I need to refill my compass. Someone told me to frezze some denatured alcohol, and fill the compass back up. Is this true??? Apparently freezing it first will get it really cold so when you fill it, it will expand to fill entirely when it warms back up. I just can't remeber if it was dentured alcohol or not. Anyone know for sure???? Cheers TJ
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Contact Manufacturer
I think your first step is to contact the manufacturer and get additional liquid that was originally in the compass. Some have alcohol and some have a fine oil in them.
I think your first step is to contact the manufacturer and get additional liquid that was originally in the compass. Some have alcohol and some have a fine oil in them.
danforth compass refill
If you have a Danforth, I can give you the address of a place for repair. I had mine done on my Hunter 34. It was horrible shape and got a new card, liquid, etc for $75 epola73922@aol.com
If you have a Danforth, I can give you the address of a place for repair. I had mine done on my Hunter 34. It was horrible shape and got a new card, liquid, etc for $75 epola73922@aol.com
Light mineral oil
If you do try it yourself and find the compass contains oil, the favourite type to use is light mineral oil whic is available at most chemists or pharmecies.
If you do try it yourself and find the compass contains oil, the favourite type to use is light mineral oil whic is available at most chemists or pharmecies.
Fill 'er up
The contents of my compass turned green a few years ago. I bought compass oil from West Marine and refilled it myself. (My compass is by Danforth). First I drained the old oil out and then used a little of the new to rinse it a bit. After filling it and replacing the plug on the bottom, you invert it to trap the small residual air bubble and then turn it back over. Good as new!
The contents of my compass turned green a few years ago. I bought compass oil from West Marine and refilled it myself. (My compass is by Danforth). First I drained the old oil out and then used a little of the new to rinse it a bit. After filling it and replacing the plug on the bottom, you invert it to trap the small residual air bubble and then turn it back over. Good as new!
syringe
I've performed this operation before, and found it benificial to use a syringe to transfer the compass oil. Most chandleries will have them available. Do yourself a favor and replace the O-rings around the fill port, or you'll just have to repeat the job after the first time the compass heats up in the sun. And make certain to get ALL the bubbles out, because air expands when it gets hot and could result in a cracked compass once you hit the tropics.
I've performed this operation before, and found it benificial to use a syringe to transfer the compass oil. Most chandleries will have them available. Do yourself a favor and replace the O-rings around the fill port, or you'll just have to repeat the job after the first time the compass heats up in the sun. And make certain to get ALL the bubbles out, because air expands when it gets hot and could result in a cracked compass once you hit the tropics.
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