Compass on steel boat

[beserksail]

Steel boat with fluxgate compass half way up mast, model VDO Adis 360. The housing is opened with 6 self tappers in top plate and is part filled with oil but no indication of levels.
No instructions, so has anyone any info on this model, I think it is about 20 years old. T.I.A.

 

[pvb]

It's a fluid-damped fluxgate. Is there a reason why you think the fluid level might not be correct?

 

[beserksail]

It's a neighbours boat and he says that the readout is eratic where it was smooth before and he was told by someone with the same unit that they had to top up the oil to fix the problem. This sounds feasible but with no info available we are hoping someone can help.

 

[William_H]

Compass oil level

Witha normal compass they fill them right up so no air bubble to avert any swurling of the fluid. I could only think this flux gate type should also be filled completely ie no air bubbles. good luck olewill

 

[pvb]

Witha normal compass they fill them right up so no air bubble to avert any swurling of the fluid. I could only think this flux gate type should also be filled completely ie no air bubbles. good luck olewill

Normal compasses are filled completely to ensure visual clarity. The VDO unit in the OP is only fluid-damped, so as long as the fluid covers the gimballed fluxgate sensor, it should be OK.

 

[beserksail]

Thanks for replies.

 

[beserksail]

On neighbours boat today and when walking forward or to std side the vdo compass swings nearly 180 deg, which makes us think that the fluxgate sensor is sticking. What kind of oil to top up ?