Leaking Plastimo Contest 101

[Chiliblue]

Hi,

I have searched for this but only found more and more confusion...

My compass is very low on fluid... annoying as it is relatively new and unused purchased a couple of years ago and fitted last year, possibly still under warranty as I believe they have a 5 year warranty. Not sure of the current status of Plastimo (they were going through bankruptcy last time I looked)

Looking at the forums they are prone to leaking but can anyone tell me what fluid they take incase it is just a matter of refilling. I won't really know what the issue is until I remove it from the bulkhead but be nice if I can just remove fix and fill and reinstall in the day.

Thanks in advance.

 

[neil_s]

My Contest lost about one third of it's fluid before I found that it was simply the filler screw that had worked loose. There has been lots of comment on what to use to top up, Bay tree oil, White spirit and Paraffin all mentioned. I used Paraffin - the white lamp oil that you can buy in the garage in a plastic can. When I added the Paraffin to the compass, I could see swirling in the liquid which might indicate that the top-up fluid was of a different refractive index to the original contents - and thus might be incorrect! I also made a new gasket for the filler screw before tightening it up carefully - the compass body is plastic, after all. Ten years on, the compass is still in fine condition and has not leaked again.

 

[VicS]

Bay tree oil,

One of the range of Esso "Bayol" oils was the original IIRC Neil. NLA though

Good to hear that the lamp oil you used has proved successful. Been meaning to ask but always forget when I see you.

To Chiliblue
Follow Neil's example if you wish ( I probably would) but the only totally sound advice you can be given is to obtain the correct ( or suitable substitute ) fluid from a compass repairer Eg forum member Barry Philips at http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/

Those in the trade are very rude about people who use white spirit, paraffin etc to top up their compasses

 

[Chiliblue]

Thanks for the advice guys, My boat portsmouth way so probably best to yank out the compass and seek advice from Mr Phillips.

 

[scotts_mist]

When I added the Paraffin to the compass, I could see swirling in the liquid which might indicate that the top-up fluid was of a different refractive index to the original contents - and thus might be incorrect!

A quick tip when working out whether it's safe to use any particular fluid to top up the compass, is to withdraw a small amount of the existing solution and mix it with what you are planning to fill it up with in a separate container. Then you can check it doesn't "milk up" or separate, before committing to potentially ruining the compass. Ink cartridge type re-fill syringes generally work well to withdraw the fluid.

 

[Chiliblue]

A quick tip when working out whether it's safe to use any particular fluid to top up the compass, is to withdraw a small amount of the existing solution and mix it with what you are planning to fill it up with in a separate container. Then you can check it doesn't "milk up" or separate, before committing to potentially ruining the compass. Ink cartridge type re-fill syringes generally work well to withdraw the fluid.

At the rate it was losing fluid...I doubt there will be any in by the next time I'm at the boat. The full irony is it was the first time I have used the compass. Fitted a year ago but only just finished the refit and sailing back to the home port.

Tom

 

[VicS]

At the rate it was losing fluid...I doubt there will be any in by the next time I'm at the boat. The full irony is it was the first time I have used the compass. Fitted a year ago but only just finished the refit and sailing back to the home port.

Tom

Well worth getting it refilled with the correct fluid then .....
But
I notice you say it may still be under warranty . Plastimo have risen from the ashes so try them. Nothing to lose and you might get a brand new compass

http://www.plastimo.com/en/

 

[chewi]

Well worth getting it refilled with the correct fluid then .....
But
I notice you say it may still be under warranty . Plastimo have risen from the ashes so try them. Nothing to lose and you might get a brand new compass

http://www.plastimo.com/en/

If not then use Johnsons baby oil from chemist. It smells the same and mixes ok.
good advice above about extracting the real stuff and mixing with the new to prove it.
Once you have a bubble the thermal expansion of air will increase the pressure pushing the fluid out of whatever leak you have, so best so fix the leak if you can.

 

[Chiliblue]

Well worth getting it refilled with the correct fluid then .....
But
I notice you say it may still be under warranty . Plastimo have risen from the ashes so try them. Nothing to lose and you might get a brand new compass

http://www.plastimo.com/en/

Update.

Barry doesn't touch them as he has had issues with them in the past "They just get worse"

So phone call to plastimo, nice french man told me it wasn't problem just take to Bainbridge (uk plastimo distro), call to Bainbridge... told to call the store I purchased it from two years ago, call to store "we don't stock them anymore, call Bainbridge", Spoke to another person at Bainbridge who in the end agreed that if I took it to them they would deal with it.

Just have to row out to the boat and remove it but I had no idea it had a 5 year warranty so I can't complain, I was a little hesitant buying the same model to replace it but its mounted into the bulkhead so...

Tom