Sestrel compass

[25931]

I have a gimballed compass nº 3772/D/GS/V made by Henry Browne & Son, Station Works, Barking, Essex.
Does anyone know the year of manufacture ? It has an air bubble so needs topping up - I suppose some sort of alcohol mixture ?

 

[VicS]

I have a gimballed compass nº 3772/D/GS/V made by Henry Browne & Son, Station Works, Barking, Essex.
Does anyone know the year of manufacture ? It has an air bubble so needs topping up - I suppose some sort of alcohol mixture ?

Get the correct fluid for it unless you want to risk wrecking it.

Sirs Navigation https://www.sirs.co.uk/ , ITYWF, now own the Sestrel brand but no doubt forumite Barry Phillips (?) at BPSC Marine will be able to help http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/


You will get a whole load of suggestions from the forum with no way of knowing whether or not they are suitable !

 

[Cockaigne]

http://bcookeandson.co.uk/services/compass-repair-and-certification

 

[JumbleDuck]

I have a gimballed compass nº 3772/D/GS/V made by Henry Browne & Son, Station Works, Barking, Essex.
Does anyone know the year of manufacture ? It has an air bubble so needs topping up - I suppose some sort of alcohol mixture ?

Early ones used a water/alcohol mix, for which SIRS suggested to me that neat gin would make a suitable top-up. Later ones used a Bayol oil from Esso, which is no longer available but for which SIRS sell a compatible substitute.

Their guidance to me on distinguishing between liquids was to open the filling plug and have a sniff. However, it's worth giving them a call, if only to stop VicS getting all fretful.

 

[25931]

Early ones used a water/alcohol mix, for which SIRS suggested to me that neat gin would make a suitable top-up. Later ones used a Bayol oil from Esso, which is no longer available but for which SIRS sell a compatible substitute.

Their guidance to me on distinguishing between liquids was to open the filling plug and have a sniff. However, it's worth giving them a call, if only to stop VicS getting all fretful.

I emailed an enquiry, received a request for a photo which I sent yesterday.

 

[25931]

I emailed an enquiry, received a request for a photo which I sent yesterday.

Their rapid reply tells me that it is filled with Isopar L.. Google gives the idea that it is used , amongst other purposes, for medical reasons but the local pharmacy (here in the Algarve) is unable to help.

 

[VicS]

Their rapid reply tells me that it is filled with Isopar L.. Google gives the idea that it is used , amongst other purposes, for medical reasons but the local pharmacy (here in the Algarve) is unable to help.

The safety data sheet says it is 100% " Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy "

Stoddard solvent appears to be the same.

White spirit is pretty much the same but may contain more aromatic compounds.

It does not appear to be a pharmaceutical product so not sure what gives you the idea that it has medical uses .

Have you tried BPSC Marine. They my be able to supply a small quantity.

 

[25931]

The safety data sheet says it is 100% " Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy "

Stoddard solvent appears to be the same.

White spirit is pretty much the same but may contain more aromatic compounds.

It does not appear to be a pharmaceutical product so not sure what gives you the idea that it has medical uses .

Have you tried BPSC Marine. They my be able to supply a small quantity.

Permethrin / Isopar-L for head lice
Permethrin / Isopar-L for scabies

 

[JumbleDuck]

Their rapid reply tells me that it is filled with Isopar L.. Google gives the idea that it is used , amongst other purposes, for medical reasons but the local pharmacy (here in the Algarve) is unable to help.

Intriguing. That's basically posh paraffin, which is - I think - a lot lighter than the Bayol which is normally quoted as the alternative to alcohol.

 

[25931]

Get the correct fluid for it unless you want to risk wrecking it.

Sirs Navigation https://www.sirs.co.uk/ , ITYWF, now own the Sestrel brand but no doubt forumite Barry Phillips (?) at BPSC Marine will be able to help http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/

Quite right and thanks for the info. Barry was great and I've just received some oil from him for a nominal price including postage - highly recommended.

 

[andygc]

Permethrin / Isopar-L for head lice
Permethrin / Isopar-L for scabies

Yes, but your compass is very unlikely to have head lice or scabies, so it doesn't need the permethrin. Isopar-L is not a medicinal product.

 

[VicS]

Get the correct fluid for it unless you want to risk wrecking it.

Sirs Navigation https://www.sirs.co.uk/ , ITYWF, now own the Sestrel brand but no doubt forumite Barry Phillips (?) at BPSC Marine will be able to help http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/

Quite right and thanks for the info. Barry was great and I've just received some oil from him for a nominal price including postage - highly recommended.

Thanks for the feed back. Fingers crossed that topping up sorts it out and that nothing else is wrong

 

[sailorman]

I have a gimballed compass nº 3772/D/GS/V made by Henry Browne & Son, Station Works, Barking, Essex.
Does anyone know the year of manufacture ? It has an air bubble so needs topping up - I suppose some sort of alcohol mixture ?

dont mess with it
contact
Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

 

[VicS]

dont mess with it
contact
Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

That is what he has done and just reported in #9 that he has received some of the correct oil from Barry !

 

[Daydream believer]

deleted

 

[Criscat]

I have a gimballed compass nº 3772/D/GS/V made by Henry Browne & Son, Station Works, Barking, Essex.
Does anyone know the year of manufacture ? It has an air bubble so needs topping up - I suppose some sort of alcohol mixture ?

Can you explain how to get the liquid inside. I have a Henry Browne & Son, Barking & London, #7476/V. I would like to assemble it on my boat.