Magnetic compass fluid

[Des_Beechey]

I have a Saura brand magnetic compass. It has a small bubble in it, and needs topping up. Does anyone know what the fluid in it is?

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[tim3057]

I'm sorry I don't, but will interested to know how you manage it. I have the same problem.

<hr width=100% size=1>Wayfarer Woodie done, now I need a new fix..

 

[Rohorn]

Hi....I'm told Johnson's baby oil works fine....but I didn't get to use it myself, mine was too far gone and so I replaced the whole thing...cheers..R

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[tugboat]

SIRS Navigation make and repair compasses and would be able to advise. They are on 01474-816320

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[MarkJohnson]

I have just replaced a Plastimo bulkhead compass that was leaking a fluid thats smell very much like terpentine.

I did not consider repairing it as it must over 20 years old. A brand new shiny compass in the bulhead now and looks really good.

So good in fact that I am going to replace the other matching compass in the other bulhead!

Wish I could have repaired the first one now.

Regards


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[VicS]

The question of fluid for compasses has been raised several times on the forum and a search or two should uncover what has been said before but as quite a variety of fluids are used the only real answer is to find out from the manufacturer or a repairer what the correct one is. Using the wrong one could be terminal.

A friend used liquid parafin regularly to top up a leaky unit in an old Seacourse until it became too sluggish. Then we swapped to using barbeque lighting fluid until I read the instruction book and discovered that the correct fluid was white spirit.

One forumite discovered that the fluid for his compass was bay tree oil but settled for using paraffin.

Sirs Navigation has already been mentioned. BPSC Marine (another forumite) is another. A search should find them.

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

 

[jeffro]

Has been known when topped up with what was thought to be the right fluid all the numbers were floating around in the compass next day not to good after a night on the town Jeffro

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[bpscmarine]

Des I have just found your thread, and read some of the answers. DO NOT try to fill the compass until you discover if the liguid in spirit or oil based the result if you do not is a new compass, you would not believe the liquids we find in compasses that get returned for service.
www.bpsc-marine.co.uk

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[VicS]

Like I said terminal!

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