Judders
Well-Known Member
Or rather that drained out of my compass ball. I need to fill it nd was going to use de-ionised water until it was pointed out to me that it would freeze.
What should go in?
What should go in?
What is the liquid in my compass ball?
- Thread starter Judders
- Start date
richardf
Active Member
Alcohol usually. Check with the manufacturer.
Searush
Well-Known Member
I believe it is medical strength clear alcohol, try you local chemist.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
My old compass was a 2:1 mixture of distilled water and glycerine
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Does that mean you could use the alcohol you can buy in France for Origo type cookers?
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
I bet gin would do it. Course it would seem a bit of a waste...
alf1
Active Member
could be glycerine this is what we use in liquid filled pressure gauges If it tastes sweet it is glycerine if you get drunk its alcohol
garvellachs
Well-Known Member
We put turpentine in ours - that's what the old stuff smelled of. Alcohol started to dissolve the lettering on the card. I think it depends upon the compass type. If you post the type, others may be more specific?
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
This question comes up frequently, and the answer is it depends on make and model, Actionoptics who posts here may be able to help
colvic987
Well-Known Member
i have just removed a plastimo contest 101 from my boat, it has been leaking/evaporating for some time.
The liquid is greasy, so it is some sort of oil or spirit...you can get fill ups from a company down south, try searching thru this site, bsap or bsam, or something like that, sure a forumite will know the company...
The liquid is greasy, so it is some sort of oil or spirit...you can get fill ups from a company down south, try searching thru this site, bsap or bsam, or something like that, sure a forumite will know the company...
Judders
Well-Known Member
I beleive it is a plastimo.
Zed Nivel
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Or rather that drained out of my compass ball. I need to fill it nd was going to use de-ionised water until it was pointed out to me that it would freeze.
What should go in?
[/ QUOTE ]
as already said; taste it - you anyway have to open the screw. in my case unfortunatly it was not alcohol but white spirit ("lamp oil").
in order to avoid any bubbles -- put both your medium (never water) and the compass in the freeze some time before the filling...
good luck
Or rather that drained out of my compass ball. I need to fill it nd was going to use de-ionised water until it was pointed out to me that it would freeze.
What should go in?
[/ QUOTE ]
as already said; taste it - you anyway have to open the screw. in my case unfortunatly it was not alcohol but white spirit ("lamp oil").
in order to avoid any bubbles -- put both your medium (never water) and the compass in the freeze some time before the filling...
good luck
colvic987
Well-Known Member
VicS
Well-Known Member
I believe Plastimo used one of a range of Esso "Bayol" products which is no longer available. Neil_S who visits the forum now and then successfuly used ordinary paraffin as the replacement. (I might have prefered barbeque lighting fluid as a somewhat more highly refined alternative)
Some compasses use white spirit, some we are told use alcohol.
It is important to use the correct fluid or its replacement as in the case of Bayol. Use something that strips the printing off the card and you are stuffed. Use something too viscous like liquid paraffin, baby oil or glycerine and you may end up with a compass that is hopelessly sluggish, or use a mobile liquid in a compass that should have something more viscous and it will not be effectively damped.
The only sensible advice you can be given is to get the correct fluid from a compass repairer. Our resident BPSC Marine has been mentioned. Sirs Navigation has been mentioned in the past (Google will find them)
Some compasses use white spirit, some we are told use alcohol.
It is important to use the correct fluid or its replacement as in the case of Bayol. Use something that strips the printing off the card and you are stuffed. Use something too viscous like liquid paraffin, baby oil or glycerine and you may end up with a compass that is hopelessly sluggish, or use a mobile liquid in a compass that should have something more viscous and it will not be effectively damped.
The only sensible advice you can be given is to get the correct fluid from a compass repairer. Our resident BPSC Marine has been mentioned. Sirs Navigation has been mentioned in the past (Google will find them)
Judders
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Or rather that drained out of my compass ball. I need to fill it nd was going to use de-ionised water until it was pointed out to me that it would freeze.
What should go in?
[/ QUOTE ]
as already said; taste it - you anyway have to open the screw. in my case unfortunatly it was not alcohol but white spirit ("lamp oil").
in order to avoid any bubbles -- put both your medium (never water) and the compass in the freeze some time before the filling...
good luck
[/ QUOTE ]
Forgive the question, but when did you learn to identify white spirit by taste?
[ QUOTE ]
Or rather that drained out of my compass ball. I need to fill it nd was going to use de-ionised water until it was pointed out to me that it would freeze.
What should go in?
[/ QUOTE ]
as already said; taste it - you anyway have to open the screw. in my case unfortunatly it was not alcohol but white spirit ("lamp oil").
in order to avoid any bubbles -- put both your medium (never water) and the compass in the freeze some time before the filling...
good luck
[/ QUOTE ]
Forgive the question, but when did you learn to identify white spirit by taste?
Zed Nivel
Well-Known Member
Oh .. better watch ones tounge thats for sure!
samwise
Well-Known Member
Not really worth the hassle, unless the wartime make do and mend spirit runs thickly in your veins. Tried to refill Plastimo bulkhead and a handheld a while back and it was never really satisfactory. There used to be a place near Lowestoft that would do a professional overhaul but the price was close to renewal. Contests are pretty cheap and with a new one you get a nice bright card and a globe that is not scratched and UV degraded. As the compass is a pretty crucial safety item I would say that the replacement cost is more than justified.
richardandtracy
Well-Known Member
I don't go in for 'Wartime make-do and mend'. I do, however, try to go as far as I can for every pound I spend. Not spending £30 on a new compass means I have £26 to build a new dingy for the kids to play with, £1 to repair the compass and £3 for a drink.
Regards
Richard.
Regards
Richard.
