Compass fluid

[AOWYN]

Does anybody know what kind of alcohol is used for filling compasses?

In particular an old Sestral hand-bearing compass which has white paint on the inside of the bowl and I seem to remember being warned that the wrong fluid will lift the paint.

Thanks in advance.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AndrewB]

Always worth doing a search on something like this: there is a fair bit of information about Sestrels in compass fluid threads HERE, HERE.

Older Sestrels used alcohol, later ones thin oil. It is important not to use the wrong thing.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Born_Free]

Glycerin works very well indeed, I've used it for years. You'll find it very difficult to buy alcohol. Chemists won't sell it to you. The glycerin tip came from an old ship's engineer I worked with years ago, and I must have put it in a dozen or more over the years, including my current compass, works a treat, and the damping is excellent.

<hr width=100% size=1>Born Free!
Now I'm expensive

 

[VicS]

Try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/>bpsc marine</A> or Sirs navigation

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[chippie]

Be careful, I ruined an old but good compass by putting alcohol in it. The alcohol ended up melting the acrylic dome.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AOWYN]

Re: Compass fluid THANKS

Thanks to all for speedy and helpful responses.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bpscmarine]

Do not put Glycerin in the compass it will ruin it! your compass is filled with Alcohol and purified water mixed 1 part Alcohol 2 parts water if there is a bubble it could be the sael is leaking use pure rubber if you replace it.
www.bpsc-marine.co.uk

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AOWYN]

Sorry to ask for more help, but precisely what alcohol? It seems to me that weak gin eg Gordons at 37.5%, is pretty close to one part alcohol and two parts water, which I would hope is pure, and gin might be easier to buy than asking a modern nany-state chemist to supply alcohol.

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>