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Compass Fluid Top-Up

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Klenchblaize

Klenchblaize

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 25, 2005
2,610
140
67
Greensand Ridge
I picked up a PLASTISOL Iris 50 Hand Bearing Compass (http://newcontent.westmarine.com/content/images/catalog/full/254658.jpg)
for £2.50 at a boot fair several years ago and recently removed the sealed unit from the rubber shroud to clean off mud and crud. At some point I inadvertently applied pressure to the base which released a small amount of fluid from what looked like a mini valve. The unit does not appear to be cracked and has not leaked further since re-assembling. There is however a large air pocket that makes use tricky if not held perfectly level.

Can this be retro filled and if so how and with what fluid?

Thanks


K
 
Last edited:
I refilled an old army compass with 90% alcohol, used a syringe and a fine needle. Sealed the opening with resin glue.
 
Plastimo use a petrol based spirit for their fluid, at least they did when i was at their factory in Lorient. Send them an email.
 
ozzy1977 said:
Plastimo use a petrol based spirit for their fluid, at least they did when i was at their factory in Lorient. Send them an email.
Click to expand...

I think Plastisol are telling me to bin it!

"complete the compass will not be the solution for a permanent repair, it should find the leak before filling with colorless oil.a permanent repair would be more expensive than the manufacture of a compass"
 
The Lady who replied is clearly from France and although her English is 100% better than my French, something has clearly been lost in translation.

I'm going to experiment with light clear oil, needle and a syringe.

K
 
That's exactly what I'd do, and I'd have both compass and oil very cold when doing it. Maybe seal it with a soldering iron or some such over the hole, if you can get the syringe into a plastic part?
 
Macaroon said:
That's exactly what I'd do, and I'd have both compass and oil very cold when doing it. Maybe seal it with a soldering iron or some such over the hole, if you can get the syringe into a plastic part?
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'd also place it heat as well to see if fluid expansion causes further leakage.
 
They would sound french, they are based in an old ww2 submarine base in Lorient on the French Atlantic coast. They still have a ww2 submarine on the tracks leading from the slipways in to the workshop.
 
For what you paid for the compass, you might as well do the definitive experiment and try to fill the bubble.
Skip the soldering iron. If you get the work done, a tiny dab of RTV Silicone bathtub caulking should seal the hole _and_
make it easier to do again, if needed.

Don't mess this up. I have two compasses of considerable emotional attachment, with bubbles.
 
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