Oil bath

[Guest]

The oil in my echo sounder oil bath appears to have evaporated and the instructions say that any oil will do to replace it, but I am dubious.

Once on one of these forums I read that a stainless thingy seized to an alloy thingy could be freed by immersion in vinegar. I tried this. After more than a day in one of my finest balsamicas (a de Modena no less) there was no freedom.

Hence I am reluctant to fill a gungy plastic tube bonded to the grotty inner hull of my boat with a nice fruity, peppery Umbrian extra virgin. I would not even dismiss a Tuscan in such a manner. What am I to do?

While I hope to be amused by the responses, if any, I would actually really like to know what kind of oil to use.

Deepest thanks

Jonah

 

[ccscott49]

My goodness! Balsamic won't do, wonderful for reduced sauces, but doesn't have the strength of good old fashioned Sarsons malt or pickling variety! (nicked form the local chippy) Unless of course its italian stainless, with pasta and carbonara sauce! I haven't actually heard of using vinegar before, I suppose people are thinking about the acetic acid, didn't know it would dissolve aluminium oxide, but I guess it could, I seem to thinkl I remember in the dim and distant past, it was a way of removing anodising?? but the only way I've ever freed the two is heat and a large hammer. The oil, Extra virgin is the only way to go for a caesar salad with thin strips of pancetta, but any olive, cooking, castor or any other thin oil will do! Some people even use brine, after pickling their herring in it first of course! Just make sure the head is under the level of oil. By the way I doubt it evaporated, unless in very hot climates, it probably leaked away, so check for leaks (and any other vegetables) before re-filling. Good luck!

 

[yoda]

Oil bath indeed

Being one who wouldn't waste any edible product without very good reason I have been using God's finest saline solution for 25 years with no problem what so ever. Keep the oil to mix with the balsamic for a summer dressing on large bowls of salad.

Yoda

 

[kingfisher]

Pasta
Virgin olive oil and balsamic acid

Boat stuff
Baby Oil and Coca-Cola

Coke is better than vinegar:
On top of the acidity, you get the fizzle effect for free. SS stanchions in alu feet pods ? Just let it soak in 3l of coke (don't know wheather it has to be the real thing, though) and give it a good whack.

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[JerryHawkins]

Use caster oil

Use caster oil as obtainable from your local Boots - about £7 for 500ml. This is recommended by the transducer manufacturers themselves (Airmar make most of the ones supplied with major kit eg Raymarine and Simrad). It is a clear and quite "thick" oil which wont aerate easily. You should leave it for 24 hours after you have poured it into the "bath" for any air bubbles to work their way to the surface. Dip your transducer into some oil in another container to "wet" the transducer head; let the excess drip off then slowly lower the transducer into the "bath". The idea is not to introduce any air bubbles.

Cheers, Jerry

 

[Guest]

Use Castor oil, you dont need much and should last nearly forever!

 

[Aja]

Safeway's own brand extra virgin olive oil did the trick for me. You dont need very much. I poured in a layer of about 1/2" put the transducer in and then added another 1/2" for comfort. Returned the bottle to the galley before anyone noticed.

Donald

 

[VMALLOWS]

Re: Use caster oil

500ml !! How many sounders do you have to re-fill? It's amusing enough explaining why I want 100ml. A kind pharmacy on the IOW did give me an out-of -date bottle when I was desperate on the strict condition it was only for the echo-sounder!.

(for the benefit of younger listeners, Castor Oil is an ancient, rather effective, purgative).

More to the point, because my sounder well was leaking, I did try various oils that were on board ..... olive; 2-stroke; engine...... they all seemed to suffer from aeration. All is fine now I'm back to Castor.

I'll try the sea water suggestion next time also.