunk of a parafin kind of smell.

It leaked all over the bulkheads, so I was pleased to dump the wretched thing and now have a smart clean compass instead.

Enjoy.

 

[ozzyb]

I had this problem a few years ago with a plastimo contest type. After much research was recomended and used Liquid Parafin, available from chemists. After a bit of difficulty I got hold of a syringe to inject the parafin in through the hole it was a lot less messy. It mixed well with the original and never a problem since.

 

[Roach1948]

Well maybe Plastimo are right, but much to their regret I wont be looking at their leaky compass's though. My bubble was HUGE, and touched the card on a heel, so it probably affected course. The worrying thing is that all this oily stuff leaked out at some stage but I can't see any evidence of oily residue.

 

[jmp]

3 yrs ago topped mine with turps .Fine ever since,but needs topping again.

 

[bpscmarine]

Contact us and we can supply you with the correct fluid
www.bpsc-marine.co.uk

 

[srp]

Whatever fluid you choose, put it in the freezer for a while to cool it down. When you pour it in the compass and put the seal on it will be under slight pressure keeping any air bubbles dissolved (is that the right word?) in the liquid. Just like a bottle of fizzy pop, they'll only re-appear when you take the lid off again (hopefully not for several years).

 

[Topcat47]

Air in a compass is indicative of a seal failure. Topping up is a short term measure only. Plastimo compasses are so cheap that it is not usually worth the cost of having them professionally refurbished. (Please note I wrote "cheap" not "nasty".....I've been advised that they represent excellent value for money by a professional adjuster.)