What is the fluid in a plastimo compass?
Until 2001, Ritchie compasses were filled with a high quality odorless mineral spirits. Ritchie now uses a fluid called Isopar L® that has similar properties but some added benefits over odorless mineral spirits.
How do you change the fluid in a marine compass?
Hold the compass in one hand and pick up the syringe with the other hand. Insert the tip of the syringe into the fill hole of the compass and inject enough compass oil into the compass to fill it. Gently jostle the compass as before to ensure that there are no other trapped air bubbles in the compass.
What is the liquid in a magnetic compass?
Magnetic compass. Modern compasses usually use a magnetized needle or dial inside a capsule completely filled with a liquid (lamp oil, mineral oil, white spirits, purified kerosene, or ethyl alcohol are common).
How will you refill the air bubbles in magnetic compass?
In most compasses:
- Tilt the bowl until the “filter hole” comes upper most. This hole is provided on the side of the bowl.
- Unscrew the stud/screw provide.
- Top up with ethyl alcohol. If this is not available distilled water would be added.
- Screw the stud/screw back into place.
- Gently let the bowl return to upright.
Can you refill a Silva compass?
Yes you can replace it YOURSELF I contacted the agents for my compass and bought a bottle of spare fluid.
Can you use baby oil in a compass?
Mineral oil, and or, JandJ Baby Oil and mineral spirits should not be used together. If you own a Ritchie compass you should not use mineral oil.. Some older, very older, Danforth Constellation series compasses used Mineral Oil but they too switched to odorless mineral spirits. Odorless Mineral Spirits is CHEAP !!!!
Where are plastimo compasses made?
Lorient, France
Navimo USA, formerly Plastimo USA, is the North American importer of Plastimo compasses, which are manufactured in Lorient, France.
How do I fix the compass on my boat?
Remove the compass from the housing base and disassemble the compass by removing the screws that hold the dome in place. Drain the fluid and remove the old gaskets. Lift the old pivot and jewel out of the compass and replace it. Replace the gasket with a new one.
Can you refill a compass?
You can put off an inevitable repair by refilling the compass yourself. Compass oil can be purchased from most compass repair facilities, marine retailers, or online. To make filling the compass easier, you need a very small funnel or purchase one of the large syringes designed to inject epoxy, such as the West System.
What is the purpose of alcohol in the fluid of magnetic compass?
In cold climate, the ethyl alcohol will prevent the mixture from freezing. The mixture has low coefficient of expansion (as mainly water is there) and the mixture is clear.
What are the materials and tools to remove the air bubbles in magnetic compass?
In most compasses the bubble can be removed as stated below:
- Tilt the bowl unit the “filler hole” on the side of the bowl comes uppermost.
- Unscrew the stud fitted on the hole.
- Top up with ethyl alcohol and/ or distilled water using a dropper.
- Refit the stud in the hole.
- Gently return the bowl to the upright position.
What should I do if my Plastimo compass is leaking?
The cell of the Plastimo compasses is designed to be completely fluid filled. If you see a permanent bubble, in a temperature range from –20° to +60°C, it means that your compass is leaking (as the fluid tends to evaporate, you may not have noticed the leak). Contact our after-sales department for advice.
Why is there a bubble on my Plastimo compass?
The cell of the Plastimo compasses is designed to be completely fluid filled. If you see a permanent bubble, in a temperature range from –20° to +60°C, it means that your compass is leaking (as the fluid tends to evaporate, you may not have noticed the leak).
Is it possible to repair or replace the dome of my compass?
If you see a permanent bubble, in a temperature range from –20° to +60°C, it means that your compass is leaking (as the fluid tends to evaporate, you may not have noticed the leak). Contact our after-sales department for advice. The dome of my compass is damaged. Is it possible to repair or replace it? Replacing the dome is not possible.
What is the best compass for sailboats?
The No. 1 sailboat compass worldwide : double reading & large crisp card in bulkhead mount.. Sailboats 9 m and more. XXL card and top legibility : the choice of Golden Globe Race sailors.