Plastimo olympic 135 compass fluid refiliing

[mariog]

Has anybody ever refilled a plastimo olympic 135 compass, as mine developed a bubble after 10 years and Plastimo recommends to take it back to their service dealer, I thought I can do it myself by using the appropriate fluid, Any suggestions how to go about it are welcome.
thanks
Mario

 

[tim3057]

I have heard you could use Johnson's baby oil? Search on this forum - it's been covered before.

 

[bpscmarine]

we can sell you the liquid you need find us at www.bpsc-marine.co.uk

 

[seaesta]

There were Lots of threads on this in the dark and distant past when I had this problem. More talk of gin and baby oil than at a mothers reunion! Plus sailors tales about the Navy using pure alcohol and Arab dhows begging quantities at sea!

The concensus then was to use white spirit which I did and it worked a treat - several years on the compass is still full!

The only trick I would recommend is to womble a syringe from teh doctor, denisist or Vet and use this to fill the Compass - I found it impossible to get the bubble out in anyother way.
good luck
Martin

 

[Abigail]

Thanks to this forum's advice we contacted Sestrel (ours is an old compass and the makers were bought out by them) who sold us a bottle of refilling fluid at a v good price and it's worked fine. I felt more comfortable with this than mother's ruin!

We still have a small bubble we're working on. Our neighbours had this problem, took the compass off and put it in the fridge for a fortnight. No more bubble! Might be worth a try.

HTH

 

[mariog]

but before trying to refill the compass I want to know if I can do it as at the bottom of the compass there is a rubber seal held in place with about half a dozen screws and saying DO NOT FILL.
tnx Mario

 

[pvb]

If there\'s a bubble...

Mario, if there's a bubble, it's almost certain that there's a leak. If you fill it up without first fixing the leak, you'll be wasting your time. Best to get it checked out professionally.