Plastimo Contest Compass

[paulrossall]

Can anyone tell me which fluid to use to top up a Plastimo Contest compass? Previous post suggests either paraffin or gin depending upon what was originally in it but how do you tell whether it was a hydrocarbon based fluid or a alcohol based fluid that is in it?
Thanks.Paul.

 

[vyv_cox]

About 8 or 9 years ago I replaced the fluid in one of these. The fluid was definitely some sort of hydrocarbon. I used a special boiling range paraffin, laboratory stuff, but any clear paraffin should do.

 

[LeonF]

Look in Sailing Today--over the last couple of months there was a similar query with the name of a supplier of the recmomended fluid.

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[chippie]

If the dome is acrylic, alcohol based fluids will damage it. I had to replace my compass after the dome started to dissolve.

 

[ozzyb]

After having an air bubble in my contest compass. I found that Liquid parafin (available from chemists), was the compass fluid originally used by Plastimo.

 

[alla_breve]

Just refilled my Plastimo with Baby Oil (ingredients on bottle- "paraffinum liquidum" & "parfum")- works fine. Original fluid was clear paraffin. The Liquid Paraffin chemists sell looked a bit too viscous, and was more expensive! Used about 500ml.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Look in Sailing Today--over the last couple of months there was a similar query with the name of a supplier of the recmomended fluid.

The traditional oily compass fluid is Bayol. Last time I checked it was available from SIRS, who do Sestrel compasses. I phoned them for advice about my Sestrel Major, since they used both oil and alcohol at various times. "Open the drain and sniff" they said - I did, and it was clearly alcoholic, so I topped it up with gin.